There’s no more incredible thrill for a gardener than to see tiny sprouts appear in the garden. And I’m not just talking about seedlings!
Introducing children to the garden is a beautiful way for them to connect to our natural world and gain lifelong skills that go well beyond growing plants.
For the adult gardener, it only enhances the pleasures of gardening, especially when you experience the garden with a child—seeing its wonders and beauty through their eyes.
The Garden’s Abundance
A garden’s bounty and natural beauty support the health and well-being of everyone—young and old. But for children, the garden offers many opportunities to grow, develop, and learn. It can foster their curiosity and creativity while serving as a natural classroom. Observing how plants grow and what insects are in the garden introduces children to concepts such as plant lifecycles, the role of pollinators in a garden, and sustainability.
Caring for and watching a plant grow, then waiting to harvest its fruit, teaches kids patience and responsibility. It’s also a safe place for children to experiment, celebrate successes, and learn from mistakes – all of which help them grow and flourish.
A garden brings joy to all who open their hearts to it. Numerous scientific studies have shown that the tranquility of a garden reduces stress and boosts mood. Tending a garden fosters physical fitness and creates more “outdoor” time while reducing “screen time”—something everyone, not just kids, can benefit from!
Opening Young Minds
One of the most intriguing results of introducing children to the garden is their willingness to eat, or at least try, the produce they have grown. Studies have shown that kids who participate in garden activities consume more fruits and vegetables, leading to healthier eating habits (but let’s keep that a grown-up secret!).
The garden also presents opportunities for children to grasp the importance of generosity and sharing. From cheering up someone’s day with a small bouquet to harvesting a basket of zucchini for the local food bank, children can learn compassion and kindness towards others.
Create an Indoor Herb Garden for Kids
We typically think of gardening as a warm-weather activity; however, you can introduce kids to gardening anytime by creating a simple indoor herb garden. Quick-growing and fragrant herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme grow well indoors on a well-lit counter or windowsill.
In addition to learning how the herb garden grows, kids can experience using herbs in the kitchen, like adding basil to pasta, thyme to roasted carrots, or fresh mint to ice cream.
Involve the children in the process, from choosing what herbs to grow and selecting a growing container to preparing the soil and planting.
A quick way to start the garden is to purchase herb plants from a garden center or grocery store. New plants can also be started from cuttings from existing herbs. When placed in water, cut stems of basil and mint will sprout roots quickly. Once roots are about an inch long, they can be transplanted into soil.
Herb seeds can also be sown directly into the soil; however, most herbs take two weeks or more to germinate from seed. If you choose to grow from seed, I recommend starting basil—it germinates quickly.
Another fun activity for the indoor herb garden is making plant markers to identify the herbs. These can be anything from painted rocks to wine corks on a skewer or painted wooden craft sticks.
To continue the learning process, help children find simple recipes that use the herbs growing in the indoor garden. They will likely be eager to taste the results.
When warmer weather arrives, the herbs can be transplanted outdoors, where the joy of gardening and learning continues.
Gardening with children nurtures their development, instilling a lifelong appreciation for nature, responsibility, and healthy living. And what gardener wouldn’t want to grow that?
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