The Joy of Gardening with Children

Wirral Mums Guide to The Joy of Gardening with Children Ideas on How to Enjoy Your Garden with Your Children

The Joy of Gardening with Children

Introduction There’s no doubt about it, if you’re a parent of young children you want what’s best for them. That means having a safe home, safe toys, and plenty of love from you and your partner. Did you know that one way to keep your child safe is by gardening? And if you start gardening with your child, you may have the added benefit of giving your child a love of nature and possibly even a love of vegetables.

It’s never too young to start Children love to play in the dirt. They’re also curious about the things around them and excel at learning by doing.

While your infant might not be able to actually get their hands dirty, that doesn’t mean you can’t include them when you have a family garden in your backyard. In fact, as long as you protect their delicate skin from sunburn, the fresh air and sunshine are important for your baby.

How do you do your gardening and still keep an eye on your baby? You can bring the playpen out into the yard where your garden is, set it up, and put the baby in it with some toys to keep it occupied. Or you can put your baby into a stroller to keep it closer to you. Of course, you’ll want to be sure the baby has on infant sunscreen and is also shaded with an umbrella or under a tree.

Letting your baby see how much you enjoy gardening, and spending time chatting with them while you’re gardening, can help your child realize that gardening can be a pleasant activity. As they grow, and you continue to include them; you may actually help them develop a love gardening.

Keep it up as they grow As your baby grows, you can let them start helping you in the garden. Begin by giving them simple tasks like watering the plants with a watering can and under your supervision. Show them how to properly water each plant, being sure they don’t over water.

You can also have toddlers help dig holes if you’re putting in starter plants. They may dig a little deep, but having them help in this way gives them a chance to get their hands dirty which they absolutely love to do. To make sure they get the hole too deep, you may want to find a stick to use for depth or use the handle of the trowel if that’s the correct depth.

When your child gets a little older and a little more responsible, you can begin to teach them how to hand weed the garden. Use this time as an opportunity to teach the difference between desirable plants and those that you don’t want. At first you may need to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t pull up little seedlings, but they’ll quickly learn the difference.

The older your child gets, the more responsibility you can give them. They are learning and growing along with the garden they’re helping in. Before long you may allow them to take over more aspects of planting, weeding, and caring for the garden.

Of course, children at nearly every age will enjoy going with you to pick the vegetables. You may even find them sneaking more vegetables fresh out of the garden rather than getting them all to the kitchen to be properly prepared. This will be okay for them to do as long you haven’t used chemical pesticides or herbicides in your garden. Be sure to properly wash any vegetables or fruits that have had contact with these chemicals before you allow them to be eaten.

Having your children help you work in the garden can be used as a learning experience. Not only can they learn an important life skill, they can learn a lot about caring for the environment in a hands-on way.

Learning about a seed’s life cycle If you’re in a hurry to get your garden started, you may be tempted to purchase only starter plants.

There is, however, a great learning experience in starting seeds yourself. For very young children, they begin to learn about the life cycle of plants.

Starting your own seeds allows the child to learn about the life cycle of plants by allowing them to see for themselves every aspect of a seed’s life: dormant seed, seedling, young plant, and a flowering plant, putting on fruit, being able to harvest the produce, saving seeds from the plant, and then seeing the plant stop producing and die. If you choose to compost, they’ll also be able to see how the dead plant can be returned to the ground to help nourish future plants.

You know how to start seeds in soil, but have you ever started on in a plastic bag? This is a great activity for young children. Here’s what you do: * Early in the planting season, get a jump start on your own seedlings for the garden. * Dampen one piece of paper towel for each type of seed you’re germinating. Don’t wring the paper towel out too much; you want it to be wet but not soaked. * Label each bag by writing the type of seed on the plastic bag. * Put the damp paper towels and ten to twelve seeds into a plastic bag that can be closed. * Seal the bag and place it into the refrigerator for about ten day. * Check the seeds every couple of days to see if the seeds have sprouted. It may take more than ten days for some seeds. * After the seeds have sprouted, you can then transfer them to soil in small pots.

Of course, you can also germinate plants in starter pots. These pots generally use peat instead of actual soil. You can even purchase mini greenhouses to start your seeds in. Again, after they have sprouted, you can transfer them; however you would replant the seedlings in the ground once the threat of frost is over.

If you’re planting the seeds directly in the soil in small pots, you can hasten their sprouting by presoaking the seeds. This is really one way to have success in starting seed. The procedure, which is actually quite simple, is to empty the seeds into a shallow container. Then pour hot tap water into the container and let them stand unbothered for no more than 24 hours. Soaking the seeds for longer could cause them to begin to rot, thus making them useless. This process enables the embryo inside the seed coat to be penetrated by the water which helps the seed to sprout sooner.

