Gardening experts from Organic Gardening magazine say there is a surge in interest in vegetable gardening due to factors such as: a new eagerness for tasty healthy local food, concern about the world environment and the present tight economy. Even U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama recently decided to lead a renovation of part of the White House lawn into a children’s veggie garden. Vancouver Mayor Robertson & his “green team” are also converting their City Hall lawn to a community veggie garden.
Luke, the Vancouver Reynolds family three-year-old grandson, loves to dig in the mud and splash water. Wiggly worms and colourful ladybugs captivate him. His “green thumb” appears to have been activated already as he follows grandpa around the backyard insisting that Luke be allowed to water the tomato plants with that oh so appealing garden hose.
Gardening Tips for Children: Plump Pumpkins, Tasty Tomatoes and Much More!
Here are a few tips to help children discover the wonderful world of gardening. Start small and give the child his own separate garden space. Make it a safe easily accessible space. Invite children to make a colourful garden sign e.g. Luke’s Garden. To provide encouragement, make sure they have their own set of safe garden tools i.e.: rake, pail, hoe, etc. Toddler Luke Reynolds particularly loves his favourite bright green turtle shaped wheelbarrow and his very own garden shoe clogs.
Garden expert, Judy Sedbrook, master gardener from Colorado University, in an online report Children in The Garden, advises parents to choose plants that mature quickly so that that children can get more instant gratification when they watch their seeds and plants grow. Vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, peas, sunflower, pumpkins, zucchini and potatoes are great options. Radishes and lettuce give early spring plants. Sunflowers and pumpkins grow quickly with large visible results. Choose three or four to begin with so as not to overwhelm the young budding gardener. Of course, there is the extra advantage of having children eat what they grow. Little Luke Reynolds goes wild for his Tiny Tim tomatoes. Come Halloween kids will be thrilled if they can harvest their very own, lovingly tended pumpkin.
Garden Locations
Other garden spots could be a safe patio, balcony garden pots, a windowsill or a community garden plot, if families have a limited backyard, What is a community garden? These shared gardens are usually located on parkland and organized through volunteer groups. Garden plot fees average $15 to $40 per year. Many offer open house events including plant sales, seed exchanges and potluck dinners. For more information on how to get involved with a “community garden,” contact the local Parks department. Be sure to make children's gardening pesticide free.
In Toronto Canda, the High Park Children’s Garden won the 2008 David Suzuki Digs My Garden contest, competing against 580 entries from across Canada. This garden is over 10 years old and has seen hundreds of children plant and harvest organic fruits, vegetables and flowers. A unique feature is that the colourful raised garden beds are in the shape of the letters A, B, C. The garden also has a sandbox, birdhouse trellis, picnic shelter, tool shed and rain barrels.
School Gardens
Schoolyard gardens are also springing up. Contact the local daycare, school principal or parent advisory group to organize a children's garden, if one is not yet available nearby. Fall or spring are great times to start the early planning.
An excellent model for schoolyard gardens called, the Edible Schoolyard, was created by international chef Alice Waters. This program “seeks to change the way children eat. Rather than tell them what not to eat, we want to bring them into a new relationship with food. When children grow and prepare fresh, healthy food themselves, every day, they choose nourishing meals and learn responsibilities and values.” Alice Waters wrote to President Obama and helped to get the new U.S. White House children’s garden started.
The Evergreen Society offers valuable guidelines for parents and teachers starting up a school garden.
Oh and little Luke says: "don’t forget the sunscreen & floppy garden hat!"
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