As spring arrives, numerous parents eagerly anticipate the chance to join their children in cultivating vegetable and flower gardens, planting seeds that will yield a range of produce—or quirky carrots—they can harvest in summer. Involving children in gardening not only broadens their ecological understanding but also offers a multitude of mental and physical health advantages. It’s never too early to start teaching kids about gardening!
See the Big Picture
For kids, interacting with a garden transcends merely planting and caring for seeds. The garden is an integral part of a broader ecosystem that can motivate and educate children of various ages while also encouraging outdoor activity.
A survey by the David Suzuki Foundation in 2012 revealed that around 70% of young people spend an hour or less outside daily. This research emphasizes the significance of encouraging outdoor time from an early age, highlighting the crucial role parents play in motivating younger teens to engage with nature.
Nurturing Relationships
Gardening expert Tran recommends selecting plants that will capture children’s attention and encourage them to return throughout the season, fostering a bond between the child and the plant. Through ongoing interaction, children can:
- care for the plants
- observe their growth
- harvest the fruits or vegetables
- help incorporate them into meals
- use them for home decoration
- gift them to others
- dry them for later use
- save seeds for future planting
Tran also encourages teaching children about beneficial weeds like dandelion and chickweed, which can be edible.
Encourage Observation
One of the easiest methods to help children connect with nature is for parents to join them outdoors. Whether exploring a backyard, visiting a local park, or walking a nature trail, these experiences create opportunities for children to learn about the diverse natural surroundings.
By taking time to notice the flight patterns of birds, the colors of wildflowers, the busy squirrels, and the various tree canopies, parents and children can appreciate their neighborhood as a part of a larger natural world.
Foster Environmental Awareness
How does gardening relate to the ecosystem? By engaging the family in gardening projects, parents can illustrate that gardening encompasses more than just growing food or flowers.
Investigate which plants are best for drawing in pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Identify insects that prefer proximity to water areas or the shelter of rock gardens. Learn the name of a tree in the local park or the birds that visit your garden, and explore their special traits.
By grasping how these natural elements are interlinked, children can start to perceive their gardens as parts of a broader ecosystem.
Establish Connections
According to horticultural therapist Lea Tran from Guelph, Ontario, gardening instills a sense of purpose in children.
“They learn that all beings play a role in the ecosystem. Everything is intertwined, with each having something to contribute to the cycle of life,” she explains.
To help children appreciate the concept of an ecosystem, Tran suggests the following approaches:
- Engage in plant care as a fun, sacred, and significant duty.
- Establish routines for checking on the plants and provide journals for sketching and noting observations.
- Create dedicated sections in the garden for children to manage their own plants, nurturing a special bond with them.
“Encourage children to utilize all their senses in gardening,” Tran advises. “Being part of the family gardening experience exposes them to awe, wonder, and excitement.”
Night Time Exploration
When summer heat drives you indoors, consider enjoying the evening in your backyard or at a park. Observe nocturnal animals like bats and fireflies, or dig in compost for worms to enrich the soil in your garden.
Notice how the ecosystem dramatically shifts under a full moon, and how night sounds become more pronounced. Simply reclining on the ground while gazing at the stars can remind both kids and parents about the interconnectedness of all things; without essentials like light and moisture, gardening would not thrive.
Choosing What to Plant
To pique interest in gardening, Tran recommends selecting larger seeds that are manageable for young hands. Opt for plants that produce sizable seedlings and mature quickly, minimizing the chance of them being confused with weeds. Good choices for kids include:
- peas
- beans
- sunflowers
- pumpkins
Additionally, herbs such as mint, lavender, thyme, and rosemary are excellent to start from seedlings. If flowers are the focus, consider easy-to-grow varieties such as calendula, zinnias, and marigolds.
Creating a Bee House
Building a bee house for stingless Mason bees allows children to observe these important pollinators up close. To create a bee house, simply drill holes in a wooden block or fill a small container with hollow plant stems and hang it on a fence. Place the bee house outdoors in early spring so kids can watch the eggs hatch. Over the summer, larvae will transform into cocoons, and the following spring, the adult bees will emerge.
For more information about Mason bees, consult with personnel at your local gardening store.
Connecting with Nature
Extensive research shows that children who participate in gardening enjoy numerous benefits, including enhanced learning outcomes. Children inspired to eat what they grow also tend to make healthier food choices.
A 2013 review by the Back to Nature Network highlighted over 100 studies that focused on the link between natural spaces and health. The findings indicate that children who frequently engage with nature exhibit less aggressive behavior, greater self-control, and improved overall mental and physical well-being.
Ultimately, the golden rule for gardening with children is to prioritize fun. The more families spend time gardening together, the more chances they create to appreciate the buzzing of bees near zinnias or the cleverness of a chipmunk hiding sunflower seeds—all while snacking on oddly shaped, yet delicious, homegrown carrots.