Choosing this method to speed up sprouting is a great idea, but you don’t want to try it unless you know for sure that you’ll be able to plant them the next day either in pots or directly into the garden. After using this method to make the swollen, it’s important to keep them well-watered until

the plant is visible above the soil. If time is of the essence, this technique can enable your seeds germinate quicker by several days.

Learning about plants Children who help with gardening can also learn about plants. They learn that each plant is made up of several different parts that each has a purpose the others cannot do. Learning how to recognize the different parts may help us to identify plants so we know which ones are edible and which ones are not.

Most plants will have these basic parts: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Explain to them that the roots help give the plant support in the soil and it is through the roots that plants receive water and nutrients from the soil. Stems basically are the plumbing system getting the water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. They also support the leaves which allow them to reach for the sunlight needed to make food.

Leaves are the area where food is produced for the plant. They are one area of the plant that helps us to identify it. They come in different shapes, sizes, and configurations – single and compound. Their purpose is to intercept sunlight and create food through a process called photosynthesis. The leaves turn chlorophyll (what gives leaves their green colour) and sunlight into glucose (a type of sugar) into energy. It also creates oxygen for animals and other organisms that need it for life.

Despite being beautiful, flowers do serve a function. They are important for the production of seeds which will ensure the future of that species of plant. The flower is made up of the pistil (the female organ) which has three components: stigma, style, and ovary. The stamen (the male organ) is generally situated around the pistil. It also has two components: anther and filament. The anther produces the pollen (male sperm cells).

Fertilization occurs when the pollen of the flower, or another flower, lands on the stigma. A tube grows down the style that enters the ovary which leads to fertilization. Fertilization creates a seed and the ovary becomes the fruit of the plant. Petals on flowers help to attract insects that will aid in pollination by bringing pollen from one flower to another thus ensuring fertilization.

The fruit comes from a ripened ovary that contains more seeds. They may become fleshy or develop a hard dry shell to protect the seeds developing within it. Fruit not only protect the seeds but may aid in seed dispersal which will begin the process all over again if the seed falls on fertile soil or is purposely planted and as long as the conditions are right for it to germinate and grow.

Seeds contain everything they need to create a new plant that will be able to reproduce. They are protected by a coating that determines how long the seed will take to germinate. If the coating is thin it will germinate quickly; however if the protective coating is hard or thick it will take a longer time to germinate.

If you can, try to remember to point out the various parts as you work in your garden and as the different parts make themselves known. You may even want to save a couple of the small plants as they are being thinned out. Show them where the various parts of the plant are located. Slice the plant down the centre so they can easily see the structure of the seed, plant, flower, and leaves. This would also be a great activity to do if you had access to a microscope because they would be able to see in minute detail what makes up a plant.

Learning about the environment Gardening is a great way to encourage your child to learn about the environment. It can help them become earth-loving children that will translate into their becoming earth-loving and environmentally conscious adults.

Encourage your child to create a nature journal. It can be used to make drawings of the plants in your garden or the various types of wildlife that visits your backyard. By spending time observing nature, they’ll come to realize how precious it is and choose to learn to protect it.

Nature journals don’t really have age limits although you’ll have to do more work for very young children. They may need you to take dictation of what they say and then write it in their journal.

Allow them to do as much as they can, however. For school age children that know how to write, suggest that they write or draw about what they see in the garden, the changes they recognize, and any animals that may visit your backyard.

Does your child have access to a camera? Letting them take pictures of the garden can start them on a new hobby. They can take pictures of the plants to show how they change over a period of time. Or they can photograph the butterflies, birds, or other animals that visit your yard. This is particularly appealing to children that aren’t artistic.

Very young children can create rubbings of things in the yard and garden. Find leaves, various types of bark, and other objects to create a rubbing with. All your child will need is some crayons, paper, and an inquisitive mind.

You don’t have to go out and spend a great deal of money on a professionally made journal to use. In fact, you can make a nature journal out of almost anything. You can use loose leaf paper like what your child would use for school, a sketch book, or paper that has been printed on only one side but is no longer needed. Do what you can to use up the paper you already have access to before heading out to buy paper for the nature journal. By doing this you’re encouraging your child to reuse or recycle paper which will do even more to protect the environment.

While your children are out in the garden or the backyard, you’ll want to keep an eye on them, particularly if they are very young. In fact, it’s best not to leave your child unattended while they’re outside. You’ll also want to teach them to respect nature as you’re teaching them to appreciate it.

