If you were to step into my home, you would be greeted by an array of small potted plants lining the windowsills, accompanied by little tea saucers filled with assorted seeds. After years of experience, I’ve learned to thoroughly search my partner’s pockets before doing laundry; there’s always a chance I’ll discover a few seeds from the intriguing plants he stumbled across in the forest. He was born with a green thumb.
I, on the other hand, was not so fortunate. For a long time, I had a notorious reputation for being the plant executioner—no houseplant could survive longer than a month under my care. I even once managed to kill a cactus!
The beauty of gardening is that it can be tailored to your budget and skill level. You don’t need an expansive farm or even any land at all. Nor do you have to be an elder with extensive knowledge of gardening hacks and folklore about herbs and pest control through marigolds and mint.
If you’re eager to dive into gardening with your children (or just for yourself), consider repurposing some old yogurt containers. Simply poke holes in the bottom for drainage, fill them with potting soil from any local hardware store, and let the kids scatter in some seeds. Water them, place the containers in a sunny spot, and watch them grow. Starting with quick-growing plants like zinnias or radishes can be particularly rewarding.
For those living in apartments without backyards, a container garden can easily be established using small pots. Some enthusiasts elevate this concept by using a wooden pallet (think Pinterest project) and filling the spaces between the slats with yogurt containers filled with soil and seeds. As the plants flourish, they can create a beautiful green wall effect, perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Herbs like mint, basil, parsley, and sage thrive in such settings, while nasturtiums can add a vibrant, edible touch to your garden.
If you have a backyard and feel adventurous, check out books like “Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together With Children” by Lila Thompson. This colorful guide is packed with engaging science facts and imaginative projects, including the idea of a pizza garden where kids can grow their own toppings. There’s even a simple fort-building project that serves as a secret hideout for children.
Gardening presents a fantastic opportunity for parents to explore the wonders of science with their kids. From understanding how seeds develop into plants to creating butterfly terrariums, these hands-on experiences can lead to meaningful discussions about nature. Just be aware that gardening might open the door to more complex subjects like physics and math. My children, inspired by their father’s passion for nature and my newfound gardening skills, have shown interest in various scientific concepts, such as building compost bins and birdhouses. At one point, my eldest even helped rescue a swarm of bees with professional guidance.
You never know where the journey of mixing seeds and soil will take you. Kids will undoubtedly ask countless questions, and if you follow their curiosity, you’ll embark on amazing projects that foster a lifelong passion for nature. This is one of the many reasons I admire my partner, and I am thrilled to see our children embracing this path.
Gardening in Small Spaces
This article was originally published on March 31, 2017.
For further insights, be sure to explore our other posts, including one on important terms and conditions related to gardening.
Summary
Gardening is accessible to everyone, regardless of gardening expertise or available space. Through simple projects involving seeds and pots, parents can engage their children in the wonders of nature and science. From creating container gardens in small apartments to ambitious backyard projects, gardening fosters curiosity and a love for the environment.