kids garden

[Yvonne Belisle]

What are people's views on kids gardens? I am going to post this in the green room to so that people know it's here. Sadly this fits both forums so I don't know where to put it. I am thinking it would be a great summer project for kids of older ages. Perhaps setting a hope or wish then planting accordingly. Small paths can be put in with a few stones that also correspond with what they wish to work in effect you would have a living spell. Please list some ideas this could be fun and even if you don't do it this year you could do it for yourself or in a future year. A table top garden would be a great gift for anyone. Use plants that simbolize your wishes it would be a great housewarming gift. A lot of plants have mini varieties to use indoors.

[*ULA*]

A kids garden sounds like a really cool idea.. like using some simple plants (kids like flowers..) - letting them design it! Not a parent myself, but if I were, I'd be all about this idea, yvonne.

Don't worry - I think more people will start flocking to the green room.

[moonmagick4]

That is a great idea!!Kids can learn a lot of responsibility by planting their own garden.And they can learn a lot!!And they will be so proud when everything grows or when they can eat one of the vegetables or fruits.Depending on what they plant!!

[Yvonne Belisle]

You can also make living "spells". Imagine a small plot just for special spell or blessing. Table top living spells in table planters. It is an idea that can be used by all ages. Just as gardens can be theme oriented imagine spell oriented.

[Lavender]

Kid's garden is a great idea! My son has his own area where he plants whatever he wants. He also gives me a hand in my herb garden too as well as my hubby's veggie garden. Right now, my son has maple & chestnut trees planted in pots. When they get too big, we're going to find them a good home in the forest & start over again. Even if you don't have a yard, just container planting is great for kids. It's exciting for them to watch the seeds sprout & grow into a beautiful plant. Sunflowers are great for kids...there are some varieties that are small enough to grow in pots.

[ruthie]

Elea has been planting this year. We have managed to find some (not too many) varieties especially for children, so she gets to see them grown. At three (nearly four), she is a little heavy handed with watering so we do it together. She enjoys seeing the plants come on, but as of yet, getting her hands dirty is something she won't even consider. She enjoys seeing mommy do it though!

[Vinga]

I had a tiny garden when I was little, I think I was about 4-5 years old when I started :). Not very big, perhaps 2 x 3 ft. It's probably important not to start them off with too much or they'll get bored of weeding. My sister and I were allowed to pick whatever we wanted to grow and we planted everything from seed. I remember growing parsley, carrots, lettuce and a few flowers.
I think something that would be great to get kids interested in gardening with would be berries. Raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry so they can just pick and eat or perhaps even a few tomato plants or sweet corn. Kids love when the things they have grown gets served on the dinnertable.
My stepdaughter is 5 and if we weren't moving this summer I would have her start her own patch this year, perhaps I'll get her something movable like a large pot with a berry bush to care for...if the dog would leave it alone...

[Hestia]

I started my 4 yr old son gardening this year. He has his own little pot of basil and a tomato plant right now. I let him pick the basil leaves whenever I make pasta and he gets to tear them up and mix it right in. He also started his own container of moon flowers along with mine but somehow he never got sprouts in his, so when my sprouts finally started coming out I added a few of mine to his before he got up one morning and he was so excited to find them!

[Yvonne Belisle]

I think kids get a lot out of seeing things grow and watching them tends to bring the magic back into it for us too. Seeing the world through fresh eyes we tend to notice how special things are in a busy world.

[Amora]

Excellent idea! I always let me 4 year old help me to weed and water but it never occurred to me to have her start her own garden. Thanks for the idea!!:) :D

[Yvonne Belisle]

It's spring time to think of these again :)