Teach them how to identify and avoid any poisonous plants. Knowing what is safe to eat will not only keep them safe but could also keep them alive in the future if they’re involved in a survival situation. It will also encourage them to learn more about the plants in their area. If you’re not that knowledgeable about native plants, you can help them learn by purchasing a wild edibles book for your area.

Encourage them to learn about the wild animals in your area. They need to realize that every cute and furry animal isn’t a pet regardless how similar they may to look to domesticated animals. You’ll also want to be sure they understand not to pet any wildlife they see; it’s okay to look but not touch, particularly if the animal is injured. Should they see an injured animal in your yard, make sure they know to back away slowly and go to get you. You’ll then be able to call animal control so they can come and carefully remove the animal.

What does it take to grow plants?

There are seven basic requirements for growing plants, whether you choose to do so indoors or outdoors.

These seven requirements are: 1. Room to grow. It’s important to place seeds far enough apart that when the plant begins to grow the leaves will have ample space to expand and develop properly. This is important for the plant to make food. You’ll also want to consider the space the roots will need. If the roots are too cramped, the plant won’t grow properly.

2. Temperature. Your child might find it interesting to know that plants share their ability to thrive in many temperatures. Think about the natural habitat plants grow in. They’ll be able to recognize that some plants prefer cooler temperatures while others prefer warmer weather. Most plants, however, prefer to have cooler temperatures at night so they can rest from food production duties.

3. Light. It is absolutely necessary for plants to have light. Without it they would not be able to live or thrive. If you’re growing plants inside, you will want to keep them in a window that will receive the most natural sunlight. This will be the south or west facing windows and they need at least 8 to 12 hours of sunlight to grow properly. If the plants are located in the garden outside, try to situate them so they get the same amount of time in direct sunlight. While you can put your garden in an area that is shaded during part of the day, it is best to have them in direct sunlight.

4. Water. Without water a plant will die. It won’t be able to transport nutrients from the soil throughout the plant. Too much water can also kill a plant. The best time to water a plant is when the surface soil, and a small bit down, is dry to the touch. You can water a garden using a watering can, hose, sprinkler, or the irrigation hose system. Remember, however, that it’s best to water in the evening so all of the moisture doesn’t evaporate during the day. Of course, if it rains, you can save the water and a little bit on your water bill.

5. Air. This is another basic need that is absolutely necessary. Without air the plants can’t filter carbon dioxide which is needed to create their food. The by-product is the oxygen that is released back into the air. Air pollution can damage plants so you may want to be aware of where you’re situating your garden if there is a lot of that around.

6. Nutrients. If the soil in your garden is healthy because of composting, using companion planting, or rotating the location of the plants each year, you probably don’t need to add commercial fertilizers for the plants to get the nutrients they need. However, if your soil isn’t producing the type and size of plant you want, you may want to try fertilizers but be very cautious. You would apply fertilizer, not too much, to the soil following the directions given on the package label. Choose a liquid fertilizer for safety and ease of use. You can also add the specific nutrients your plants need; these include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Again, follow instructions and be sure to store these chemicals properly to keep children out of them.

7. Time. You can’t expect plants to grow overnight. In fact it takes quite a bit of time and care for the plants to thrive. You can plan your garden so they flower and produce fruit at different times during the growing season. Look at the growth information on the seed packet to help you choose when to plant which vegetables and fruits.

Now that your children have learned about plant structure and what it takes to grow them, they may have a deeper appreciation for everything that goes on in a garden. They may realize that gardening takes time and effort, but that the results can be quite delicious. This may help them be more willing to help you the next time you tell them you need their help in the garden.

How to decide what to plant Children aren’t known for their love of variety, but you can encourage them to try new vegetables by seeking their advice on which plants to include in the garden. If you’re new to gardening you might want to start with easy-to-grow plants that have a short growing season so they’ll be able to taste the fruits of their labour quickly. These plants are also fun to harvest and eat.

Sunflowers are a great addition to any garden that children will be involved in. You don’t have to plant row after row of them because they’ll grow pretty large. This is one plant that will sprout quickly, usually within a week, and become a seedling your child can see within two weeks. By the end of a month, the plant should reach two feet tall; by the end of the next month your child should be able to see the buds that contain hundreds of seeds. Of course, you’ll want to plant ‘confectionary’ sunflowers because they’re grown for food. If your child isn’t too fond of sunflower seeds, you can use the non-confectionary type that will provide seeds for the birds to enjoy.

Lettuce is another plant that will give your impatient child quick results. This is a good plant to grow to encourage your children to start eating salads. Lettuces prefer some shade for part of the day and plenty of water, at least for the first two weeks. They’ll sprout in about a week to ten days and can be harvested in 40 to 50 days if you’re growing head lettuce. Leaf lettuce will be mature enough to harvest within 30 to 35 days.

