As spring approaches, a sense of excitement fills the air among local gardeners as they prepare to kickstart their seeds and condition their gardens for the upcoming abundance of fruit and vegetable starts. It’s also a great time to involve children in the excitement of planning and starting a gardening!
Being surrounded by the temptations of technology, encouraging kids to get outside and engage with nature can be a challenge. Gardening is a valuable tool to captivate their interest, offering a hands-on approach to exploring their outdoor world.
As kids dig into the soil, sow the seeds, and tend to the plants, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility. The act of caring for the seeds instills the concept of delayed gratification, offering a reward that comes from consistently caring for something over time. In our fast-paced “microwave society,” it can be an advantage for our children to understand that things require time and patience to grow.
Let’s explore some entertaining and budget-friendly ways to introduce kids to the joy of gardening!
• Craft environmentally-friendly seed pots using recycled newspapers. This engaging activity not only prepares for planting but also serves as an excellent rainy day project.
• Utilize everyday items like recycled yogurt or cottage cheese containers, and even milk jugs that are cut in half. Remember to poke a few small holes in the bottom for proper drainage.
• Use eco-friendly items like eggshells, egg cartons, or orange peels as planting containers. These can be directly planted in the garden, where they will biodegrade.
• If space is limited, sow seeds directly into a large pot or bucket, creating a compact and manageable container garden. This is ideal for patios or areas with minimal space.
• Capture your child’s interest by aligning the garden with their passions. Consider a pizza garden with basil, oregano, tomatoes, and onions. Or create a fairy garden, allowing them to plant flowers or succulents and add them to the container with fun trinkets.
• Foster excitement by planting something that grows taller than your child. Dill, with its tall and frilly leaves, or classic sunflowers, make for excellent choices.
• Opt for fast-growing options like radishes, lettuce, and some bean varieties, providing a sense of accomplishment as your little ones get to harvest their crops in no time.
By adding in creative and budget-friendly ideas, you’re helping cultivate a love for gardening and sparking the imagination of the young green thumbs in your life!
For more information on starting and growing a garden, visit: https://foodhero.org/gardening
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.