- 10 Tips for Gardening with Kids<\/a><\/li>
- Kid-Friendly Garden Ideas<\/a><\/li>
- When to Call a Professional<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
10 Tips for Gardening with Kids<\/h2>
Ready to get started with your adventure of gardening with kids? These tips will help point you in the right direction. <\/p>
1. Start Small<\/h3>
![\"kid](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-rodnae-productions-7782160-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Whether you\u2019re starting a new garden or introducing the kids to an established garden, it\u2019s best to start small. Starting too big may prove overwhelming. <\/p>
If you\u2019re including your kids in your established garden, give them a small area that is theirs, not the entire garden. As you learn together, their garden area can continue to grow.<\/p>
2. Mark the Plants<\/h3>
When you and the kids have planted seeds, it\u2019s easy to forget what\u2019s in a fruit or vegetable garden. Get the kids involved in marking the plants. Depending on your space, popsicle sticks or rocks can work for plant markers. You could have the kids write, draw, or paint to distinguish which plant is where.<\/p>
3. Check on Your Garden Often<\/h3>
![\"child](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/filip-urban-ffJ8Qa0VQU0-unsplash-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Kids will likely love to check on the garden at least once daily, if not more. Enjoy your kids’ reactions and happiness when they see the seeds sprout. There\u2019s something magical about watching their eyes light up when they see it. It won\u2019t matter if it\u2019s the first time or the hundredth time; their eyes will still light up each and every time a new tiny seed begins to sprout, or a fruit or vegetable grows big.<\/p>
4. Remember, Have Realistic Expectations<\/h3>
Even though it’s good to check the garden often, there might be days that the kids don\u2019t want to water the plants or check for new growth\u2013\u2013 that\u2019s OK! <\/p>
Kids will be kids sometimes and might not want to stop playing with their legos to check on the garden. Don\u2019t get discouraged if they don\u2019t want to visit that day. Ask again the next day. After all, you might enjoy the alone time as you water and check on the plants. <\/p>
5. Choose Plants Accordingly<\/h3>
![\"Tomatoes](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/davor-denkovski-qt_TCQxFrw-unsplash-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Kids want to see the results of their hard work, so setting up your garden for success is an essential step to having an enjoyable time gardening with your kids. You can contribute by choosing plants that grow well in your area. Also, consider the growing season and climate of your area.<\/p>
Tip: <\/strong>Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone<\/a> map to determine your growing zone. And check out your local county extension office for information about the temperature planting schedule.<\/p>
Consider your kids’ interests\u2013\u2013 plant it if you know they love a particular flower! Or on the other hand, if you know your entire household despises radishes, it\u2019s best to forgo that one.<\/p>
If you planted a fruit or vegetable in the garden, don\u2019t forget to eat and enjoy it. That\u2019s probably the best part of gardening.<\/p>
Tip: <\/strong>Tomato plants are usually pretty easy to grow and care for. If your household enjoys tomatoes, they\u2019re a good starting point. Pumpkins are also an easy-to-grow plant that can make for an extra fun activity come fall. How cool would it be for kids to say they grew the pumpkin they\u2019re carving for Halloween?<\/p>
6. Journal About It<\/h3>
Some kids, especially older kids, love to draw or write about what they saw each day after checking the garden. It can be a fun way for kids to reflect and see how they grow with their writing and drawing skills over the years. <\/p>
Don\u2019t stress if your kids don\u2019t want to journal after checking on the garden. Let them journal about it on their terms so it\u2019s more enjoyable for them.<\/p>
7. Embrace the Learning Opportunities<\/h3>
![\"child](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Children-and-Nature-6720x4480-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nappy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Kids always have an abundance of questions when trying something new, and gardening with them is no different. Gardening brings big and small learning opportunities to teach kids, so embrace each one. The conversations could branch from the process plants go through to what type of worms<\/a> you see. <\/p>
8. Have Necessary Garden Tools<\/h3>
Equip yourself with some necessary garden tools when you garden with kids. Some essential gardening tools needed: <\/p>
- Watering can or hose<\/li>
- Gardening gloves<\/a><\/li>
- Shovel<\/li>
- Handheld rake<\/li>
