Gardening with kids

If you read my column regularly, then you know I am all about bringing people and plants together. Whether it be through gardening, healthy eating, or alternative and complementary therapies, my world revolves around plants. Realizing I normally target the adults when writing, I thought it was high time to write an article about gardening with children. Kids are people too!

I have personal hands-on experience working with the youth at the Salvation Army in Broomfield. The Birch Community Garden sits on the Salvation Army’s property. This past summer, we would take the kids into the garden each week for education and fun. Their faces would light up with excitement every single time.

According to Michigan State University Extension “young children can practice locomotor skills, body management skills and object control skills while they move from one place to the other carrying tools, soil and water”. Fine motor skills are also developed through grasping objects such as a spade, rake or tiny seeds. We all know that spending time outdoors getting some fresh air and being in touch with nature is good for us. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/gardening_with_young_children_helps_their_development.

Other positive aspects of youth in the garden include sensory stimulation. Children can water plants or learn about the process of growing their own food. By asking the youth questions and engaging the kids with the various stages of planting, growing and harvesting edible plants, cognitive development is enhanced.

Bonding with children in the garden will help them create memories and possibly a lifelong love of growing things. Tending to live plants can develop qualities such as responsibility, independence, leadership, empathy, teamwork and problem solving.

The University of New Hampshire Extension gives us a few ideas. A small raised bed about three feet by three feet is a good size for a young gardener. Involve the kids in planning and planting the garden. For very young children, focus on growing plants that have big seeds, such as sunflowers, peas, beans, cucumbers, pumpkin and squashes. For the older children, try plants they can eat, such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, and herbs. https://ceinfo.unh.edu/Community-Gardens/Gardening-Children.

Another idea from UNH is to plant a pizza garden “grown in the shape of a wheel with each wedge planted with a pizza ingredient”. Or try a rainbow garden, where the kids choose plants that represent all of the colors of the rainbow. For example, red salvia, yellow marigolds, green curly parsley, blue petunias, etc. You can take the children to your local nursery to pick out the seed packets.

Based on my experience with children and gardening, they don’t care if they are pulling weeds or planting seeds. Watering was always a highly prized task. The kids happily carried bags of soil, dug in the dirt, spread mulch, looked for pests, and harvested. Child size gloves and tools are helpful.

If you don’t have the room or time to build a raised plot, then purchase some inexpensive planter pots to sit on your patio or balcony. Small bush type edible plants, such as cherry tomatoes or cucumbers, as well as most herbs will do well in containers.

Make gardening a family affair this year. Your kids will love it!

Kelley Rawlsky has an M.S. in horticulture and is the director of Bringing People and Plants Together, an organization dedicated to bringing horticulture education and therapy to the community. For more information: PeopleAndPlantsTogether@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.

Article originally published in Broomfield Enterprise - April 15, 2018