My grandkids must have inherited my mud love because they enjoy garden experiences. In search of great plant deals, they like going to farmer’s markets, local greenhouses and yard sales. When they see a plant sitting on my steps, waiting to be planted, they run for the shovels and are ready to dig. The kids wander my garden paths, study blooms with wonder, and beg to give drinks to the flowers with the hose.
Including kids in gardening experiences also has its drawbacks, making it a joyous but frustrating experience. Plants get pulled instead of weeds, little feet step where they shouldn’t, lots of things end up in the pond, plants in bloom get completely deflowered and rock walls occasionally tumble down. Once my youngest granddaughter sat on a mound of Autumn Joy and proclaimed it to be a nice little stool.
To garden with kids a certain mindset needs to get nurtured. I know that damaged plants usually grow back. Sometimes the growing has to wait a season, but the plants have always returned. Kids and grandkids grow up and start to prefer friends to grandmas. So I tell myself, “I don’t just grow plants, my garden helps me grow relationships.” Letting go of the “perfect garden” and embracing the creation of memories has opened the way to numerous hours of time spent with my grandkids. I hope the kids will carry garden memories with them for their life.
“My First Garden” offers a teacher’s guide, the basics, planning and a gallery.
“Gardening with Children” focuses on the children creating a garden.
About.com gives advice, resources and garden projects for kids.
“Kiddie Gardens” gives advice on growing vegetables and creating a learning environment.
“Indoor Gardening Projects For Children” suggest some projects to garden over the winter months.
Including kids in gardening experiences also has its drawbacks, making it a joyous but frustrating experience. Plants get pulled instead of weeds, little feet step where they shouldn’t, lots of things end up in the pond, plants in bloom get completely deflowered and rock walls occasionally tumble down. Once my youngest granddaughter sat on a mound of Autumn Joy and proclaimed it to be a nice little stool.
To garden with kids a certain mindset needs to get nurtured. I know that damaged plants usually grow back. Sometimes the growing has to wait a season, but the plants have always returned. Kids and grandkids grow up and start to prefer friends to grandmas. So I tell myself, “I don’t just grow plants, my garden helps me grow relationships.” Letting go of the “perfect garden” and embracing the creation of memories has opened the way to numerous hours of time spent with my grandkids. I hope the kids will carry garden memories with them for their life.
“My First Garden” offers a teacher’s guide, the basics, planning and a gallery.
“Gardening with Children” focuses on the children creating a garden.
About.com gives advice, resources and garden projects for kids.
“Kiddie Gardens” gives advice on growing vegetables and creating a learning environment.
“Indoor Gardening Projects For Children” suggest some projects to garden over the winter months.
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