Planting Kids In Your Garden
Many kids learn to garden from watching and helping their parents. But beyond asking them to pull weeds and push around the dirt, you can actually give them a spot to have their own garden. This is how to foster a love for gardening that will last them a lifetime. Children really can grow a decent garden, but it's going to depend on their age as well as other factors such as attention span and physical abilities.
To start your kids along the path of gardening, you've first got to plant them in the garden, so to speak. Expose them to all aspects, from beginning to end. First off, start small. Your children may think they want to grow everything under the sun, but they will soon become overwhelmed when it's time to water and weed the area. It's better to start smaller and make the area bigger each year as they grow more responsible.
Once you've decided on the space they can claim as their own, it's time to pick out the seeds or seedlings. You can go to the nursery and let them pick from the seed packets. Chances are they'll pick from the most colorful pictures on the fronts. Another idea is to give them limited choices, which you can give them based on what grows best in your area. It's better to give them something that grows easily and quickly.
If your kids have real short attention spans or are pretty young, it's best to start with seedlings rather than seeds. That way the time is shorter from planting to table or flower vase.
Tip - Kids love to harvest things that grow underground like carrots and potatoes. They're big hits because it's like digging for buried treasure.
When spending time in the garden, try to make a ritual of you and your child(ren) looking it over every morning. There's something a bit magical about walking through the garden in the cool, new hours of the day. Plus it's a good bonding ritual with the young people you love.
Kids have honest intentions, but they do get bored rather quickly. My suggestion is to stop working in the garden before they get antsy. Leave it while they're still eager and they'll look forward to getting their hands dirty again the next day.
Waiting for plants to grow takes forever to a child. Allow them to take the ruler out every 3rd day or so and measure the plant. They can even chart it if they want. Having the important responsibility of watering the plants everyday also eases the wait time.
Keep it safe. Remember to put away your sharp gardening implements when you're through so junior doesn't throw the pitchfork like a spear or use the shears to etch a smiley face in the deck. Make sure all fertilizers are stored up and out of reach.
Gardening may be your life-long love, but not your kids'. Nurture their natural curiosity by planting your kids in the garden and showing them what it's all about with their own garden patch.
