Parenting

Growing Green Fingers

Helping your child to discover a love of gardening.

Their own little corner

Your child may not have the same taste in plants as you do so, if you can, give them their own mini-plot to experiment with. Let them choose the plants they want (after discussing soil conditions, shade etc.) and give them the responsibility of watering and weeding. Children aren’t known for their patience so try to incorporate some plants that will give instant enjoyment and have a strong fragrance, such as lavenders and geraniums, along with others that are easy to grow and worth the wait, such as sunflowers, sweet peas and marigolds.

Grow your own

Fussy eaters can often be persuaded to try new things if they’ve had a hand in growing them. If you have the space for a raised bed, you could try courgettes, lettuces, or dwarf runner beans. Limited space? Potatoes, carrots and peas can be grown in pots. Tomatoes thrive against a sunny wall, while pepper plants and herbs will be fine on a windowsill.

Wildlife

Encourage your child to hang bird feeders in the garden and fill a shallow bowl for a bird bath. You could also help them to make a bee hotel by tying sections of bamboo canes together, or fixing the canes into a terracotta pot with some modelling clay. Older children might enjoy identifying different birds, bees and insects using a book or app.

Somewhere to play

You may not have room for a football pitch or trampoline, but even small gardens can usually offer some space for play. A few fixed logs can make a fun mini-obstacle course for example, and a swing can provide hours of enjoyment. Why not build a temporary den over a low hanging branch with some old sheets, clothes pegs and cushions? You could also make a mini-sandpit with a trough, large plant pot or small paddling pool.

A fairy garden

Create a fairy garden together by filling a shallow container with soil and adding a few small plants. You could use a small plant pot for a house, create a miniature lake with a ramekin and make a swing with sticks and string. Add some solar-powered twinkly lights and a couple of small wooden or plastic elves and fairies.

Safety first

Teach children never to eat anything from the garden without checking with you first. Do head to the RHS website (www.rhs.org.uk) to find out what plants to avoid growing though; some are very poisonous and others can irritate skin and eyes. Keep sharp tools, plant food and weed killer safely out of reach at all times. If you have a pond, cover it with a rigid metal grille.

By Kate Duggan