Kids and Gardening

Raising kids requires lots of love, patience, and a little work. Gardening takes patience, work, and a love of what you are doing. If you have kids, why not try gardening with them?

I know some of you are thinking it's too much work. It doesn't have to be. Especially if you get the kids involved. Having your kids help out makes it fun-you don't think about it as being work so much. Rather, you look at it from their point of view. You can play in the dirt, play with rocks and sticks(to mark off areas of your garden), throw seeds around (plant them). Just being outside to "play". You can even do some gardening in the rain- as long as it's not coming down too hard and there's no lightning. It's a good way for everyone to get outside, get some fresh air, and get moving.

Decide what you want to grow. Then get busy and have some fun with your little ones.

Here's a few ideas for a play garden:

Grow a few rows of corn for the kids to run through. If space is limited, you can plant just two short rows. You'll have some home grown corn to eat, and then you can use the stalks for decoration. You can put a zucchini plant or two in the corn as well. It helps save on gardening space. Just two plants will give you plenty of zucchini.

Plant some pole beans. Use long poles or branches to build a trellis or tee pee for them to grow on. Your kids will have a "secret hideout" in the garden. They can eat some beans while they play.

Cherry tomatoes make a fun snack for little ones while playing. Staked up, they become tall "tomato trees." Give the kids small baskets or buckets to put the tomatoes in when picking. Kids have fun picking these because they can snack while they pick.

Grow a cucumber wall by training the plants up some chicken wire or string stretched between two posts. It makes them easier to pick. There is less chance of mildew growth on the plants as well because the air can get to them better.

Plant some sunflower seeds and maybe even some wildflower seeds in and along the edges of your garden. Wildflowers make good cut flower arrangements. Marigolds make a nice border around your garden-as long as you plant the shorter varieties.

I have only mentioned a few ideas here. I am sure you and your kids can come up with many more. Remember, you don't need a lot of space to grow a garden. Just look at the space you have and plant your garden accordingly. Plant what you like and perhaps try something different. You might end up with a new favorite. Just as long as you find some enjoyment in your gardening. I'm sure your kids will. Sometimes, your little ones come up with the best ideas for in the garden. Be sure to listen to them. You never know what they might be thinking.