Gardeners know and research is proving gardening -- even viewing a garden -- as well as spending time in nature is good for the mind, body and spirit. It improves strength and flexibility, lowers blood pressure and elevates our moods.
This is also true for the youngsters in our lives. Recent studies found that school-aged children who participate in outdoor activities have better vision than those who spend most of their time indoors. Children who engage in nature and gardening are more focused, score better on exams and are less likely to develop or exhibit symptoms of ADHD. And youngsters who play outside and get a bit dirty also have stronger immune systems.
Help get the children in your life involved in gardening. There are a variety of ways to get kiddos involved no matter how much space or time you have.
Give each child their own garden space or a container garden to design, plant, and tend. Containers are a great option when planting space and time are limited. And just about anything can be grown in a pot. An old 5-gallon bucket or washtub with holes drilled into the bottom, recycled nursery pots or a colorful raised planter make great gardens.
Consider giving them with some youth-sized tools and equipment. The tools' smaller scale will be easier for them to handle and having their own tools that match yours makes gardening even more special.
Keep in mind the goal is for children to have fun and develop an interest in gardening. You may need to bite your tongue when their combinations are rather unique, or plants are spaced improperly. Provide some guidance but be prepared to let them experiment and learn from their failures as well as successes.
Children like to water even at an early age. The biggest challenge is getting the water to the plant, but that will come with time, practice and a few water-soaked outfits. Your efforts will be rewarded when your child takes over watering your container gardens.
You may notice they often find bugs and worms more interesting than plants. Use this as a gateway into gardening. Get them involved in worm composting or hunting for earthworms in the compost pile. They will have fun on the worm hunt while helping you turn your compost pile.
Use the "Pluck, Drop and Stomp" method to manage garden pests. Point out the bad guys and the damage they do. Be sure they know to watch for the good guys and leave them be to help the garden grow. Then have the children pluck the bad bugs off the plant, drop them to the ground, and stomp on them. This eco-friendly pest management strategy also burns some of that excess energy.
Include lots of color in the garden and containers. Michigan State University surveyed youth before creating their children's garden. They found they were much more excited and likely to participate when a garden is filled with color.
And as the flowers are maturing and your family is overrun with vegetables, consider sharing the harvest and a few bouquets of flowers. Giving helps children grow into caring, well-rounded adults. And food pantries in your community are always in need of fresh produce. Most of the food-insecure people in our communities are kids and seniors who greatly benefit from fresh nutritious vegetables.
Be sure to end the growing season with a harvest party. Use your homegrown produce to prepare a picnic or fancy dinner for family and friends. Then use some of those beautiful flowers you grew to decorate the table.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Corona Tools for her expertise in writing this article. Myers' website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
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Child and mother gardening in vegetable garden in the backyard