When I was a child, summer days were filled with outdoor adventures. My friends and I would pick daisies, observe pill bugs, hold caterpillars, and try to catch fireflies. Today, it’s still easy to encourage young children to play outside, but as they grow older, the allure of screens often takes over, pushing nature exploration down their list of interests.
Yet, with some creativity, parents can spark a love for the outdoors and inspire children to garden. The trick is to start them young and give them a sense of ownership.
Let Kids Choose Their Plants
Take your little ones to a local plant nursery and allow them to choose what they would like to grow. Make sure to consider the garden’s conditions, like sunlight and drainage, and select plants that are safe and non-toxic. For example, while tomatoes can be grown, the leaves are toxic, so supervision is needed if you choose such plants. Otherwise, let the kids take the lead. Encourage them to pick vegetables they enjoy eating; they’ll feel proud when a meal includes ingredients they’ve nurtured themselves. This can also shape their future eating habits positively.
While at the nursery, don’t forget to buy them child-sized tools, or look for gently used ones at local sales or online. Even regular kitchen spoons can be great for digging.
Let Them Design Their Garden
Back at home, give each child their own small garden space, or even a container if you lack yard space. Encourage them to measure out a plot and name their garden. They could create a sign calling it “Sophia’s Garden” or “Liam’s Lettuce.” Naming the plants gives an added sense of responsibility and pride in caring for them.
Teach Plant Care
Explain to children that gardens need nourishment and hydration just like they do. Show them what to look for when plants need water or fertilizer. You can also demonstrate the sun’s movement, placing their garden where it can be appreciated by others.
While guidance is important, it’s essential to allow kids to learn by doing. Let them make mistakes; if they pick an unripe tomato, they’ll quickly discover that waiting for ripeness yields a tastier reward. Such lessons are memorable and impactful.
Place a calendar in their room or on the refrigerator for watering and weeding schedules, empowering them to take responsibility for these tasks. The sense of achievement when they mark off completed chores is rewarding.
Gardening isn’t just about growing food and flowers; it teaches patience, responsibility, and the joy of nurturing life. It also offers relaxation and moments of connection that children will cherish long after the blooms have faded. That connection is truly the heart of gardening.
