Teaching Our Children: How to Garden

Kids enjoy participating in activities with their parents.  I love finding opportunities to teach my girls.  Gardening was one of the projects I decided would be fun to teach our children this year.  When I explained we were planting a garden and I would like their help with it they were ready to get started immediately.

Steps for Teaching Kids How to Garden:

1. Garden Research – start by reading several plant and garden books, both ones at home as well as books from the library.  Reading books on gardening help build the excitement for the project and prepare them for the whole process.   End this step by making a list of items you need to pick up at a local nursery or store.
2. Picking Out the Seeds – take the kids to the store and have them pick out a few plants and seeds on their own.  Answer their questions and guide them in picking out the best plants.  This is a great teaching opportunity on many levels from learning about plants, prices, and making decisions.  You may be in the store longer than normal but it can be a wonderful experience for the kids.  Once they have their plants picked out have them take the plants to the cash register and pay for them.
3. Planting the Seeds – read the directions with your kids and start planting the seedlings.  You can start the seedlings in peat pellets.  The pellets can be fascinating to watch grow and the kids enjoy putting the seeds into each one.
4. Tilling the Soil – have the kids use their shovels to dig up the garden soil.  After a few days of them digging for ten minutes or so go ahead and rotor till the area (the rotor tilling should be done by an adult). The digging teaches them that it takes a little bit of hard work and persistence to get the garden ready for the plants.  Once the ground is tilled and the plants are ready help them dig the holes and place the plants into the ground.
5. Maintaining the Plants (Water  & Weeds) –  once the plants are in the soil it is time to teach the kids how take care of the plants so they will continue to grow.  Hook up the hose up so the kids can turn on it on and water the plants.  You can use a timer to help ensure the garden gets plenty of water but not too.  One of the most entertaining pieces of gardening is teaching the kids how to pull the weeds; a weed can look a lot like a small vegetable plant to kids.
6. Reaping the Rewards – the best part of the whole process is when the kids get to pick the produce from the plants.  They get so excited seeing them bloom and the vegetables growing.  Once the produce is ready to be picked show them how to pick the vegetables without damaging the plant.  After the produce is picked help them wash and put it away.

We decided to do a vegetable garden but these steps can be used for flower gardens as well.  One of the character building lessons you can teach your children with this project is how to share with others.  Having a garden provides delicious vegetables for your family but can be a huge blessing to extended family, friends, and neighbors.  The girls love picking the fresh vegetables and sharing with people around us.  Teaching our children to be considerate and generous helps build positive character traits that will last.  At least once a week let your kids pick a bag of produce on their own, wash it and choose someone to give it to.

This year we had the girls help us in the family garden.  I think once they get older if they are still interested we will let them do one completely on their own.  It is a great activity that our whole family enjoys.  The rows may not be straight and a few plants may get stepped on but the overall experience is worth it.  Do your kids help in the garden?  What creative tips do you for gardening with the kids?