Select as many different types as will very own, so keep them interested and view of their world can help parents
fit well into the allotted space. Carrots, aware of their garden by personalizing guide youngsters’ personal growth, as
fast-growing radishes and bite-sized it with a sign; say, “Mary’s Plot,” or well as their gardening skills.
cherry tomatoes are good vegetable “John’s Place.” Finally, remember that half the fun
choices. Kids also love to water—partic- is to pick, wash and cook the bounty.
For flowers, choose some that can ularly with the full force of the hose. Big and small folks alike revel in the joy
be used as cut flowers or as special Reminders that rain usually falls more of the harvest.
gifts for Mom, like zinnias, marigolds, gently encourage them to take it easier. Ted Fisher is a county extension
snapdragons or salvia. For a spectacu- A personalized sprinkling can is a good horticulturist emeritus with the Texas
lar touch, also plant a few sunflowers, idea for younger children. AgriLife Extension Service.
which not only can tower up to 10 feet Wait before weeding. Even adults For age-appropriate activities and
tall, but supply edible seeds. can have difficulty distinguishing small, other helpful insight, see: Gardening
Include herbs such as basil and wanted plants from unwanted weeds. with Children, by Monika Hanneman;
parsley for garden grazing. Yummy Often, it’s best to let things grow a little. A Child’s Garden, by Molly Dannen-
fragrances come courtesy of lemon As they do, let the garden teach recy- maier; BackyardNature.net; and Kids-
verbena, rose-scented geraniums and cling. Grass clippings, shredded leaves Gardening.org/primer.asp.
pineapple salvia. Some plants are just and vegetable matter, placed into a
for touching, like perennial lamb’s ears, homemade compost bin, recycle them-
with their soft, fuzzy leaves, in silvery selves into highly nutritious soil for plants.
shades of green. “Patience is a virtue,” advises the
Starting from seed that the family adage, and the wait for flowers and
has selected together from a catalog vegetables to mature can teach the
provides a wondrous learning experi- rewards of patience. Watching a garden
ence. Small children find large seeds grow may not be easy: Children may
such as corn, beans, pumpkins, zuc- want to pull up young root veggies to
chini and sunflowers easy to handle see if they are “done.” Even if they do
and plant. Colorful annual bedding pull sprouting produce, the edibles may
plants such as petunias, pansies or peri- be just big enough to wash off and give
winkles are also excellent choices for a them a taste of better things to come.
ready-made start to the season. Gardening provides an ideal time
Use the seed packet, stapled to a to talk to a child about how plants grow
stake with a child’s name written on it, and the role of worms, insects and birds
for easy identification. Bedding plants as nature’s caretakers. Ask them, “If
picked out together at a nursery usually you were a plant, what kind would you
come with a plant tag, as well. Vivid be, and why? What would you tell the
pictures help children imagine what gardener?”
will grow. The discoveries and lessons never
Children love something of their cease. The often surprising child’s-eye
May 2009 11
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