Some of our fondest memories are gardening together, collecting worms from under the tree pots at the nursery, picking a basket full of flowers and the summer harvest. When my kids were small, they worked with me, and instead of money we would visit the pet shop, buy a goldfish and release them into the pond. This was always after the ice cream shop, of course.
My grandson and I now hang together in the same way. His unofficial nickname is “Garden Guy Junior,” and we love gardening together. These are memories that bind generations together.
Kids love to get outside and get their hands dirty! They are naturally curious about nature. It’s the reason my latest grandson and I can spend 15 minutes watching a bug crawl across the driveway, and he’s only three. Spend time with your child in the gardens. Teach them to appreciate caring and nurturing plants and the value of growing your food. With fun early gardening experiences, there’s a greater chance they develop their green thumbs and enjoy gardening on their own when the time comes.
Here are my foolproof ideas that get kids involved with nature and the gardens that naturally follow:
– Give them their spot. Give them a row at the back of your vegetable garden, a small raised garden bed or a group of containers on your deck. Teach them pride of ownership with their spaces to plant.
– Grow plants from seed. Seed germination is as fascinating thing to adults and even more so to children. Be sure to pick seeds that quickly germinate to keep their interest piqued. Here are some fun and easy plants children can start by seed and readily available here at Watters Garden Center:
*Vegetables: Beans, Cherry *Tomatoes, Lettuce, Sprouts, Squash, Pumpkins, especially giant pumpkins.
*Flowers: Sunflowers, Nasturtiums, Zinnias, Marigolds, Wildflower seed mixes.
– More plants that are fun to grow are plant color packs and 4-inch pots of Geraniums, Dahlias, Petunias, Impatiens, Salvia, Lantana, Eggplant, Corn, Peppers and anything else that piques your child’s interest. Summer is so much fun when visiting the garden center with the kids young and old alike.
– Keep them involved in the harvest. Let them harvest the vegetables and help prepare them for dinner. Assist them in cutting flowers and arranging them in a vase.
– Teach kids about beneficial insects. Bugs good for the garden are available here at Watters. Pick up a packet of Ladybugs, Praying Mantis or Red worms, then release them in your garden together.
– Plant miniature gardens together. Air plants, terrariums, fairy gardens, and miniature train gardens are all popular with kids. Choose a wide, shallow container and plants with small foliage, or ground cover type plants. Arrange the plants into miniature landscapes complete with gravel paths, mini benches and arbors. Let your child help pick out the little accessories or choose their toys to include in the garden.
– Plant places to play. Make a teepee using bamboo sticks tied together at the top with twine. Help your child plant bean seeds at the base of each pole and watch them grow. If you have enough space, you can also grow a “house” of sunflowers.
– Plant a garden for birds and butterflies. Kids love to watch birds at a feeder and to chase butterflies. Teach children how to attract hummingbirds and butterflies into your landscape. Provide these winged friends with plants for shelter, a place to protect their young, food, flowers and water.
Don’t forget to take photos of your child in their garden and share them with friends and family. These moments are treasured for years to come.
Until next issue, I’ll see you at Watters Garden Center. QCBN
By Ken Lain
Ken Lain, the mountain gardener, can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at www.wattersgardencenter.com or Facebook page facebook.com/WattersGardenCenter .
Leave a Reply