Life is a Garden Let’s Grow Together

The Roots Run Deep 

By the time I was knee-high, my love for gardening had roots running deep into the ground. Some of my fondest memories of my younger years include lazy summer days spent outdoors growing among the vines and the wildflowers. Whether it was poking holes in the ground for seeds, munching on sweet strawberries straight from the patch, snapping beans at the table, or making crowns out of daisy chains, there’s one thing that stands out among the foliage: the memories we made together as a family. Now, as a mother of two, incorporating my passion for gardening has been a fulfilling and enjoyable tradition for our family.

Sowing the Seeds of Opportunity 

Looking for inspiration and connection with your family outdoors and in the garden? With so many different options for gardening these days (potted gardens, grow bags, in-ground, flower beds, etc), gardening with children is not only easily accessible but also beneficial for their overall growth. Gardening can instill valuable life lessons such as the responsibility of tending to something alive, taking pride in one’s work, and patience. At the same time, a plant thrives from seed to fruit-bearing. It also helps with coordination and fine motor skills through tasks such as pouring from a watering can, pulling weeds, or plucking ripe fruit off the vine. Healthy eating habits can also be encouraged through gardening. Allowing children to choose fruits and vegetables to tend themselves encourages children to try fresh produce. It gives them the opportunity to converse about how these foods can fuel their bodies. 

Below are five beginner-friendly gardening activities and ideas to spark a green thumb in children of all ages. 

1. Plant a pollinator’s paradise. For flower-loving families, growing plants that attract bees and butterflies will not only give pollinators a great source of food but will also leave you with beautiful blooms in your backyard! Zinnias are the perfect flower to start off with in your garden. They are easy to grow, easy to maintain, and come in a plethora of vibrant colors. They also grow well in pots or planted in the ground. Because they produce all summer, these flowers will make the prettiest bouquets for your table. Add a little flair to your pollinator garden by placing a bee watering station among the flowers. Take a small shallow bowl, fill it with marbles or small pebbles, and place it in your garden to collect water for friendly pollinators. 

2. Create a themed garden. This idea is perfect for the child who’s hands-on in the kitchen. A salsa or pizza garden is a perfect example of how to enjoy the “from garden to table” experience. Research what ingredients you would need to create the perfect salsa or pizza sauce and plan together what plants you’ll grow in your garden. 

For younger kiddos, a sensory garden is a perfect teaching opportunity. Ideas include introducing colors, textures, and scents. Lambs’ ears have soft, velvety leaves covered in fuzz. Basil and mint produce fragrant leaves (Note: confine mint to a pot as it will spread easily). Colorful or unique flowers will also add a little pizazz to your sensory garden. Snapdragons are perfect for little hands to pinch the sides of the blooms to “open” the dragon’s mouth, and they come in many different appealing colors. 

A word of caution: Please be sure to research kid-safe options for touch-and-taste sensory gardens. Not all plants should be handled with bare hands or consumed.

3. Decorate your garden space together with a little paint. Allow creativity to flow by designing one-of-a-kind flower pots. Ones made out of terra cotta work exceptionally well. Grab some smooth rocks and paint them into ladybugs or beetles to bring a little whimsy to landscaping or garden beds. Rocks, as well as old wooden spoons, can also be used as plant markers. Hand-drawn fruits or vegetables, or simply the names of what you’re growing, can be painted and placed on or in the ground to help keep track of what’s growing when plants are in the seedling stage. 

4. Grow kid/beginner-friendly plants as a family. Cherry tomatoes are heavy producers and perfect for little fingers to pull off the ripened fruit. Also willing to produce in large amounts, zucchini is ideal for clearly identifying the growth process of its fruit. Radishes grow to maturity quickly and pull from the ground with minimal effort. If space is limited, carrots can be grown in containers in large quantities in the spring or fall. Invent a guessing game out of how big or long each carrot might grow!