It doesn’t take much to spark a child’s imagination, and for me, it all started with my granddad. As a young boy, he introduced me to the magic of growing vegetables. I remember helping him create little holes for the leeks, carefully placing them in, and then, after what felt like an eternity, finally digging them up. The excitement of harvesting our own food was something special. And, let’s be honest – I was always the one gobbling up the last of the freshly grown veg at dinner!
One of my favourite memories was rushing to the far end of the garden to pick climbing beans for the evening meal. Or happily tossing kitchen scraps onto the compost heap, knowing that I was playing a part in something much bigger. Those small, everyday tasks fueled my curiosity and planted the seed for my lifelong love of gardening.
Fast forward to today, and it’s my turn to share that passion with my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Isla. She’s already helping with watering the plants (and sometimes my shoes too!) and is starting to get the hang of weeding – though I’ll admit there’s a little gasp when she gets a bit too eager with thinning the seedlings! When Isla was born, we planted a crab apple tree in her honour, and now she’s watching the blossoms with wonder, fascinated by the bees that visit.
How to Get Your Kids Interested in Gardening
There’s no secret trick to getting children into gardening – just get them involved! If you make it fun and interactive, their interest will naturally grow, just like the plants they’re helping you care for.
Kids love being part of the action, from watering the plants to picking the veggies and even cutting them (with a bit of help from you). Toddlers can easily join in with their own mini tools – digging, stirring, and having fun alongside you.
As they get older, give them their very own space to grow things. I remember when my parents let me have my own little garden patch. It wasn’t big, but it was mine to look after, and I was over the moon! I grew spinach and radishes, and despite my constant fiddling, they thrived. By the time I was ten, I was in charge of an entire vegetable garden!
Naturally, you’ll want to guide them in the beginning. Start with easy-to-grow plants like radishes, spinach, salad leaves, spring onions, beans (especially climbing beans), beetroot, courgettes, and potatoes. Many seed companies offer kid-friendly options, so these are a great place to start.
Fun Gardening Projects for Kids
In addition to their own little garden plots, why not try some creative gardening projects? One that’s always a hit is growing potatoes in containers – children love the excitement of digging around in the soil to find the hidden tubers. Strawberries are another winner. You can plant them almost anywhere, but for a bit of fun, why not get creative and use old, discarded items as containers? Imagine strawberries growing from a pair of old boots, spilling out of a chest of drawers, or even nestled in repurposed car tyres turned into quirky raised beds.
Gardening isn’t just about growing food – it’s about giving kids a sense of ownership, responsibility, and a deep connection with nature. It’s a perfect way to spend quality time together, explore the outdoors, and watch little hands create something beautiful.
