by Karen Stauderman, commercial horticulture extension agent
There are many distractions for children’s attention. At times, it is difficult to compete against the latest electronic gadget. So how do you interest a child to the garden? One way a child responds to a new activity is if the parent shares the same interest. By taking an interest in plants, he will perceive your pleasure while you help him plan a garden and care for it and will look forward to tending plants of his own. More importantly, you will be having fun together. Here are twelve ways to peak their interest.- Set aside a small area of your yard and designate it the ‘children’s garden.’ You may be doing most of the care, but a child feels pride in selecting which flowers and vegetables to grow.
- Plant a theme garden. This could include container gardens, a butterfly garden, a barnyard garden (plants that are named after animals), an international garden (plants are named after countries) or an alphabet garden in which plants are named after the first letters of the alphabet (A=aster).
- Grow a pizza wheel. Using a circular form, divide the area into ‘’slices.’ Plant individual herbs could include: oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme
- Grow a ‘Living Fort’. Using bamboo poles, sow a few climbing plants including like beans, or nasturtiums at the base of each pole. Use sturdy string to secure them to the poles creating a teepee or shelter area. They will grow to cover the structure.
- Create a terrarium. Using fast food toys, cars or dolls, and create a scenic display using dwarf or miniature plants. Add LED lights for a nighttime effect.
- Grow a windowsill garden. Sometimes a small box is great for apartment dwellers. Use care by placing the tall plants in the back and shorter ones in the front. Children can also tinker with ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ colored plants. They can learn the importance of ‘dead heading’ spent blooms and watering on a regular basis.
- Plant a special tree. This is a good way to celebrate the first day of school, a memory of a deceased pet, or a special birthday.
- Enjoy a worm colony – These wiggling wonders serve to aerate soil and convert kitchen scraps to valuable compost. To watch worms in action line a large shallow cardboard box with a garbage bag. Fill the bag with soil, organic matter, and a handful of worms. Keep the mixture moist but not wet and watch them go to work. ‘Explain that worms have no eyes, lungs or noses and breathe through their moist skin: Each with 5 pairs of hearts and is both male and female.
- Purchase child sized garden tools like a small watering can, shoes, shovels or gloves.
- Purchase garden gifts for birthdays and holidays. Gifts like raised bed kits, Ceramic grass statuaries, a brightly colored potting bench, a birdhouse or a ‘garden’ themed playhouse keeps them interested throughout the season.
- Walk through the garden section of local nurseries and large box stores. Introduce them to plants that are in season and familiarize them with their names.
- Finally, select stories that are garden themed to read at bedtime. Classics include: Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1991) and F. H. Burnett’s The Secret Garden (HarperClassics;1998), Charlie the Caterpillar (School & Library Binding; 1999) by Dom DuLuise. Visit your local libraries for additional storybook suggestions.