Win a Kid's Gardening Kit

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gillian Carson on February 22, 2012 at 15:42

I'll start the ball rolling.

Tip: Create a 'digging station' for really litte ones. A belfast sink full of soil is perfect.

Permalink Reply by Jan Willetts on February 22, 2012 at 21:46

Sow some calendula seeds in the shape of an initial-they are chunky enough for little hands and bright enough to be seen from the house, with the added benefit of being personal and educational!

Permalink Reply by Maureen warke on February 24, 2012 at 10:50

We started with a tall glass each  and some damp kitchen roll then got them to drop a bean down the side and they absolutely loved watching this grow and it really showed them the whole process from there we moved on to a small patch each, we also made plant labels which they decorated themselves, such a lovely time can,t wait to start the whole process again with my grandson, exciting times ahead yay !!!! 

Permalink Reply by Gillian Carson on February 24, 2012 at 19:35

Brilliant tips - keep em coming!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Gordon on February 24, 2012 at 19:54

We grew sweet peas -  so easy! We cut the flowers and made poseys for our 'Tea n Cake' tea party, the tables looked fab and smelt so sweet. Then we harvested the seeds for the following year, made lovely stencilled brown envelopes for the seeds. They sold brilliantly at the School Fair, the children loved the whole year long experience...becoming gardeners, artists and business entrepreneurs! You just have to love sweet peas, I do...and now the kiddies do too!

 

 

Permalink Reply by Angela Moore on February 25, 2012 at 21:24

my niece loves to help plant cherry tomato's in a big pot on the patio, she likes it even better when its time to pick and eat them straight off the plant!

Permalink Reply by Damo on February 26, 2012 at 8:33

Hunt for buried treasure, my two always love digging for potatoes and as I grow them in bags it's easy for them to play pirates on the patio, make as much mess as they like and it all gets swept up at the end of the day!  They love finding the spuds, the different sizes, colours and shapes means there's loads of extra learning that can be done at the same time such as counting, organising into size groups etc and I think getting their hands dirty is the best way of introducing them to gardening and discovering where their food comes from.

Permalink Reply by Pip on February 26, 2012 at 23:03

This winter, with little else to do in the garden,  we created a fairy village in an old metre square raised bed. The kids scavenged for suitable stuff and an upturned wire hanging basket frame became the fairy house, covered in ivy. Teasels became bushes, twigs intertwined to become fences, pebbles; fairy paths and pampas grass trees. We then created a fairy's fairy garden with creeping thyme and moss found inbetween the paving stones and little sprigs of lavender. The kids love it and are still adding to it each time they go out, convinced that the fairies have now moved in!

 

Permalink Reply by Caroline Pearson on February 27, 2012 at 15:29

My top tips for gardening with children:

1. Above all else, gardening should be FUN.
2. It will get messy so if you’re a neat-freak, consider counselling or learn to relax.
3. Children love a plot of their own.  It can be as simple as a pot on a windowsill, or as elaborate as child-sized raised beds outside (if only my children realised how lucky they are).
4. If you grow food, choose something children like to eat.  Still searching but am yet to find a statistically significant number of children who like radish.  Yes, they are quick and easy to grow, but.....
5. Children have a different perspective to adults.  I’ve had groups of schoolchildren wildly excited at the prospect of weeding.  Digging, searching for wildlife, building insect traps etc are often more appealing than “proper” gardening.  Go with the flow.

One of my favourite projects for children is making grass heads:

Take 1 pair of old tights and cut off above ankle / sprinkle grass seed in toe / fill with sawdust or compost / tie end to make head-shaped ball / turn right way up (grass seed becomes hair) / decorate with eyes, nose, moustache, glasses etc letting your creativity run wild / balance on top of small jar filled with water / keep water topped up and within a couple of weeks you should have enough grass hair to style and cut :)

Permalink Reply by Garden Posts on February 27, 2012 at 17:55

Mustard Cress. There is nothing quite like an instant success to keep them gripped then they can move on to Sun Flower competitions.

Permalink Reply by Natasha Nash on March 6, 2012 at 19:46

Kids need to be kept interested in a garden and that means creating more for them than the garden itself so we have a "Bubble Station" Endless amounts of bubble liquid and various bits and pieces to use to create bubble masterpieces, continual fun for them with bubbles on tap and a beautiful vintagey style station for me! 

Permalink Reply by Gillian Carson on March 16, 2012 at 18:50

Only a few more days to go until the winner is announced. Keep the tips coming they are great!

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