Home Gardening For Kids

Gardening can be a lot of fun for kids and families, and you can learn a lot, too. You'll learn about responsibility, and you'll also learn about how plants grow and where a lot of the food you eat comes from. It's also fairly simple to start a garden at home, and it doesn't cost very much money, either

Gardening Basics

When you decide to start a garden, one of the first things you'll need to figure out is where you'll do it. Sunlight is one of the most important things to think about. The garden should be in a spot where it will receive a lot of sun. Soil quality is also important. If the soil isn't very good for growing, you might need to add fertilizer or other supplements to make sure that the plants will grow well. Once you know that you have a good spot for your garden, create a plan for what you want to grow where. Permanent plants, called perennials, can be placed around the edges, and plants that will grow really tall should be planted at the northern end of the garden so they don't end up blocking other plants from getting enough sun. If you don't have a yard or you have a really tiny one, you can still have a garden, but you'll need to use containers. Plants can be planted in clay or plastic containers with potting soil. Make sure that the containers can drain properly to avoid root rot. New gardeners should also make sure they have the proper tools on hand, including rakes, spades, watering cans, trowels, and hoes.

Kid-Friendly Gardening Tips

For kids just starting out with gardening, it's a good idea to keep your garden small, maybe just a three-foot square. Be sure to plan out what you want to grow and where, so you know that you'll have enough space for everything. And you'll want to make sure that you have kid-sized garden tools that are comfortable to use. You might also have fun with your garden by creating your own little fence to go around the outside or making signs that label which types of plants you have planted.

Plants Kids Love to Grow

When you're picking which things to plant, focus on things that will grow quickly and things that you can identify. You might also want to pick things that have bigger seeds, since they'll be easier to work with when you're planting them. Good plants to put in your garden might include peas, pumpkins, sunflowers, and squash. It's also really fun to plant things that you like to eat, so you can eat what you grow. Cherry tomatoes grow quickly and make a great healthy snack for the home gardener. Lettuce and radishes also fit the bill. Plants that have fun textures can also be fun to grow, like ones that are fuzzy or prickly.

Gardening Projects for Kids

A garden can be a creative and colorful place, and you can have even more fun with it when you have a theme for your garden. For instance, you might want to use a rainbow theme and grow plants in every color. Another fun idea is to grow a pizza garden: Plant tomatoes, garlic, and basil, adds onions and peppers if you like them, and you'll have a lot of what you need to make pizza!

Gardening Activities and Resources

Jaclyn Crawford
Staff Writer
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