Get Kids into Gardening
Friday, November 6 by Hamish Dodd
G’day green fingers,
Hamish here. I hope the sky sparkled on Guy Fawkes and the rain wasn’t too much of a dampener?
People are commenting that they can’t believe they are still wearing scarves and stockings in November. It seems to me our seasons are dramatically changing. In the North its humid and warm enough to sow warm, summer loving plants but it might not be warm enough in the south yet, unless you have a greenhouse, like my Arthurs one, or an extremely forgiving partner who lets you take over the kitchen table or laundry with seedlings.
How is your vegie garden going? My garden is alive and kicking and everything is growing very well, My competition tomato plant is looking fantastic – it has already got flowers which of course will need to fruit. On another note, Hunter my 2 year old son, and I sampled some of the peas in the glass house but unfortunately we were a little early – give them another week and hopefully next time he won’t spit one out. I thought they tasted fine. My cucumbers are roaring along and so are the zucchini’s and of course my bean all of which I will be transplanting out next week.
This week I’m writing about getting kids into gardening. It’s fun and gives them an appreciation of fruit and vegies. Kids love watching things grow and controlling their own piece of dirt, so why not give them a segment of your plot and let them grow whatever they desire? A big pot is just as good if space is limited. Kids love planting sunflowers. Watching the giant stalks rise high and bloom is a delight. Sunflower seeds cost very little and start life like any other seedling. Your child can sow the seeds, transplant them and care for them. Other easy-to-grow plants that require little maintenance are sweet peas, pansies and marigolds. Succulents are also fabulous low care plants. Why not let your kids pick out the seeds or succulent they want? My sunflowers are up and growing very well and this week I took Hunter along to have a look at the garden but to be perfectly honest he was more interested in the watering can than any of my plants, but certainly loved getting stuck in helping Dad get the radishes out.
Growing radish and carrots are quick and rewarding for children, as well. I love sowing Yates alfalfa sprout seeds in broken egg shells and painting faces gently on the shell. When the sprouts start growing it looks like crazy hair. No matter what age teach children about gardening and make it a fun family activity – what a great way to spend more time with the kids and get beneficial returns. Hunter loves filling his watering can and helping water the plants. On particularly warm days he even takes charge of the hose. He enjoys digging around and eating strawberries from his aunt’s plot now too. Be warned that once your child is bitten by the gardening bug they might throw wobbles if they can’t get stuck in.
Making scarecrows has to be one of the most fun gardening activities. I’m an old married bloke now and I still get a thrill. There are so many variations on the classic old scarecrow -my favorite is using a sack and buttons to make the eyes on the head, stuffing it with straw, dressing it in one of dads old shirts, 2 bamboo stakes to hold it together and finally topping it with, as I recollect one of Mums latest sunhats.
The new Yates children’s gardening book is jammed packed full of amazing ideas. One idea I am going to steal is writing your child’s name on a baby zucchini and as it grows watching the name expand. How about making a Jack-o’-lantern for next Halloween? For detailed information and other cool activities check out Yates sponsored site www.coolkidsgrow.com. It’s a site of children’s gardening activities in schools and preschools around New Zealand. Netball veteran Irene van Dyk is the Kids Grow ambassador.
My tomatoes are little beauts. I don’t think I’ve ever grown such healthy tomato plants. I am putting it down to good drainage, and using Gro-Plus Tomato Food. I can’t wait to see your pictures capturing your tomato growing achievements in the great tomato growing competition. Remember that the winner of the competition gets a prize pack to the value of $575. Send in a picture of your tomato plant, a photocopy of your Yates garden diary with harvest weights and records.
And in other housekeeping matters, remember about the Nature’s Way competition where you can win gardening books including the new Yates children’s garden book. Send in a picture of your child/children doing some gardening and go into the draw to win one of 10 books signed by netball great Irene van Dyk (Kids Grow Ambassador). Entries must be received by December 1. Send your entry photos to Yates NZ, Po Box 1109 Auckland 1061.
Until next time, grow well green fingers.
Hamish
“Back to blog >”:/hamish-dodd/
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Nicole
Yates site member
18:33, 06 November 2009
i love it and i’m a kid i rule at getting big plates
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