Gardening for kids
March 25th, 2008
Getting youngsters interested in gardening is a great way for them to get some fresh air and to do something that will interest them. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get them started and it’s a great way for them to appreciate their surroundings. In this blog post I’ll describe a few fun ideas that will help you when introducing a child to the wonders of the gardening world.
Planting bulbs is a good place to start, especially if you make it fun by having them plant them so that when they grow they spell out their name. Popular bulbs to use are daffodils, crocosmia and anemone de Caen to name but a few. This not only will keep the kids busy but will also give them a point of interest over the coming months as they admire their handy work.
Another little project for younger kids is to get them to make a spiky grass head. All you’ll need is a pair of old tights, string, sawdust and grass seed. First cut a length from the leg and then cut of the foot so that you have a tube, then tie a knot in the one end. Once you’ve done that pour a handful of grass seed down to the knotted end and then pack in some sawdust. Create a ball from the grass seed and sawdust mix using your hands and tie off the other end. Soak the ball with water, squeeze out the excess and stand in a bowl with a little water in. After several days the grass will germinate and after a few weeks the ball should have a good amount of hair which can be trimmed into different styles.
Growing produce can also be a fun project for the young, and there’s no easier thing to grow than potatoes. Around March there are plenty of seed potatoes available. If you wanted to you could have a look around at the different seed kits that are on the market. These kits typically come with a sowing tray, compost, seeds, colouring cards and crayons. They are aimed at youngsters and allow them to grow such favourites as water cress and sunflowers.
If your child shows an interest in gardening why not give them their own plot of land in your garden. It doesn’t have to be a large area but try and make it so it’s in a sunny spot. It’s a good idea to help them start off by clearing the area of weeds and other obstacles. Giving them their own plot will help instil some responsibility for keeping it tidy and functional.
Hopefully these few ideas will help you to get started in showing your kids that gardening can be fun. You’ll also be getting them out of the house and into the fresh air.
Leave Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.