Gardening with the Kids

Green Thumbs for Little Ones

Mary, Mary, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row

Gardens provide so many things. Food. Flowers. Shade. Shelter. A place to plant. A place to play. Think of gardening as a chance to connect with your kids while doing something tangible, something that they can see and feel and smell. The youngest family members can plant right alongside the adults, making them feel not only helpful, but also creative and accomplished.

Make sure your kid has a gardening set all his or her own: a pair of gloves, a watering can, a shovel, and so on. Don't forget to include sunblock, a hat with a wide brim, and a water bottle as well! Everyone working in the garden should be well-protected from the sun and the heat.

When deciding which flowers to plant, there are various factors to consider. Find out how much time, work, water and sunlight different types of flowers need, and compare it to your schedule, your soil and your backyard space. It is totally understandable if a child selects flowers based on color alone. Adults do the same thing, after all! Also think about any family allergies when selecting seeds. If you have cats, you should plant some alyssum and catnip so you can give your furry friends a special snack.

When selecting fruits and vegetables to plant, talk to your children about nutrition. Ask them what foods they think are good for them to see if they have a good perception of healthy foods. After you grow those delicious fruits and veggies, you can create your own fresh salads, juices and smoothies. Garden favorites such as tomatoes and carrots typically only need to be washed before eaten, which the kids can do themselves, then pack them into their lunches or enjoy a yummy afterschool snack.