Gardening with Young Children

GARDENING WITH CHILDREN: CONTAINER GARDENS
You may not have the same size plot as First Lady Michelle Obama, but you still can garden with the kids using containers. Here are a few ideas:
Bushel Basket Vegetable Garden
You don't need a big backyard to plant a vegetable garden. Create a basket garden to help your child learn about plant growth.
You'll need:
• bushel basket • stapler • plastic bag • soil • leaf lettuce, radish, green onion seeds • watering can
What to do:
1. Together line the basket with a heavy-duty plastic bag.
2. Punch holes in the bottom of the bag for drainage.
3. Staple the top of the bag to the basket so that it fits snugly.
4. Challenge children to fill the basket with soil.
5. Then invite them to choose what should be grown--leaf lettuce, radishes, green onions, etc.
6. Read the instructions on the seed package to your group.
7. Count out the appropriate number of seeds together and let each child put some in the soil.
8. Keep the basket in a sunny place.
9. Encourage children to water the soil when the surface becomes dry.
Unusual Pots for Plants
Planting seeds or cuttings suddenly becomes great fun when the pot you're using is an old hat or an old sneaker! The children will become excited about finding odd things to use as planters!

You'll need:
• herbs • small flowers • strawberries or grass • old sneakers, hats, and so on • water • plastic • soil
What to do:
1. Help children plant herbs, small flowers, strawberries, or grass in unusual planters, such as old sneakers, hats, and anything else they can think of.
2. Help children line the planters with plastic and fill with soil.
3. Encourage them to plant the seeds and keep them in a sunny place.
4. Help your group water when the soil becomes dry.
5. Invite children to display their unusual garden on a windowsill or on a table.

Plant a Terrarium
Terrariums give us a chance to create miniature gardens. Create a microcosm of nature with your group; it's a science lesson beautiful enough to be a centerpiece.
You'll need:
• aquarium *potting soil *clear plastic wrap *miniature plants *rocks, shells or sticks
What to do:
1. Making a terrarium helps demonstrate how plant environments can become almost self-supporting. Moisture from the plants condenses and falls back to water the soil.
2. Use an old aquarium or any container large enough to contain several inches of potting soil.
3. If you don't have a lid, tape clear plastic wrap over the aquarium.
4. Loosen the cover if too much moisture collects or when plants become large enough to need fresh air daily.
5. Miniature ivy and other tiny plants work well in terrariums.
6. Gardening shops can advise as to which plants and soil blends make successful terrariums.
7. Landscape with interesting rocks, shells, and sticks.
This time of year is perfect weather for outdoor activities. Get your group into gardening—it’s fun and rewarding.
Source for activities: www.familytlc.net
Tania Cowling
Associate Editor/ EverydayTLC Online