- Pots or containers (if you\u2019re using them)<\/li><\/ul>
Tip: <\/strong>Kids love to have a small set of gardening tools that\u2019s smaller and easier for them to handle.<\/p>
9. Give Tours<\/h3>
![\"girl](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/kelly-sikkema-iu3MkDoQXDM-unsplash-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Kids will be delighted to show off their hard work in the garden when friends and family visit. Let them give tours of the garden and tell everything about each plant. Don\u2019t forget to run a quick rehearsal before the relatives arrive!<\/p>
10. Have a Backup Plan<\/h3>
In case the garden plans go awry, have a backup plan. There are plenty of other fun ideas for garden crafts and outdoor activities that could transpire. Here are some possible backup plan ideas:<\/p>
- Make a scarecrow<\/li>
- Paint rocks<\/li>
- Make a birdfeeder<\/li>
- Build an outdoor mud pie after a rainstorm<\/li><\/ul>
Don\u2019t forget, you could always try again next year for a garden. <\/p>
Kid-Friendly Garden Ideas<\/h2>
![\"Girl](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/pexels-rodnae-productions-8298445-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Whether you want a small garden that lives on the windowsill or an entire backyard garden space, we\u2019ve got some kid-friendly garden ideas to get you started.<\/p>
Container Gardening<\/h3>
![\"containers](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_garden_with_succulent_containers_7230461906.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Akos Kokai<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Container gardening<\/a> is meant to be compact, portable, and kept in a pot or container. It can include:<\/p>
- Potted flowers<\/strong><\/li>
- Potted fruits<\/strong><\/li>
- Potted veggies<\/strong><\/li>
- Fairy garden:<\/strong> Kids might especially like the creativity of a fairy garden. They can paint little figurines and let their imagination run wild.<\/li><\/ul>
Container gardening for fruits and vegetables can also be an excellent place to begin scrap gardening. Scrap gardening<\/a> is a fun way to use scraps from the kitchen.<\/p>
For instance, don\u2019t toss the base of romaine lettuce after you\u2019ve chopped up the rest. Leave an inch or two of romaine leaves close to the base\u2013\u2013 this will be the part you use for scrap gardening. Place the base into a small bowl of water and change the water daily and watch the romaine regrow. It won\u2019t be as large as a store bought one but it\u2019s still fun to watch. Additional scrap gardening ideas could include, but are not limited to: <\/p>
- Potatoes<\/li>
- Tomatoes<\/li>
- Celery <\/li>
- Onions<\/li><\/ul>
Fruit or Vegetable Garden<\/h3>
Container gardening could be the first step to your fruit and vegetable garden with your kids. If you\u2019ve found that you and your kids enjoy gardening, you could move from container gardening to planting seeds in the ground if your space allows it. Your fruit and vegetable garden space could continue to grow each season. <\/p>
Fruit and vegetable gardens provide the experience of kids learning to grow their own food, care for it, have patience in the growing process, and finally get to eat it. Who knows\u2013\u2013 maybe your kids will finally eat their vegetables without a fight if they had a hand in the process!<\/p>
Flower Garden<\/h3>
![\"Beautiful](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pikist.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pikist<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> You can never go wrong with a flower garden. You can cater your flower garden to your and your kids\u2019 likes, but here are some flower ideas to inspire you:<\/p>
- Marigolds: <\/strong>Bright color with minimal care needed<\/li>
- Sunflowers:<\/strong> Grow quickly and are a bright color<\/li>
- Snapdragons: <\/strong>Could be slow-growing when started from seeds but are beautiful<\/li><\/ul>
Note:<\/strong> Some flowers are dangerous to people and pets, and you might want to avoid planting them when you grow a flower garden with your kids. Some flowers to avoid include:<\/p>
- Roses<\/li>
- Lily-of-the-valley<\/li>
- Daffodil<\/li>
- Hydrangea<\/li><\/ul>
When to Call a Professional<\/h2>
Gardening with kids is equal parts fun and tiring. There\u2019s learning to be had and in that learning process there are some \u2018don\u2019t pull on that\u2019 or \u2018we can\u2019t eat that yet\u2019 conversations. <\/p>
When conversations like these, digging in the garden, and the sweltering sun leave you dreading your lawn chores, connect with a local lawn care professional<\/a>. Hand the mowing and trimming tasks to a pro while you unwind after gardening. <\/p>
- Sunflowers:<\/strong> Grow quickly and are a bright color<\/li>
- Marigolds: <\/strong>Bright color with minimal care needed<\/li>
- Potted fruits<\/strong><\/li>
- Potted flowers<\/strong><\/li>
- Kid-Friendly Garden Ideas<\/a><\/li>