What are the easiest plants for kids to grow? There are a few things that grow fast or are foolproof for the children’s garden (and yours).
Getting kids excited about gardening is great. There are so many things kids can learn in the garden. We don’t want kids to get discouraged or give up, so finding the easiest beginner plants is the best bet.
What could be more fun than a sensory garden for kids? Kids NEED sensory stimulation for development.
All five senses should be stimulated to help children develop important pathways for learning in their brains. The more stimulation, the earlier, the better.
Gardening with kids is a wonderful way for kids to learn, but how in the world do I figure out gardening with kids? They’re not going to be able to plant or pick on their own. They’re going to make a mess of it. Do you think those things? It can be a challenge to make a garden with kids, especially if they are very young. I work in my garden with kids ages one to five. Even a one-year-old can learn a ton in the garden and help grow food. I can show you how.
It’s the time of year when seed catalogs start pouring in. I read a book one time where they called them farmer porn. They are pretty juicy and appealing. You could spend a thousand dollars and get more seeds than you could ever plant easily. Be careful and put some planning into what you are going to get to make sure you have room to plant it and aren’t wasting your money. Choosing what to plant in your garden can be overwhelming.
Do you ever get so excited about ordering seeds that you double order? I do. It’s so frustrating! If you organize your garden seeds, you’ll avoid a lot of that. I pour over catalog after catalog. I make lists. I map out my garden. (Click here to see how to plan your garden) Later, I get all misty-eyed at some garden ad or a new catalog I’ve never seen before, and I accidentally order something I’ve already ordered.
There are so many plants you can plant in winter in Oklahoma. February is a busy month for spring plantings. Check out the OSU extension chart for what goes in the ground from Feb 10-March 10. There are quite a few things on that list. If you are not in Oklahoma, check your local county extension office to find out what you should be planting at that time.
Don’t you just LOVE zinnias? I do. They are a burst of long-lasting color all through the summer and fall. They are one of the ONLY plants that don’t succumb to our horrid heat here in Oklahoma AND they are tolerant of our drought-like conditions that are all too common here. Zinnias are a powerhouse in the garden.
Have you heard of Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes? They are easy to grow and even have pretty flowers that smell like chocolate.
Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes are a tasty, starchy tuber similar in flavor and texture to potatoes. They taste sweeter than potatoes though. The great thing about them is you can harvest them in winter when there is not much else to harvest.
Gardening with kids is one of the most amazing and rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. I have been a family childcare provider for 20 years. Gardening has opened up a world of teaching for my kids that is mind-boggling. There is so much kids can learn in a children’s garden!
What do you do with all of that leftover material you have in your yard in the fall? There are so many ways to use it. Why not turn it into mulch? PLEASE don’t throw yard waste in the trash to go to the landfill. It’s full of vital nutrients that can improve your yard and garden.