Gardening with Kids

Photo credit Love and Covenant

Want to know the secret to getting your kids to eat their vegetables? Get your kids to grow their own vegetables. My kids won’t eat fennel if it comes from the refrigerator. But if we’re outside in the garden, I find them munching on fistfuls of it. Chewing it like an oversized piece of bubble gum.

My approach to gardening with kids is child-centered, emphasizing process over product. Every kid is unique, and so every garden will be unique. Gardens are dynamic, living spaces, so be prepared to grow and change with them. Here are a few tips and tricks that I found have helped our family while gardening with kids.

Create a kid-friendly gardening space

Create a sign with your kids that designates their space. Whether you give them a single pot, or their own plot, having their own space provides a sense of ownership and responsibility.

I recommend having baskets and buckets that you can easily throw tools and toys into. We have a few on the porch that are easily accessible for kids to grab from, and clean up afterwards.

Use popsicle sticks or something similar to create labels for their plants. Because you will forget. Everyone forgets.

Full sun is best for edibles and flowers. You’ll also want an easily accessible water source. The closer you can be to the water, the better. But filling up a watering can and lugging it across the yard can be half the fun.

Photo credit Love and Covenant

Easy to grow flowers and edibles

Flowers- zinnias and sunflowers

Edibles- okra, beans, tomatoes, broccoli, fennel, ground cherries

The UF/IFAS website has some helpful planting calendars that are good for beginners. But you’ll find what works best for your microclimate.

*Quick note- don’t let your kids eat the leaves from the nightshade family (tomatoes, eggplant) as they’re poisonous. But I mean, if something tastes bad, they won’t eat it.

Garden adjacent activities

There are so many activities and explorations that can come out of gardening. Some of our favorites are creating fairy houses, water play, mud pies, mud kitchen, and forts. The possibilities are endless.

How to keep your sanity

When you combine dirt, water, and sun, things can get messy and stressful. So I just assume they always will. Before going outside, I put towels by the front door, so we’re ready to wipe off when it’s time to come in. I fill up water bottles, and bring out the snacks, so there’s no whining. But also, I allow for a moment of whining or crying, which they always get over.

My kids do occasionally trample through “my” garden, but it’s something they have to be taught not to do. Gentle reminders to “stay on the path” or “hold my hand” are all they need. Or, ya know, spray ‘em with the garden hose. Which they love. Designate paths and boundaries, as needed, to keep everyone safe and sane.

At the end of the day, your kid will love what you love. What you pay attention to grows. I hope you find the garden to be a place where you can witness each other unfolding and growing into who you are.

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