We’ve always had a garden – since the first Spring that we moved into our house. The first year our garden was great, but we were just learning.
The second year, I was 8 months pregnant, so I didn’t help Rob much. After Sophia was born, I really didn’t help much – someone else kept me a little busy.
Last year, our third with a garden, I had an almost 2 year old and a 4 month old… still not a ton of time to devote to raising more living things!
This year, oh this year, we have enjoyed our garden to the fullest… as a Family.
In fact, if we didn’t involve the girls in every aspect of gardening, it would probably never get done! I’ve found the key is to show them just how much I enjoy the activity of organic gardening and they’ll enjoy it more too!
Involving them in every activity, even if it does seem easier to just do it myself, makes the biggest difference to these little ladies.
Keeping the focus on fun and family has made our garden thrive this year and made our girls thrive just as much!
Gardening with Kids can be super easy. Just work on a bit more patience, creativity, and get ready to reap the benefits in both your food and your children!
Pick out Foods that they Like and Dislike
When you start planning your organic garden, get your kiddos involved.
While organic vegetable gardening with kids can lead to growing all yummy fruits, it’s important to encourage them to grow foods that they think they don’t like too.
There’s just something about eating a veggie that you’ve grown yourself that makes it taste even yummier!
Dig, Plant, and Water
Planting seeds is such a great science project for kids of all ages. It’s truly a miracle of life to see that big, beautiful, bountiful plants can come from a tiny seed.
Although we started most of our garden from organic plants this year, we did let Sophia plant some from seed so she could experience both.
She can quickly let anyone know what it takes to grow those seeds too – “Dirt, Water, and Sun!”
Maintain and Pull Weeds Together
Sure, pulling weeds isn’t my favorite gardening activity, but there’s no reason you should act like it isn’t.
My girls think that getting down on our hands and knees and pulling those little weeds from the dirt is one of the funnest things to do outside. Let’s see how long I can keep them thinking that way!
Appreciate Beauty
Gardening with Kids can definitely incorporate the beauty of the hobby too.
While the girls and I were shopping one day, I let them both pick out a flower. You won’t be surprised to know that Sophia picked out a blue Pansy and has enjoyed appreciating the beautiful flower every day since!
Incorporate Arts and Crafts
Sophia enjoyed painting her Spring Butterfly from a Cocoon Craft so much the other day that she wanted another craft project. I knew making something for the garden would be right up her alley, so we set out to make DIY Garden Markers.
I drew out a few vegetables that we’re growing on rocks and we both painted them. Although she might not stay quite in the lines yet, she did remember exactly what color she used for her veggie markers!
Harvest Together
Although we have quite a bit planted in our garden container boxes, the only fruits that we’ve harvested so far are strawberries. When the girls see a beautiful red strawberry, they get so excited – and I have to admit I do too.
Cook With Your Foods
Sophia loves to help me cook and I’m confident that when we start harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini, she’ll be eager to help cook them.
Right now, though, she’s happy to have the sweet strawberry juice running from her chin!
Let Them See YOU Enjoy the Activity
Making the activity fun has made all the difference in the world.
Gardening is fun for me, but gardening with my kids has far surpassed that. I love seeing their little eyes light up when I tell them it’s time to go water the vegetables or when they see how much the plants have grown after a Spring rain.
How do YOU incoroporate your Children into Gardening?
Do you have any special memories gardening with your parents?
In my next post, I’ll be sharing just how good the girls have been doing – by showing you the progress of all my organic vegetable plants!
5 Tips for Making a Kids Garden
Friday 1st of April 2016
[…] few years ago Sophia and I created these simple and adorable Vegetable Markers with rocks and paint and ever since we’ve always made a craft out of creating DIY Vegetable […]
Sarah Bee
Thursday 30th of July 2015
these are all really great benefits! I see this in my kids when we spend 2 months with my in-laws every summer - they have a huge organic garden that they help out with!
Reflecting on Our Organic Gardening Journey
Monday 3rd of June 2013
[...] Gardening with Kids: 8 Ideas to Get Your Children Involved [...]
Jessica A
Wednesday 22nd of May 2013
Thanks for the post! I got this in my email first thing this morning and it gave me the kick to clean out the flowerbed in the front yard and have my son help me plant flower seeds and have a really good conversation on patience. (Something he struggles with but then again he's 3.)
He can't wait to be able to pick some for mommy :) I wish we could do a garden here but just not sure as it's really worth it currently....I don't know.
Lindsey
Thursday 23rd of May 2013
Aww, I appreciate the comment, Jessica! That makes me so happy - and yes, patience is definitely one of the learning experiences in gardening!
Prototype Mama
Tuesday 21st of May 2013
I so want to start a garden but I have the slightest idea where to start and if it's too late! I really think my kids would enjoy and I could probably make it apart of their homeschool curriculmn!
Lindsey
Wednesday 22nd of May 2013
It's not too late at all - well, I guess it depends on where you live! ;) We're doing a few plants in containers, like big flower pot containers, on our back deck too! The kids could totally do that!