Gardening for Kids Is a Great Activity

Planting and then caring for seeds before watching them emerge from the earth is a wonderful activity. In order for the seeds to emerge from the earth, a conscientious gardener should study the soil and determine how the soil should be treated for optimum growth of the plant. A plant will grow well if it is watered with the proper amounts and at the appropriate times. A gardener that takes the time to find out the proper nutrition for different plants will produce vibrant plants. This same gardener might have beautiful plants all year round after doing some research about the plants that thrive in local conditions.

Think of all the benefits that these activities could have for kids. Gardening for kids is a great educational opportunity. The kids that take on the responsibilities of a garden will learn so much. Gardening for kids will present wonderful research opportunities for the children involved. First of all, they will have to read to do this research, and the reading activities will be full of purpose. Gardening for kids will demonstrate to the children involved that reading has purpose. Gardening for kids will lead them to see that valuable research is available to reach the goals they set.

Gardening for Kids Will Produce more than Plants

Although gardening for kids should produce some beautiful plants, there are many other benefits that will come from gardening for kids. This is a great activity for all of the family. As the kids and parents work on the garden, they will reinforce the bonds that have held a family together. They will need to work together to organize the garden, find the information necessary for a successful garden, and to do the manual labor necessary for a great garden.

The fruits of the labor put into a garden are obvious as the plants emerge in a successful garden. As the carrots or roses grow, every gardener can see the results of all of their hard work. Kids may not always see that reading is important, but if they read the directions correctly and roses grow on a bush, they will see that reading can help one accomplish a goal. Gardening for kids will let them see the results of their efforts and their skills. Success brings self-esteem so gardening for kids can make children feel successful. All of the efforts should be carefully guided by an adult, but gardening for kids can be an activity that all the family should enjoy.

The First Step In Gardening For Kids

Initially it may be a good idea to check out the space where a garden will work in your yard. Have the kids help evaluate the space and determine the size of their own personal garden. Make the kids a part of the decision making process when determining where a garden would be best situated.

When gardening for kids, teach them how to research plants for the garden. Gardening for kids is a great time to instill learning lessons. Go on-line and show them how to find out about plants. Take them to the library and let them check out books on gardening. Gardening for kids can turn into a great research project that involves many different aspects of investigation including discovering the right types of plants for the garden. Many children want to plant vegetables; this could be the key in getting them to expand their food choices. All the initial steps in gardening for kids can be a good basis for learning later on in life.

When gardening for kids, it can also be fun to find products that are kid size and ready for the garden. Many stores carry child size tools for gardening, and these may be more appropriate than having them use adult tools. Bring the kids along to select their own little shovels, trowels and especially the watering can. Most kids will want to be active in watering the garden, and what better way to control how much water is used than by giving them a watering can.

Make sure that when you are gardening for kids, that you help them with preparing the soil and even planting the seeds. Read the directions and teach them how to space the seeds and plants. Make sure that they understand the importance of good soil for the plants and how much water is necessary. Allow them to weed the garden and show them what weeds look like. Teach them the proper way to handle the gardening tools, and to always pick up their tools.