With the weather getting warmer and the days a little longer why not keep the children busy over the Easter holidays and get them into the garden sowing, digging and learning…
I am sure this is a familiar story in many household around the UK and even the world – one of trying to drag your children away from their computers, tablets or TV and out into the garden.
But do persist because – what you will find is that when your attempts finally pay off and you get them gardening, that it helps them with their school studies and science projects.
Learn through sowing
Older children are more dextrous, so less help is needed with sowing. However it is still best to start with larger seeds that germinate quickly to keep their interest going.
Top Tips
1) Why not get the children to create a Record the life cycle of plants, plus they can also jot down pot sizes and how the seeds germinate. This can also include taking pictures and adding to the record.
2) Let the child be in charge and take responsibility for the plants, learning patience and gaining experience through successes and failures.
3) If you have the space in the garden, give them their own patch to plan out and help them learn the changes of the seasons and how plants perform through the year.
Learn through digging
There are many simple lessons to learn ahead of planting – such as how soil works, and what preparations and additions (organic matter etc) are needed.
If they aren’t into sport activities, gardening makes for great exercise and all the fresh air is good for them.
Single and double digging are great ways for them to get fit and dirty! Use tools suitable for their heights. My boys are using Spear & Jackson traditional children’s digging forks and spades.
Start teaching them why certain plants prefer certain soils and situations and how plants can cope in these conditions.
Find more tips, advice and articles like this at the Amateur Gardening website. Subscribe to Amateur Gardening magazine now.
