Easy to grow gardens for children

A lot of children enjoy the responsibility of managing their own garden. At first attempt it is preferable to restrict the overall size and complexity. Early success and positive reinforcement can be easily achieved by keeping things manageable. The necessary equipment need be no more sophisticated than a hand trowel, a sturdy pair of boots, some reinforced gardening gloves, sunhat, fertile seeds, scissors, string, and a decent watering can.

Salad gardens are a great choice for children who appreciate routine and enjoy contributing in their own way to family meals. Salad greens are particularly easy to grow organically and are equally suitable for outdoor plots, container gardens, and window boxes. They are visually decorative and a combination of varieties will provide a nice range of leaves with distinct colours, shapes, and textures. Salad greens can be purchased in punnets or as ready mixed seed packets. Alternatively described as lettuce, saladini, mescalin, or endive combinations, many of these also contain small amounts of rocket, chicory, kale, chard, and lambs lettuce.

The ready mixed salad combinations are sown in spring or early autumn and the seedlings usually emerge within a week or two then develop quickly enough to please eager youngsters. The maturing plants prefer partial shade and require soils with good moisture retention. If necessary, this can be improved after the seedlings have emerged, by spreading small quantities of finely shredded coconut fibre as surface mulch. Daily watering is required, with a preference for early morning or later, towards evening.

Often, it is an excellent idea to grow these plants near a doorway or gate used regularly by children. A visual reminder of their salad garden will reinforce their commitment to properly maintain it. Weeding should be undertaken on a weekly basis. Nimble fingered children can remove these before they establish a proper root structure, similarly slugs and snails can be controlled by periodic physical removal. Mature plants can be harvested any time by removing small quantities of leaves with a pair of scissors. This approach enables the plants to regenerate and will provide a healthy supply of organic greens throughout the growing season.

An organic herb garden is an option for children who are unlikely to establish a regular maintenance routine. Herbs are often favoured by creative types, particularly older children involved in cookery and other practical hobbies. Another interesting perspective is to consider herb gardening for children with an awareness of history. Many of the commonest garden herbs have traditional uses which can be traced back across Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arabic, and European civilisations.

Select an area with lean, well drained soil and concentrate on growing a few hardy and prolific types. These will assist the garden through adverse weather conditions or periods of temporary neglect. Lemon balm, mint, nasturtium, and oregano are extremely versatile and flourish with minimal effort. Because the seedlings can take a long while to establish themselves, these herbs are usually introduced to a children’s garden as healthy cuttings in spring or autumn.

While the emphasis should be on easy care maintenance, there is no need to abandon neatness or decoration. The children’s herb garden can be protected and defined by small hedges of dry soil species like lavender, thyme, or rosemary. Chives are also suitable as border plantings. Within these enclosures, install a few stepping stones and develop a simple planting scheme with markings of coloured sand.

A mixed organic garden is suitable for those children prepared to research the individual requirements of each species. By encapsulating diversity, the mixed garden provides a good base for understanding organic principles as they relate to practical applications. With minimal planning, the mixed garden can contain several varieties of flower, fruit, herbs, and vegetables. Why not include the salad greens described above? Within reason, encourage children to pursue their own intuitive combinations of texture, colour, and taste, as they choose individual plant varieties.

Sunflowers are a big, easy growing favourite for many children and adults alike. Aside from their energetic brightness, they attract beneficial pollinators and provide late seed to attract over wintering birds into the garden. Organic wildflower mixes guarantee an attractive, low maintenance display of colour. They can be left to seed each autumn, and will be returned as new stock the following spring. Daffodils and buttercups are strongly associated with straightforward gardening and their simple beauty appeals to many children.

Because they require planning, patience, and considerable technical knowledge, raising fruit trees is too complex for many children. Allowing them to adopt an established fruit tree can be a good compromise for enthusiastic kids. This way they can take some responsibility and practice pruning and shaping under appropriate supervision.

Modern cane fruit can be challenging although the traditional raspberry and blackberry bushes are low maintenance and particularly suited to organic conditions. Organic strawberries are a fantastic source of essential vitamins and minerals. They require well drained soils containing plenty of organic materials like compost, dry manure and leaf mould. Mulching is good for encouraging water retention and preventing weeds. Whether grown in the ground or in containers, they should be covered with wire mesh to discourage hungry birds and mice. They are very susceptible to viral infections and should only be purchased from organically certified nurseries or plant wholesalers.

The spectrum between easy care and high maintenance is fully encompassed with the wide selection of vegetable varieties available today. Do the kids a favour by encouraging them to choose among the easier ones. Climbing peas and beans grow quickly with very few problems. Young children still love hearing the tale of Jack and the beanstalk. Courgettes are easy to grow and children love them raw in salads. Their vines require a trellis or fence for support. The old fashioned carrot varieties have been a longstanding favourite with children, and should remain popular on account of their refreshingly sweet flavour. Make it fun and interesting and you’ll be amazed at how quickly children will  take to gardening