by Christine Thalls and Anjali Shastry
We love summer! With warm weather comes jacaranda trees blooming in the sunshine, tomato vines crawling up the trellis, and sunflowers bringing brightness into every part of our day. We get so excited about being out in Bill’s Backyard in the Thrive Garden tending to our plants, and so do all of our visitors. Children of all ages love seeing where artichokes come from, harvesting chard, and sticking their hands in the dirt.
This warm season, bring the joy of the garden to your home! Whether you have a backyard garden, a few pots on your front porch or herbs growing in your kitchen, get your children involved in the process.
Why garden with kids?
It’s never too early to garden alongside the children in your life!
- Gardening teaches children patience and perseverance, how to observe the world around them, what it takes for living things to grow and thrive, and empathy for the natural world. We need children to be environmental stewards to take care of this world, so teach them young to root for the Earth!
- Growing vegetables and fruits at home will help kids understand where their food comes from and how freshly picked food can taste and look different from food in the grocery store. Homegrown veggies are radishing!
- This is science learning at its finest. Children can learn the parts of plants and how those plant structures help the plant grow. How do leaves help the plant grow? Why do plants grow flowers before the tomato appears? What is the purpose of seeds in a bell pepper? Children are introduced to scientific practices by asking questions and making observations.
- Being outside gets kids moving. Get active by digging, moving tools around, and playing with soil. Studies suggest that kids who encounter soil may have a more robust immune system, so lettuce get healthy!
- How exciting is eating something you’ve grown yourself! Digging those carrots out of the soil and putting them on your plate is such a satisfying feeling, and kids may be more inclined to eat their veggies.
- Gardening is an economical hobby — seeds are fairly affordable and you don’t need to get too fancy with containers. Upcycle any container into a planter by drilling holes for drainage, and instead of a store-bought watering can, use a plastic cup with holes in the bottom. Make upcycling even more fun by decorating your homemade planters!
- Don’t have a big backyard garden? You can grow plants in small spaces too, either indoors or out. Plants want to grow, you just have to create conditions for them to thrive. (Aren’t kids just the same?)
- Foster a sense of responsibility in your youngsters and give them lots of encourage-mint as they learn to take care of a living thing!
- Raising plants is a boon for mental health! Adults feel the benefits of being in the garden, and kids do too! It’s such a peas-ful activity.
- Gardening in a community garden plot? There is no better way to build community and meet your neighbors — plant some fronds and make some friends!
So how do we get started?
Now is a great time to plant bean or sunflower seeds with children. These seeds are bigger than other veggies or flowers so they’re easier for children to handle. They also both pop up quickly, are fast growing, and hardy, so every day will bring a new surprise!
Remember, it’s avocaDO, not avocaDON’T. Have fun and say aloe to your plants from us!
