Teaching your child to garden is a useful tool in life. As food becomes more expensive, gardens can fulfill dietary needs. A garden provides healthy food as well. Your child can learn about life cycles and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Whether you have a garden or want to start one, here are a few tips.
Give Them A Plot
The first way to keep your child interested is by giving them their own little section. Three feet by three feet is a good way to smart. It can always grow as your child and their interest grows. You can find kid-friendly gardening tools so they can do the work. You can start your child with their own garden when they are able to communicate. If your child has physical limitations, work with them. Learn new ways of sowing, harvesting, and watering. All children can work in a garden, it takes adjustments to make it work.
Give The Plot A Theme
One way to keep their interest is by choosing plants they love. Let’s say your child loves pizza. You can help them grow tomatoes, oregano, and any vegetables they like on their pizza. Some children won’t want to start with food. That is okay, there are other gardens that can assist in sustainability. Bee gardens is a perfect example. They can learn about how bees contribute to gardens. Planting flowers to keep out insects or vermin is another. You can move to food for them when they are ready.
Opt For Quick Growers
Children don’t have the patience for waiting months for food to grow. Offer ideas around foods that are quick growers. Sunflower, pumpkin, and squash are fast growers. They are also pretty in color and identifiable. That helps them stay motivated. Another option to consider is snacking plants. Lettuces, snow peas, and cherry tomatoes are perfect. They can pick a little bit and eat it right away. If you want to focus on easy to recognize, add some carrots and potatoes.
Work Together
One of the best things to do for a child is to work with them in the gardening. Weeding, watering, and talking to the plants are bonding time. You can talk about how much the plants have grown. You can get excited when the first cherry tomato appears. Gardening is a time to be together and enjoying it. You can also show them that when they are unhappy, tending to a garden can help them feel better. If you need to discipline your child, don’t take away gardening time. Punishments are important but gardening can be helpful. Especially when they are struggling with mistakes.
Be Flexible
There will be times when your child doesn’t want to go to the garden. Let them be. If they lose interest, come back to it at another time. Gardening is important and they need to come to it when they are ready.
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