Making allotments safe for kids
Evening all,
I've had an allotment for 3 years but this is only my first year
at 'really' having an allotment (1st year I was just clearing as it was the
dumping area, 2nd year got new patch but also new baby!).
The baby is now 13 months and walking so I'm trying to make sure it’s
safe for him to come over with me when I have quick jobs to complete.
I'm in the process of cutting back a very thorny fruit bush that
hangs over the fence. I'll keep on top of nettles and cover the ends of
canes/poles to safeguard eyes!
Does anyone else have any advice or suggestions to make it a
baby/toddler friendly?!
Thanks x
Views: 29
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam Fernley on -
My son is 16 months so I too am trying to make the plot safe. I use old character bubble bath containers and old toys as fun cane toppers, OH drills a hole in the bottom.
It's good to have a designated area for them with items to attract their attention (I've got shiny pinwheels) & an area to dig. I worry about him wandering off onto neighbouring plot edges(as he moves like lightening) which have lots of small canes sticking out.
In truth though my son is not impressed with the allotment at the moment and tends to whine & whine. Now me & my OH take in turns to go there for the time being. Oh well, will keep trying.....
Sam x
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Morgan on -
Thanks for the reply :-)
I picked up a few things at a local fayre yesterday to make it a bit more friendly. I love the idea of old toys as cane toppers!
Cooper isnt impressed at all but am hoping he'll tolerate it at least 10 mins to allow me to quickly water, collect fruits etc after the school run!
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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Harakis on -
No advice here as my son's only 8 months old, and I've got to say gardening with baby is a challenge! I babywear, so can do little bits while carrying him on my back, but can't really get much done. I'm thinking of taking a bed's worth of land and make it child friendly, so it can be his little space to do his thing while I do my bits and watch over him.
I guess I'll just have to learn and modify as I go. He's currently very curious and interested, and has loads to explore, so hopefully this is the beginning of a love for the outdoors for him. But making it safe is for him is definitely a priority.
I also find I value doing little and often now than I did before I had him - maintenance, so to speak - and I think it'll ultimately make things easy as I'm not letting things go out of control, or not doing anything for a while then working so hard for many hours so it looks like the plot has been magically transformed.
Speaking of which, I better get stuff ready to go soon, it's a wonderful day outside!
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