Whether they’re making mud pies, rummaging for creepy-crawlies, or just pottering about, it’s hard to deny that kids love being outdoors. And in a world so intent on becoming digital, it’s important to nurture these nature-loving instincts. But the big question parents often as is: What are the best plants for kids to grow?
First, Why Grow Plants with Your Kids?
In case you need convincing, here are a few benefits of growing plants with your kids.
- It’s Scientific
You can teach them about photosynthesis, plant lifecycles, and much more stuff that will put them in good stead at school. - It’s Empowering
Planting a seed and watching it grow into a mature plant shows kids that their actions can have real impressive consequences. - It’s Enlightening
Seeing a plant grow develops an understanding of where our food comes from, and the processes involved to get from crop to plate. - It’s Fun!
Time spent gardening together is good quality family time, and you can never have too much of that.
So without further ado, here are UpGardener’s best plants to grow with your kids.
1. Carrot Tops!
If you trim the end off of a carrot off and place it on some damp paper towel, it’ll sprout into a medley of green. Now, you might not be convinced by the appeal of a carrot top, but hear us out.
Carrots are cheap, making this a great way to gauge how interested your kids are in gardening before investing in seeds and gear. See whether their curiosity is piqued, whether they ask questions, and try to plant the seed of larger-scale planting projects.
2. Sunflowers!
These marvelous flowers are a treat to behold and can grow to awe-inspiring heights, making them especially fascinating for young gardeners.
Growing sunflowers is more involved than watching a carrot sprout. It’s a great way to teach your kids garden fundamentals, and their rapid growth invites ongoing interest.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Dig a trench about 1.5 inches deep
- Pop seeds in with about 6 inches in between
- Cover it over and water gently
- Wait about a week until you see the first sprouts
- Watch in awe as your tiny sprouts become proud giants
3. Daffodils!
Daffodils are another boldly brilliant flower that kids will love. Their fierce yellow blooms add a splash of color to any garden in the spring.
Unlike sunflowers that sprout fairly soon after planting, daffodils spend a little while lying low. Plant them out with your kids in fall, then wait until spring to enjoy the colorful bonanza.
Choosing gardening projects with varying timescales is a great way to teach your kids about the wide variety of plants in the world. It also teaches patience, and the pleasure that can be gained from waiting for a project to come to fruition.
4. Tomatoes!
There’s nothing quite like picking a plump, juicy tomato from a vine you’ve nurtured yourself from seed. We guarantee this plant will cement your children’s interest in gardening.
Growing tomatoes is easy, too. First, you need to germinate the seeds:
- Fill a pot with soil
- Place the seeds on the top layer, then cover
- Pop the pot on a windowsill with a polythene bag on top, making sure there are 6-7 inches of space for the tomatoes to grow
Once the plant grows and sprouts two leaves, gently relocate the fledgling plant to a grow bag outdoors. Do this after any risk of frost has passed.
Tomatoes like frequent watering and they’ll be plumper and juicier if you feed them with special tomato food.
3. Daffodils!
Daffodils are another boldly brilliant flower that kids will love. Their fierce yellow blooms add a splash of colour to any garden in the spring.
Unlike sunflowers that sprout fairly soon after planting, daffodils spend a little while lying low. Plant them out with your kids in fall, then wait until spring to enjoy the colourful bonanza.
Choosing gardening projects with varying timescales is a great way to teach your kids about the wide variety of plants in the world. It also teaches patience, and the pleasure that can be gained from waiting for a project to come to fruition.
4. Tomatoes!
There’s nothing quite like picking a plump, juicy tomato from a vine you’ve nurtured yourself from seed. We guarantee this plant will cement your children’s interest in gardening.
Growing tomatoes is easy, too. First, you need to germinate the seeds –
- Fill a pot with soil
- Place the seeds on the top layer, then cover
- Pop the pot on a windowsill with a polythene bag on top, making sure there are 6-7 inches of space for the tomatoes to grow
Once the plant grows and sprouts two leaves, gently relocate the fledgling plant to a grow bag outdoors (See below). Do this after any risk of frost has passed. Tomatoes like frequent watering and they’ll be plumper and juicier if you feed them with special tomato food.
Growing tomatoes with children is an excellent first-step in edible gardening. Once your tomato plant is established and the harvest is bountiful, you can move on to other tasty treats such as –
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Pumpkin (you’ll be popular at Halloween!)
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- Herbs
And so much more.
Kids with Green Fingers
Given a little encouragement, children take eagerly to planting and growing flowers and crops. It’s a great way to teach them about sustainability, reciprocity with the natural world, food processes, the science of plants, and tons more.
We assure you that if you take the time to nurture your child’s interest in gardening, you’ll be greatly rewarded.
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