Gardening with the Kids & Grandkids

Information brought to you by Mitre10.

Encouraging children to garden is an excellent way for them to learn about many new things, from the weather, to insects and how to look after the land.

There are many simple activities which can be both fun and useful. With a little bit of help and encouragement, you will see how your children can even have the satisfaction of making a contribution to those eternal favourite summer salads.

There are a number of ways to approach gardening for kids. You could devote a particular area to them, where they can grow veggies or flowers, or, if you don`t have patch suitable, troughs, half wine barrels or pots will do instead. They could even embark on a sunflower growing competition to see who can grow the tallest plant or biggest flower.

I generally find it`s easier for kids to sow seeds for their plants directly where they will grow, as little fingers can struggle with transplanting small delicate seedlings, and action can happen so much quicker if roots are left undisturbed.

Flowers to Grow

Try some of the following flowers to grow (they are my favourites) - Snapdragons, Sunflowers, Daffodils, and Sweet Peas. Some of them are ones that I had in my garden patch as a child.

Child Friendly Veggies

Many vegetables that are generally found in the garden can take a long time to grow, and as all parents know, most children are impatient to have some immediate action.

Radishes are very quick to germinate, can be planted most of the year, and are so much fun to watch growing. It`s best to sow the seeds directly into the soil (whether vegie patch or trough), and with regular watering, they will sprout up in a matter of days to everyone`s delight. Daily checks on the seedlings will not disappoint as the radishes emerge at the top of the soil surface, and grow so quickly.

Carrots are another favourite in my household, can be sown all year round (in warmer climates) and, although they take a bit longer to germinate, they will need thinning quite soon, and this is a great task for kids. These thinnings can even be used in salads.

Garden with the Kids - Outdoor Gardening - Gardening - how to guide from Mitre 10 New Zealand.

If growing things really isn`t up your child`s alley, consider the other tasks that they can be involved in. Scarecrows are always fun, and although they may not fool the birds, they can bring new life to any area of the garden. Collect clothing materials from op shops to make them up.

Potato Man

Make a potato man sprout hair..create a face with other veggies - eyes, ears, nose and mouth and make a hole in the top of the potato and plant cress seeds (always good in a salad!) In no time at all the seeds will sprout and your spud man will have hair. Wooden skewers or toothpicks can be useful to help stand your man up.

Insects

Perhaps insects and creepy crawlies interest your children more? My brother and I used to spend hours on end hunting for snails to have snail races, just don`t ask what mum did with them when we`d finished! But I`m sure that in the end it helped with the gardening.

There are so many interesting insects out during the summer months - cicadas leave cast -off skins on trees, all sorts of moths and butterflies are about.

You could plant a Swan plant, always easy to grow and make a home for monarch butterflies and do your bit for nature! Monarchs are excellent fun to watch land, lay eggs and develop through caterpillar and chrysalis stages to a mature butterfly. A little warning though - keep an eye out that the plant isn`t being stripped of leaves by excessive numbers of caterpillars. You can either find other suitable host plants for them, or reduce the number of eggs on your plant (not as gruesome as eliminating caterpillars).

Protection

Whatever you do, and even if it`s only you in the garden these days, remember to cover up with something to remain safe in the sun. A hat and some sun block are really bare minimum essentials to ensure that working in the garden remains a healthy place for you to be!

Limitation of Liability
This project has been produced to provide basic information and our experienced staff are available either in-store, or via phone or email, to answer any questions you may have. As this information is generalised Mitre 10 is not responsible for the application of the principles in any particular case, as the contents of this project may need to be modified for the particular site and circumstances. Consumers should always ensure that they comply with any local body bylaws that pertain to any construction project and consult a qualified tradesperson where expert services are required.

Published 26th Oct 2007

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