At age 3, our nephew Miles is learning about the importance of light and water to make things grow.
Children are fascinated by worms and insects. When left to their own devices, they enjoy digging, playing with water and making mud pies. But can this translate into an appreciation for gardening and respect for nature? I believe it can. A small Children’s Garden might just be the activity they need to make the connection.
For me, a Children’s Garden is a foreign concept since I grew up on a farm where gardening was serious business. No time for cutesy ornaments or whimsical elements to entice me. We had to “produce” and I was expected to help get the job done– no matter what my age. That’s certainly one way to approach gardening with children, but the risk is that you might end up discouraging the child instead of inspiring them.
I recently completed an extensive project for the Master Gardener Association of which I am a member. The project included designing and creating demonstrations for Cold Frames, Vegetable Gardens, a Greenhouse, a Grape Arbor and a Children’s Garden. As the 35 volunteers broke into smaller teams, I landed in the veggie garden group. Among many tasks, I would also be responsible for creating signage for each demonstration area. I was still having a hard time grasping the concept of a children’s garden and was apprehensive about that particular sign. The work began and I watched intently on the how the Children’s Garden (adjacent to the veggie garden) was taking shape. As time passed, I saw the little garden grow. With each passing phase, I began to understand the components for creating a successful area that could teach and inspire a young mind, and equally important, be fun!
The Children’s Garden created by members of the Purdue Marion County Master Gardener Association. Behind the small wheelbarrow, a platform lid can be lifted to reveal a sandbox.
The sign created for visitors to the garden reads: Gardening with kids will turn digging in the dirt into a lifetime of love and respect for nature. Simple and fun-to-grow seed selections are favorites of young gardeners. Try smaller plant varieties in containers as well.
Here are some tips for creating a Children’s Garden:
- Keep it small so the garden isn’t overwhelming. Measuring out a yardstick garden is plenty big for very young children.
- Give children a separate space to garden and involve them in selecting the space. This is a great teaching opportunity for you to talk about what is required for a successful garden.
- If space is very limited, gardening in containers can be fun and just as productive. Allow your child to exercise creativity by letting them choose the containers. Just remember to have good drainage in each container.
- Encourage enthusiasm by planting seeds that mature quickly.
- Vegetables are a good choice and among the most popular are radishes, pumpkins, carrots, lettuces, peas, broccoli and potatoes.
- Children are more encouraged to eat vegetables that they have grown themselves. Allow them to share in the harvest and preparation of the veggies.
- Make tripod supports out of twigs or bamboo so climbing plants such as beans, sugar snap peas, or nasturtiums grow up into a teepee shape.
- Add interest to the garden by adding some flowers. Be sure any flowers you plant are non-toxic.
- Garden ornaments and decorative elements make the garden visually stimulating. Colorful windmills add movement and discourage birds and critters from making the garden their favorite lunch buffet.
- Leave behind your ‘adult’ ideas about gardening. Perfectly straight rows are not necessary. The garden could be circular in design. You could make a pizza garden and divide the planting areas into wedge-shaped sections.
- Keep tasks short. Make a game out of pulling weeds or set short time limits to see how many weeds can be pulled in the allotted time. Post a garden calendar in your child’s room or on the refrigerator and cross off the days when each task is completed.
- Children should have their own tools for gardening. Be creative by using old heavy kitchen spoons for digging and measuring cups for scoops. Child-sized tools can also be purchased at most garden shops.
- Keep the emphasis on fun and creativity. If your child would rather play in the soil or look at insects instead of pull weeds, it’s ok. They’re still learning!
- Always seize the “teachable moment.” Don’t fight their short attention span. Explore and talk through the wonders they find.
- Keep safety in mind. Have your soil tested prior to planting any edible garden. Resist the urge to use poisonous chemicals and sprays on a child’s garden.
Final thoughts: I can only remember one growing project I had in elementary school (4th grade). That was a long time ago… but I still remember it. As an adult, I now wonder what kind of impact we could have on our youth if they were exposed to more plant-based learning? All educators can use outdoor gardens, natural settings or plant activities in their classroom lessons to enhance a child’s education. I applaud those schools that do. Until this happens in every school, we should all do our part to work with the little ones in our lives and make the most of all the teachable moments.