Tips For Gardening With Kids
There are many benefits of kids gardening. In addition to providing physical activity, children can learn about the cycle of life. In fact, gardening is often called a form of “heavy work” because it involves digging and weeding. Research has shown that children are calmer and more attentive when they are engaged in gardening activities. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce kids to the joy of gardening. Listed below are some tips for getting your kids involved.
Start small. You can start small by cultivating a small space or by planting seeds in containers. You can also choose to grow plants that flower quickly, since children are naturally drawn to color and scent. Children also learn about wildlife while cultivating a garden, so be sure to choose plants that are native to your area. It’s best to add lures to attract local creatures. Kids are eager to learn about nature, so be sure to model the healthy habits you have.
Kids are very tactile. Choose sensory plants that your child can play with. Children love different textures, so make planting fun by including them in your garden. Your child will be happy to discover that there are new textures in the world! Incorporating new flavors will help them become accustomed to new tastes and smells. It’s also a great way to teach your child to take responsibility for their own health. They’ll grow up to be amazing people and plants with lots of nutrients.
Kids can also help prepare the planting beds and learn about how to grow a plant. You can give them seeds of their favorite toppings to eat, or they can help you with backyard chores. For the more adventurous, you can even get them to grow their own tomatoes and peppers. All this will help your child develop an interest in the process of growing and nurturing their own plants. When your children learn that these are fun activities and will provide many opportunities for learning, they’ll love gardening as well.
After preparing the soil and watering, it’s time to plant your seeds. Watering is essential to maintaining healthy soil, but remember to only do so when the plants have sprouted. Overwatering is just as bad as under-watering. Make sure you follow the directions for planting specific crops. Kids can also create pizza gardens and use crumpled newspapers as mulch. Once they’re sprouted, they can plant seeds on a row, labeling their spots with signs of the vegetables they’re growing.
Children can also create self-sustaining gardens, called terrariums, indoors. They can even make their own terrariums, and observe the cycle of life as it happens in nature. It’s fun and teaches children a valuable lesson about the cycle of life. If you’re unsure of how to get started, try creating a terrarium first. You’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily kids will pick up gardening and love it.