Gardening with your child reaps many rewards but the most valuable of these may not be the actual produce. The marvel of discovering the germinating seed and the joy of playing in the dirt are all part of time well spent in the garden. In addition, children learn life lessons such as patience and responsibility, for it takes time for plants to mature and their growth is successful only with proper weeding and watering. Kids can accomplish a lot of work in the garden so long as there are manageable tasks and fun diversions. Below are suggestions for planning a successful garden your child can enjoy.
Time lapse radish seeds sprouting, top and roots growing
Getting started in the garden with your child often means scaling back your expectations of duties and planning free time with your child.
To ensure your child’s participation in garden activities, involve your child in the planning stages. Excite his imagination with pictures and stories of gardens. Invite your child to select the site and seeds for her very own garden.
A playhouse within your child’s garden will guarantee lots of time there. The sunflower house is a popular “living” play house.
A child-friendly garden can be a roped-off plot in the back yard, a raised garden bed, window box, or container on the patio. If you choose a plot or bed, design the garden so that your child can easily reach all plants. The more control the child has, the more involved he will be in weeding, watering and harvesting.
Themed gardens are especially exciting as they blend beauty and ecological awareness. Plan a garden to attract bees.
There are many crafts and projects in the garden to excite your child anew when garden maintenance becomes a burden.
A few facts and lessons about natural life cycles will support your observations in the garden: