THE DIRT CHEAP GARDENER
Your Subtitle text
Children & Gardening--Tips and ideas for gardeing with children
Children & Gardening
Children are natural gardeners. They love new things and the garden is full of new and interesting discoveries, from bugs and worms to butterflies and birds. Gardening is also a very tactile experience which children love, they can dig in the dirt or mud, pull out weeds, learn about which plants belong or not and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of being outdoors in the garden. Recent evidence suggests that children exposed to a certain amount of dirt and animals at a young age are more likely to develop healthier immune systems.
By providing a pleasant experience and encouraging their developing curiosity, children can develop a lifelong love of gardening.
Good candidates for planting with children are:
Radishes
They may be strong-tasting for some children but they are quick germinators with a short growing season.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are a great choice with children. They are easy to grow, and the flowers are edible which can make meals more fun as well.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are one of the best choices for a children's garden. They have great color, they can watch them grow throughout the season. Pumpkins also do double duty, both as fall decorations, and as an ingredient in a variety of recipes, from pies to soup to bread.
Carrots
Carrots are fun for children--they grow underground which adds an element of surprise when they are picked, are a bright color and a mild taste many children love.
Sunflower
Sunflowers grow quickly, have the high impact of being really tall from a child's perspective and have nutritious and delicious seeds.
Other ideas:
Plant a butterfly garden
Start seedlings indoors
Planting "designer" veggies with unusual colors
