Gardening with kids

1 May 2013

Easy does it

We know the score ... your children want results and they want them now. That's why when gardening with children it's good to plant seeds that are

a) reliable

b) quick to germinate and grow.

Lots of food crops fit the bill. All kinds of lettuce are suitable, for example, and rocket. It's best to plant rocket either side of the summer, in spring or July, to avoid attack from the flea beetle.

Also try turnip, radish, broad beans and, from early summer, courgette, pumpkin and French and runner beans.

You'll find seeds at Garden Organic

Ready mades

Don't be too proud to buy mini plants known as plugs. Your plants get a head start and are more likely to survive attacks from pests like slugs.

Top tip: don't plant out your plugs too early. You'll find them in the garden centre from February onwards, but best wait until frosts have passed before you put them outside.

Bigger the better

Young children will find big seeds easier to handle, and less frustrating to plant. We recommend sweet peas, beans, courgettes, pumpkins and sunflowers.

Bulbs, tubers and corms also fit the bill. Plant daffodils and crocuses in the autumn for flowering the following spring. Tulips, another spring bulb, can be planted up to December.

Easy summer flowers that should be planted in the spring include dahlias, gladioli, alliums and lilies .

Small is beautiful

We know we just suggested you think big. Well when it comes to tools for the garden, it's probably better to think small.

Imagine trying to work with a fork or spade that comes up to your shoulders? Or a watering can the size of a barrel?

Essential kit 1

Speaking of watering cans, these are essential for gardening with kids.

Children love to water things in the garden. Try to get a watering can with a rose (the sieve-like thing that goes on the end of a spout). This means it will provide the sprinkle, as opposed to flood, which seeds and seedlings need.

Essential kit 2

We recommend a child-size pair of gloves too. They're a fashion statement for some children, and the squeamish will be happier delving into the soil with some protection.

Quality counts

Don't be tempted by poor-quality tools in sweetshop-style colours: it will only be frustrating when something breaks.

You can find decent trowels and hand forks in our shop or at good garden centres.

And Harrod Horticultural has a range of quality tools in children's sizes.

My own private patch

Children often prefer a patch of ground they can call their own. If you don't have much room, a large plant pot or container is a great start - and a chance for them to let their imagination rip, unimpeded by mum or dad.

Now wash your hands.

Love growing things? Then why not help bees, our vital pollinators, and buy our bee saver kit