How to teach gardening to children?

Gardening is a world in which we all have a place. Regardless of our age, sex, or social condition, each of us can enjoy, and a lot, the plants and all that it takes to care for them. Of course, children are no exception, rather the opposite.

They are the main beneficiaries, not only because they can stay entertained while they learn to sow, plant or even do small pruning, but also, this knowledge will help them to understand a little how nature works. That is why we are going to explain how to teach gardening to the children , the adults of tomorrow.

Choose the most suitable plants for children

Lettuces are good plants for children

Image – Wikimedia / Francisco25

Children, especially younger children, tend to put their hands to their mouths. It is their way of exploring what surrounds them, and what, therefore, must be taken into account when choosing the right plants. So, at the outset, those that have thorns , such as cacti, or latex such as euphorbias (also the poinsettia) must be discarded .

To be over-safe, it is best to choose plants suitable for human consumption , since this way you will teach them to grow their own food. And, most of these are herbs that, in a matter of a few weeks, will be ready for collection. For example, here are some:

  • Lettuce : sown in late winter / early spring and harvested three months later.
  • Tomato : It is sown in early spring and is collected about 4-5 months later.
  • Spinach : It is sown in early spring and collected about 4 months later.
  • Strawberry : It is sown in late winter / early spring and is collected about 5 months later.

Prepare the material they will need

Once you have chosen the plants to be sown, it is time to prepare a series of things so that they can carry out this task safely and comfortably. Therefore, they will need:

Kids Gardening Gloves

In order for your hands to be well protected, it is important that they wear specific gloves for them. Obviously, they must be of your size , since the fact of wearing ones that are large or small will not be comfortable at all.

Flower pot

Sow the seeds in small pots

The pot must have some holes in its base through which the water comes out . Otherwise, it does not matter if it is made of plastic or clay, but we recommend that it be made of plastic just in case. Although other options are also interesting, such as a laminated cardboard box, milk containers or yogurt glasses previously washed with water.

land

The earth must be special for plants . The ideal is to get ready-to-use seedbed substrate, but it also works as the universal substrate of a lifetime as long as it is mixed with a little perlite, cheek or the like.

Watering can

Last but not least, you should provide them with a small watering can (especially for children, or if you can’t get it, a half-liter plastic bottle with some tiny holes in one end will also serve with water) so they can keep the soil moist .

Teach them how to sow the seeds

The best way for children to learn (and I would say that adults do too) is by observing others how they do it. With this in mind, it is very interesting that you first sow a seed in a pot while you explain to the little ones how you do it and why . In this way, they will understand the whole process in a simpler way.

Explain to them that the seeds have to be buried a little, since if they are directly sunburned they could burn and therefore spoil. Likewise, they must learn that the earth must always remain somewhat humid , since they need water to stay hydrated and thus be able to germinate.

Also, if you are going to sow seeds of seasonal plants, children have to understand that, some like lettuces will be picked before they bloom, and there are others like sunflowers that will be allowed to bloom because this way they will be able to produce more seeds, which they are just the pipes that we then eat.

When it is their turn, stay by their side to answer any questions they may have.

Create a routine for caring for plants

Gardening is an interesting world for children

Children have to be the protagonists. For this it is essential that, beyond seeing you sow a seed the first time and consulting the doubts that arise, they are the ones who take care of the plants they have planted. Of course, you as an adult should explain to them when and why they need to be watered, and in case problems arise, why it has arisen and what they have to do to make their plants grow healthy.

It is very nice to feel that the smallest of the family enjoy taking care of their own plants; Or put another way, that they assume a responsibility and that they also do it with pleasure.

How to teach gardening to children?

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