Get Kids Interested in Gardening

Most parents wonder what activities can bring them closer to their children. This becomes even tougher as kids mature, make their own friends, take up soccer, gymnastics, ballet, etc.

You can't fool kids either. If you suddenly take an interest in skateboarding or rock videos, your motives will certainly become suspect. Neither can you expect your children to take a sudden liking to bridge or the opera out of loyalty to you.

It is difficult to find an activity that everyone in the family can enjoy, from toddlers to teenagers. Gardening fits the bill, whether you begin the hobby together, or have been gardening on your own for years.

I realize you may be chuckling in disbelief because your child considers yard-work to be fun while working beside you. However, with the proper approach, attitude and direction, you very well may find your kids "digging" marigolds over music videos. Beginning at age three, you can help your child understand how plants grow by having them plant seeds in a paper cup. Lima beans work well because they are easy for a child to grasp, and easy to grow.

By age four or five, you can have your kids assist you outside, and learn by example. They can help till the soil and plant seeds and water them.

As their interest increases, give children their own small space. An area of about three feet by five feet will work nicely. Much larger spaces can seem overwhelming at first, and more of a chore than an adventure, unless they choose to grow their own pumpkins. Start them with short sunflowers, corn, beans or pea seeds because they are larger and easier for little hands to pick up. Gladiolus are fun too because they can harvest and save the corms for another year.

At this stage I recommend getting your child his/her own inexpensive rake, shovel, hand trowel, hoe and watering can. Most children can't handle full size equipment until their teen years. I myself sometimes use the small-fry tools because I find them easier to manage.

I suggest helping kids enlarge their garden as their interest increases. At this point, they will need your help with weeding. Most children are spontaneous and have short attention spans. Doing all the weeding themselves may frustrate them and become drudgery. Although they need to learn responsibility, assisting them with weeding can help maintain their enthusiasm for gardening.

If your child seems to really enjoy gardening, you can further their interest by taking them to the local library, garden center or nursery to learn more about plants. I know some families in which the kids ask all the questions at the garden center.

Gardening will give your children the joy of a job well done, the pride in a place they can truly call their own, and the pleasure of eating or enjoying their own produce. As a family you will share not only a learning and growing experience, but also a wealth of memories and accomplishments.