Radishes are the perfect choice for those children that are extremely impatient. They germinate in 3 to 10 days and are ready to pick as early as 20 to 30 days. You don’t need a lot of room for radishes as they only need about four inches to grow properly. Another benefit of radishes is that they can be planted in cooler weather. It’s interesting to note that the temperature at time of plant can determine how mild or hot the radish ends up being.

Cherry tomatoes are a must-have addition to any garden that children will be around. Many children consider these to be made just for them because of their small size. Instead of starting these from seed, you’ll probably want to buy seedlings. This will ensure a bumper crop before the end of summer. They prefer full sunlight and need to be staked loosely as they begin to grow.

They like to be watered at ground level and water on the leaves my damage the plant. It takes approximately 50 to 75 days for the fruit to grow and mature to the point it can be harvested and enjoyed. You might want to keep an eye on these plants, however, as the children may eat the tomatoes straight from the plant instead of sharing them with the grown-ups.

Pumpkins! What garden would be complete without pumpkins? Of course, you’ll need a large garden to accommodate these plants. The seeds for pumpkins should be placed in a hill spaced apart and put into three separate holes with one seed in each hole. They will sprout within a week and the vines can be seen a few days after that. When the vines put on three pumpkins each, you’ll want to pinch off any new blossoms to give those three pumpkins to mature and grow to their maximum size. Unfortunately, these plants have one of the longest growing periods of all garden plants. They can take 80 to 120 days to reach maturity and be ready to be harvested.

Strawberries are another must-have plant, especially for child gardeners. There will be more work involved in preparing the ground, planting, and caring for the strawberry plants, but the results will

definitely be worth the effort! Strawberries need full sunlight and no weeds. Nearly any type of soil will work for strawberries as long as it has good drainage. Be sure to include at least 3% compost or manure and a pH level of 6 to 7. Create a hill to put the plants in and dig a hole big enough to put the roots of the plant. Back fill the dirt so that it comes to the very top of the crown. Adding mulch between plants will keep the soil cooler and help to inhibit weed growth. Since birds and other animals like strawberries as much as we do, you’ll want to put a light weight plastic netting over the plants or use a fruit cage to deter the pests from getting to your strawberries before you do. Once the strawberries begin appearing and are ripe, you may have to harvest them daily. Of course, if your children are like most, they won’t mind that task a bit!

Allowing your child to help choose the vegetables and fruits that are included in the garden is a great start for including them in all aspects of gardening. If you can include them in the simple task of which plants to have in the garden, they may be more willing to help with other aspects of garden than merely enjoying the end product.

Having fun in the garden as a family Your child may not be too enthused about the prospect of helping in the family garden. That doesn’t mean you can’t make it fun. Gardening is such a great activity for children to participate in.

It allows them to get exercise, encourages them to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine, and allows them learn more about the environment, the foods they eat, and the wildlife in their own backyard. Here are two activities that might make planting and caring for a garden a little more fun for all involved. * So many children love races. They’ll pick a raindrop and tell their sibling that their drop will reach the bottom of the window first. Or they’ll have a race about which leaf will reach the ground first. Its part of their nature to compete in this way, so why not give them all the tools they need for a garden race? Buy a couple of buckets or planters and fill them with soil. Let the children choose seeds for a plant that grows into a vine. Create a trellis out of string and mark a point on it as the finish line. Tell your children to get ready, plant their seed, and see which plant can grow to the finishing point first. Explain to them that they’ll be responsible for caring for their own plant. When one plant has reached the finish line, they get a prize which you’ve already chosen. You might also want to join in the fun; who knows your vine might win! * Teach your children how to protect the plants in the garden without using harmful pesticides. You know your children love to squirt each other so why not turn that love of getting wet into something beneficial to the garden? Explain to them that you need to run the plants through a plant wash because there may be harmful insects on them. Show them which insects are beneficial and which ones are harmful to the plants. Next make up a batch of a naturally safe insect spray out of soap and water. Take three tablespoons of liquid soap and add it to a gallon of water. Be sure to look for a dish soap that is non-detergent. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and let the children spray away. If they still have the desire to spray something, you could suggest washing the car or just playing in the water for awhile. Why not get into something comfortable and join the fun?

As you can see, there’s much your child can learn about plants and their care from having a family garden. It doesn’t have to be drudgery work but can actually be an activity your family can enjoy together. Start their love of gardening by encouraging them to become involved as young children.

Before you know it, you’ll see not only the plants, but also your children blossom and thrive.