Gardening is a world in which we all have a place. Regardless of our age, sex, or social condition, each of us can enjoy plants a lot and everything that goes into caring for them. Of course, children are no exception, quite the opposite.
They are one of the main beneficiaries, not only because they can stay entertained while they learn to sow, plant or even do small pruning, but also that this knowledge will help them to understand a little how nature works. That is why below we are going to explain how to teach gardening to children, the adults of tomorrow.
Choose the most suitable plants for children
Image - Wikimedia / Francisco25
Children, especially the youngest ones, tend to put their hands to their mouths. It is their way of exploring what surrounds them, and what, therefore, most must be taken into account when choosing plants correctly. So that, At the beginning, those that have thorns must be discarded, like cacti, or latex like euphorbia (also the poinsettia).
To go over safe, it is best to choose plants suitable for human consumption, since in this way you will teach them to grow their own food. And, most of these are herbs that, in a matter of a few weeks, will be ready for collection. For example, these are some:
- Lettuce: sown in late winter / early spring and harvested three months later.
- Tomato: it is sown in early spring and harvested about 4-5 months later.
- Spinach: it is sown in early spring and harvested about 4 months later.
- Strawberry: sown in late winter / early spring and harvested about 5 months later.
Prepare the material they will need
Once you have chosen the plants that you are going to sow, you have to prepare a series of things so that they can carry out this task safely and comfortably. Therefore, they will need:
Children's gardening gloves
In order for your hands to be well protected, it is important that they wear specific gloves for them. Obviously, they must be your size, since the fact of wearing ones that are large or small will not be comfortable for them.
Flower pot
The pot must have some holes in its base through which the water comes out. For the rest, it does not matter if it is made of plastic or clay, but we recommend that it be made of plastic just in case. Although other options are also interesting, such as a plasticized cardboard box, milk containers or yogurt glasses previously washed with water.
Earth
The earth it must be special for plants. The ideal is to get ready-to-use seedbed substrate, but the universal substrate of all life (like the one they sell here) as long as it is mixed with a little pearlite, pumice or the like.
Watering can with water
Last but not least, you must provide them with a small shower (especially for children, or if you can't get it, a half-liter plastic bottle with some tiny holes in one end will also do) with water so they can keep the soil moist.
Teach them to sow the seeds
The best way that children (and I would say that adults too) learn is by watching others how they do it. Taking this into account, It is very interesting that first you plant a seed in a pot while you explain to the little ones how you do it and why. In this way, they will understand the whole process in a simpler way.
Explain that the seeds have to be buried a bit, because if they get direct sunlight they could burn and therefore spoil. In addition, they must learn that the earth must always remain somewhat moist, since they need water to stay hydrated and thus be able to germinate.
In addition, if you are going to sow seeds of seasonal plants, the children have to understand that, some like lettuces will be collected before they bloom, and there are others like sunflowers that will be allowed to flower because this way they will be able to produce more seeds, which They are nothing more than the pipes that we later eat.
When it's their turn stay by their side to solve their doubts that they have.
Create a routine for them to take care of the plants
Children have to be the protagonists. For this it is essential that, beyond seeing you plant a seed the first time and consulting you with any doubts that arise, they are the ones who take care of the plants they have planted. Of course, You as an adult must explain to them when and why to water them, and in case problems arise, why they have arisen and what they have to do so that their plants grow healthy.
For this, you may find this article useful:
It is very nice to feel that the smallest of the family enjoy taking care of their own plants; Or in other words, that they assume a responsibility and that they also do it with pleasure.
Good article, hopefully people start to instill these extremely healthy habits in the little ones.
Hello J. Nicolás.
We are glad that you liked the article.
And yes, I hope that little by little children will get used to having habits that are not only healthy for them, but also respectful of the environment.
Regards!