Gardening is a fantastic way to introduce children to the wonders of nature, teach them about responsibility, and give them the chance to watch something grow from seed to harvest. It’s a hands-on activity that sparks creativity, patience, and a sense of accomplishment as kids see the fruits of their labour (quite literally!). Whether you have a small garden or just a window box, gardening can be enjoyed by kids of all ages and abilities.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the joys of gardening for kids, and help you understand what time of year is best for planting different vegetables and plants. Let’s dig in!
Why Gardening Is Great for Kids
Before we get into planting schedules, let’s explore why gardening is such a wonderful activity for children:
- Learning Responsibility: Kids learn how to care for plants, water them regularly, and watch them grow. It teaches them patience and the rewards of effort.
- Connection with Nature: Gardening helps children connect with the natural world, giving them an appreciation for where their food comes from and the importance of sustainability.
- Science in Action: Gardening offers countless lessons in biology, ecology, and the environment. Kids can learn about plant life cycles, pollination, and how weather affects growth.
- Physical Activity: Gardening involves digging, planting, and weeding, which are great ways for children to get active while having fun outdoors.
- Creativity and Problem-Solving: Kids can express their creativity by choosing what to plant, designing their garden space, and coming up with creative ways to protect plants or make them grow faster.
Now that we know why gardening is so great for kids, let’s talk about what to plant and when!
What to Plant and When: A Seasonal Guide
Gardening with kids means knowing what to plant at the right time of year. Each vegetable and plant has its own growing season, and understanding these seasons is key to a successful garden. Here’s a guide to planting vegetables and flowers throughout the year, with tips on when to start and what works best for young gardeners:
Spring (March – May)
Spring is the ideal time to start planting in most parts of the world. As the weather warms up and the frost begins to melt, the soil becomes perfect for planting a variety of crops.
- Vegetables to Plant:
- Carrots: Carrots are easy to grow and can be sown directly into the soil. Kids will love pulling them up when they’re ready!
- Lettuce: Lettuce grows quickly and doesn’t require much maintenance. It’s also fun to watch it grow from tiny seeds to full leaves.
- Peas: Peas love the cool spring weather and are perfect for kids to plant in early spring. They’ll enjoy watching the pods develop.
- Radishes: Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, making them a great choice for young gardeners who want quick results.
- Spinach: Spinach is another cool-weather crop that can be grown early in the spring.
- Flowers to Plant:
- Sunflowers: Sunflowers are easy to grow, and children love watching their giant flowers bloom. They can be planted in late spring when the soil has warmed up.
- Marigolds: Marigolds are hardy and colourful, perfect for a child’s garden.
- Daffodils: While they’re planted in the fall for spring blooms, now’s a good time to discuss next fall’s bulb-planting with kids so they can look forward to their spring arrival.
Summer (June – August)
Summer is a time for kids to enjoy the full bloom of their gardens. Some vegetables need a bit of extra warmth to grow, making the summer months ideal for planting.
- Vegetables to Plant:
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes thrive in the summer sun and are easy for kids to harvest. They can start from seeds indoors in the spring and be moved outside in early summer.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers grow well in the warm summer months and are a great choice for children to grow on trellises or vines.
- Courgettes: Courgettes grows quickly, making it fun for kids to watch it transform from small plants to large, edible vegetables.
- Beans: Beans grow rapidly in warm weather and are an excellent way for children to learn about climbing plants and vine structures.
- Flowers to Plant:
- Geraniums: These colourful flowers are great for kids’ gardens, adding bright pops of colour.
- Lavender: Lavender can be planted in early summer, and its sweet scent will attract pollinators while teaching kids about the importance of bees and other insects.
Autumn (September – November)
Fall is the time to wrap up summer harvests and start preparing for the cooler months ahead. It’s also the perfect time to plant crops that will flourish in autumn or even overwinter.
- Vegetables to Plant:
- Kale: Kale is a cool-season crop and can be planted in late summer or early fall to enjoy a harvest later in the season.
- Broccoli: Broccoli can be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. It’s a great way to teach kids about patience, as it takes a little time to mature.
- Cabbage: Cabbage is another vegetable that thrives in cooler weather, making it perfect for a fall garden.
- Garlic: Garlic is typically planted in fall and harvested the following summer. It’s a fun plant to grow, and kids can look forward to harvesting it the next year!
- Flowers to Plant:
- Pansies: Pansies are hardy flowers that can bloom even in the cooler weather of fall.
- Chrysanthemums: Chrysantheums are a classic autumn flower that can add colour to a fall garden.
Winter (December – February)
Winter is a quieter time in the garden, but it’s still a great opportunity to get kids excited about the next growing season and prep for spring.
- What to Do:
- Start planning next year’s garden: Discuss what worked well and what didn’t during the last growing season. Kids can help with designing new garden layouts and choosing what to plant next.
- Winter is also a great time to start indoor gardening projects. Kids can grow herbs in pots on windowsills, like basil, parsley, or chives, to keep the gardening spirit alive during the colder months.
Tips for Gardening with Kids
- Choose Easy-to-Grow Plants: Start with plants that are quick to grow and easy to care for, like radishes, sunflowers, and beans.
- Make It Fun: Turn gardening into a learning experience by teaching kids about the different parts of a plant, the importance of soil, and how seeds grow.
- Use Kid-Friendly Tools: Invest in small, lightweight gardening tools designed for children to help them feel involved in every step.
- Encourage Exploration: Let kids explore the garden at their own pace. They can help with planting, watering, and harvesting, but also take time to observe insects, birds, and other wildlife that visit the garden.
Gardening is an incredibly rewarding activity for kids, offering valuable lessons in nature, patience, and responsibility. By choosing the right plants and understanding when to plant them, children can enjoy watching their garden grow through every season. So, grab your gardening gloves, get the kids involved, and start planting—you might be amazed at what they can grow!