Have you been thinking about gardening with your preschooler but aren’t sure where to start? Here are the basics! Let us know what you think in the comments here or on Facebook - or share your gardening with kids ideas. Thanks!
Step 1: What to plant?
Step 1: What to plant?
Check out Sprout Robot http://sproutrobot.com/, go to your local nursery, or check out your county extension office to find out what you can plant now.
Right now it’s March and it’s the perfect time to get your veggie garden started!
Right now it’s March and it’s the perfect time to get your veggie garden started!
What to plant this week in the Puget Sound
| Plant Outdoors: Parsley Chard Leaf lettuce Kale Green onions Radishes Onions Collard greens Mustard greens Spinach Turnips Peas Carrots Dill | Plant Indoors: Tomatoes Leeks |
What to plant for the kids?
Most of these are fairly easy to grow (Except the tomatoes – those can be a trickier) so do your research. Having a plan makes gardening so much easier. Start by picking things that you and your kids like to eat then go to a nursery or check out a seed catalog and have fun with it!
Some of the veggies I especially like to have in my girls' garden are carrots, radishes and leaf lettuce, because you can see the sprouts coming up quickly and if they disturb the seeds it’s not that big of a deal.
Step 2: Where to get seeds?
Seeds are everywhere, my first garden I used seeds from the grocery store and still did pretty well, but look into who is local to you – there is a great seed company out of Puyallup called Ed Hume Seeds, I personally love Territorial Seeds out of Portland, OR – but there are tons to check into.
Step 3: Where to plant?
Start small: You don’t have to start farming your first time out the gate. Get a small container or use an existing bed in your yard. Pick up some potting soil, or check out Mel’s Mix – people swear by it!
Pay attention to the sun: What do the plants/seeds need? Where in your yard can you get it?
Step 4: Play in the garden!
Let your kids water their garden every day that it doesn't rain - twice a day if it's really hot. Help them watch out for sprouting seeds - the coolest thing ever - and try to wait until the plants are big enough to actually eat before they pick them. Have fun!!!
More Resources:
Most of these are fairly easy to grow (Except the tomatoes – those can be a trickier) so do your research. Having a plan makes gardening so much easier. Start by picking things that you and your kids like to eat then go to a nursery or check out a seed catalog and have fun with it!
Some of the veggies I especially like to have in my girls' garden are carrots, radishes and leaf lettuce, because you can see the sprouts coming up quickly and if they disturb the seeds it’s not that big of a deal.
Step 2: Where to get seeds?
Seeds are everywhere, my first garden I used seeds from the grocery store and still did pretty well, but look into who is local to you – there is a great seed company out of Puyallup called Ed Hume Seeds, I personally love Territorial Seeds out of Portland, OR – but there are tons to check into.
Step 3: Where to plant?
Start small: You don’t have to start farming your first time out the gate. Get a small container or use an existing bed in your yard. Pick up some potting soil, or check out Mel’s Mix – people swear by it!
Pay attention to the sun: What do the plants/seeds need? Where in your yard can you get it?
Step 4: Play in the garden!
Let your kids water their garden every day that it doesn't rain - twice a day if it's really hot. Help them watch out for sprouting seeds - the coolest thing ever - and try to wait until the plants are big enough to actually eat before they pick them. Have fun!!!
More Resources:
12 Top Tips for Gardening with Youth Children: Check out this blog post from Catherine an awesome mom blogger in the UK with some sweet insights into gardening with children on her blog Sun Hats & Wellie Boots. Check out her most recent post about making a wormery with a great book to go along with the activity!
Step by step starter garden. Take the guess work out of your first time with this post that includes a shopping list of everything you need to get started.
Check us out on Pinterest for more fun ideas for gardening and outdoor activities with kids.
Step by step starter garden. Take the guess work out of your first time with this post that includes a shopping list of everything you need to get started.
Check us out on Pinterest for more fun ideas for gardening and outdoor activities with kids.
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