We all know how children love to get dirty and gardening is the ideal way to combat that. It also gives you the opportunity to teach your children new things. You can show tell them all about the plants that grow in the garden, how they grow and even all about the insects. Although try not to encourage them to put them in glass jars or you will soon have insects all over your house!
Getting them starting.
Start of by telling them what a weed looks like, Dandelions are a good example. If you tell them that weeds are bad for the garden and get them to pull them up. This is the easiest way to show them which plants are goods for the garden and which are bad.
Then show them how to prepare the soil for planting seeds. This involves turning the soil over to a depth of about 30cm and if you have any, add some compost or well-rotted manure. Some compost's are not suitable for seedlings so make sure you check before using. One that is good all year round and for all plants is Westland Multi Purpose compost.
Planting Flowering Seeds
It is a well known fact that children respond better to bright colours and smells so you should try to have these in your garden. You should try to purchase seeds that grow in a few weeks as any longer and most children will start to get bored. A few weeks to a child are like a few years! Seeds which are good for children are:
Candytuft Seeds
This can be planted between March-May and will flower in June-September. Plant the seeds in moist soil and cover with 1/2cm of soil. Water regularly and watch them grow.
Sunflower seeds
These can be planted from April onwards. Sunflower seeds should be planted in direct sunlight to help them grow but will grow in almost any conditions. Plant the seeds in some soil about 3 inches apart and about 2 inches into the ground. Add some water and in about 2weeks you should be able to see the first growth of leaves. You will need to stake the plants as they grow to keep them straight and strong. Sunflowers can grow 12inches in one day!!!
It’s not just flowers that you can grow in your garden. You can also grow vegetables and it’s just as easy as flowers. For example:
Runner beans
These should be planted in late April and should be planted somewhere that has plenty of light and is sheltered from heavy wind so as not to blow over. Once planted you should place a structure around them so they have somewhere to attach on and can grow tall. The simplest structure is a wig wam structure made up of 4-5 bamboo canes. This is cheap and easily available. Runner beans can grow up to 6ft!!
Lettuce
Plant seeds in early spring and again in summer. They should be placed in a shady part of the garden and should be given lots of water as they need moist sold to grow.
Make sure that you label all seeds so you know where they are planted and do not dig them up by mistake.
In House Gardening.
Even if you don’t have a garden, there is no need why children can’t learn about seeds and flowers. You can use a window box or grow seeds inside with plant pot. Most plants can be grown indoors too, as long as they are looked after with plant food and water, your child can still learn.
Tools Required.
• Seeds of the flowers/vegetables that you wish to plant.
• Compost
• Fork
• Spade
• Trowel
• Wooden canes
• And of course, children!!
