Here at Make Their Day Flowers we love to see children getting enthusiastic about plants and flowers when their parents bring them in to our Charlton Kings shop. It starts with the new generation and it’s also a great way to get them interested in what they are eating. The arrival of warm weather offers parents the prime opportunity to start a spring vegetable garden with kids.
When children grow their own food, they get a hands on lesson about nature. Gardening also introduces kids to simple science concepts, gives them an outlet for stress, teaches them to be self-sufficient, and provides a wonderful opportunity for the family to spend some quality time together.
Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat vegetables out of their garden. So if youngsters are finicky eaters, planting a vegetable garden is an ideal way to get them excited about snacking on leafy greens.
Choose a Sunny Spot for Kids’ Spring Vegetable Garden
Most vegetable plants require sunlight to grow. So choose a spot in the yard that gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If this is your first time gardening with kids, start with a small area to avoid being overwhelmed by the experience. Once everyone gets the hang of gardening, the area can be easily expanded.
Select Vegetable Plants That Grow During the Spring
During the spring months, kids can plant vegetables such as cabbage, celery, lettuce, parsley, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, chives, cucumbers, okra, squash, and tomatoes. As the spring makes way for summer, children can add more vegetable selections to their garden.
Invest in Child-Sized Gardening Tools
Imagine the frustration of digging in the dirt with a shovel that bends or breaks every time it hits the ground. Save the plastic tools for the sandbox; children need real tools to get the job done right. Obviously, kids won’t be able to manage adult-sized gardening tools, but with proper parental supervision, they can work with smaller ones.
Child-sized gardening tools can be purchased from large chain home improvements retailers such as Lowes or Home Depot. There are also plenty of online retailers that sell gardening tools that are designed for young children.
Let Children Do the Gardening Work
In order for children to gain benefits and feel a sense of ownership of their spring vegetable garden, they need to actively participate in everything from the planting to daily maintenance. Of course, if children are really young, most of the back-work will fall on the adults, but kids should still be allowed to do as much as they can on their own.
Armed with the right tools and information, starting a spring garden with kids can be a fun way to help them relieve stress, teach them about science and nature, and provide a valuable bonding opportunity for the entire family.
