10 Ways for Your Child to Grow a Green Thumb this Summer

Introduction to Summer Gardening

Summer is the perfect season to introduce children to the joys of gardening. Not only is it the prime growing season in the UK, but the warm, sunny days and longer daylight hours provide an ideal environment for young ones to explore the world around them, learn about plants, and develop a love for gardening to be enjoyed year round. Engaging in gardening activities is not only fun but also educational, offering numerous opportunities for kids to gain hands-on experience and build valuable life skills.

Benefits of Summer Gardening for Children

Gardening is an incredibly beneficial activity for children. It teaches them about the lifecycle of plants, the importance of taking care of the environment, and where our food comes from. Beyond these educational aspects, gardening helps children develop patience, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Spending time in the garden also provides a wonderful opportunity for family bonding, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Preparing Your Garden for Summer

Soil Preparation

First, decide if you’re planting your seeds in the ground or in containers and pots – either is fine for most crops and dependent on the space available to you. Bear in mind that for some of these, you can get started indoors too! Before you get busy planting, it’s essential to prepare the soil. Start by enriching the soil with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to enhance its fertility and structure. This will provide the necessary nutrients for seedlings to thrive. Additionally, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, as most summer vegetables and flowers require plenty of sunlight and good drainage.

If you don’t have your own backyard, or if your yard isn’t big enough, you can always take your obstacles down to your local park!

Faced with a rainy day? You can always set up some obstacles inside if you’re looking for indoor activities.

Choosing the Right Summer Crops

What can you grow in summer? Well, selecting the right crops for your summer garden is crucial for a successful and enjoyable experience. Here are some suggestions for easy-to-grow vegetables, vibrant flowers, and tasty fruits that are perfect for children to cultivate:

Easy-to-Grow Veg

1. Bush Beans (French Beans): These beans are simple to grow and produce a quick harvest, making them ideal for impatient young gardeners.
2. Cherry Tomatoes: These tomatoes are low-maintenance and yield a good harvest, perfect for snacking.
3. Radishes: Radishes grow rapidly, often ready to harvest in just a few weeks given the right growing conditions, providing quick gratification to the busy work of those little hands.

Keen to grow more food? Why not grow some lettuce, swiss chard or other veg like carrots?

Your Own Flowers

1. Sunflowers: Known for their impressive height and bright blooms, sunflowers are easy to grow and delightful to watch. And hopefully you won’t have to wait until late summer to see them flowering.
2. Calendulas: These flowers are not only beautiful but also attract beneficial insects to the garden. They’re ground covering, easy to sow from seed and mature faster than many other plants – though you won’t see them flowering until autumn or even spring.
3. Marigolds: Hardy and low-maintenance once sown directly, marigolds add a splash of color to decorate your garden and help deter pests.

Fruits and Berries

1. Strawberries: Once sown, these are easy to grow, quick to produce fruit, and delicious to eat! Strawberries are a firm favourite among children.
2. Watermelon: While watermelons require more space, they are fun to grow and provide a refreshing treat – leaving your kids with a smiley face!

Creating a Fun and Interactive Garden

Visiting a Garden Centre

A trip to the garden centre can be a great way to spark children’s interest in gardening. Allow them to choose their own plants, whether it’s flowers, vegetables, or fruits. Picking out fun gardening accessories, like colorful plant labels and unique garden decorations, can also personalise their gardening space and keep their excitement levels high.

Keeping Children Excited

To maintain their enthusiasm, involve children in every step of the gardening process. From planting seeds to watering and weeding, let them take charge of their garden beds. Celebrate small achievements, like the first sprout or the first bloom, to keep them motivated and proud of their efforts.

Tips and Tricks for Summer Gardening

Managing Common Challenges

Gardening in the summer can present some challenges, especially for beginners. Here are some tips to help manage these effectively:

1. Keeping the Soil Moist: Once you’ve planted, regular watering is essential, especially during hot spells. Teach children the importance of watering their plants early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water evaporation. Your plants likely won’t need watering on a rainy day.
2. Providing Shade: Some plants prefer partial shade or cooler temperatures so may need protection from full sun. Use shade cloths or plant taller crops to provide natural shade for more sensitive plants.
3. Using Raised Beds: Raised garden beds improve soil drainage and quality, making them a great choice for growing a variety of plants.
4. Engaging Older Children: As children grow, involve them in more advanced tasks like pruning, fertilising, and pest control to deepen their gardening knowledge and skills.

Encouraging Creativity

Gardening is not just about growing plants; it’s also a platform for creativity. Here are some ways to inspire your child’s creativity in the garden:

1. Garden Art: Let children get creative with garden art, such as painted rocks, homemade plant markers, or whimsical garden gnomes. These projects add a personal touch and make the garden more inviting.
2. Themed Gardens: Design themed garden areas, like a fairy garden, a dinosaur garden, or a sensory garden filled with plants that have interesting textures and scents.
3. Gardening Journals: Encourage children to keep a gardening journal where they can draw pictures, note observations, and track the progress of their plants, weather, the sun and much more. This enhances their learning and provides a record of their gardening journey.

Incorporating Learning Activities

Gardening offers countless opportunities for play and education. Here are some ways to incorporate learning into your gardening activities:

1. Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments, such as comparing the growth of plants in different soil types or observing the effects of varying amounts of sunlight.
2. Maths in the Garden: Use gardening tasks to teach maths skills, like measuring plant growth, counting seeds, or calculating the amount of water needed.
3. Reading and Research: Provide gardening books and resources to help children learn more about different plants, gardening techniques, and the importance of biodiversity.

Exploring Garden Wildlife

A garden is a mini-ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Teach your children about the various insects, birds, and animals that visit your garden:

1. Insect Hotels: Build insect hotels to attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, bees, and butterflies. This is a fun way to learn about pollinators and natural pest control.
2. Bird Feeders and Baths: Set up bird feeders and bird baths to attract different bird species. Encourage children to observe and document the birds that visit your garden.
3. Composting: Start a compost bin to teach children about recycling organic waste and creating nutrient-rich soil. Explain the role of worms and microorganisms in breaking down compost to use as mulch.

Harvesting and Cooking

One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is harvesting the fruits of your labor. Involve your children in the harvesting process and use the produce to prepare simple, healthy meals together:

1. Harvesting: Teach children how to identify ripe fruits and vegetables and how to harvest them properly. This helps them understand the connection between the garden and the kitchen.
2. Cooking Together: Use the harvested produce to prepare meals together. Simple recipes like salads, smoothies, and vegetable stir-fries are perfect for involving children in the cooking process.
3. Sharing the Harvest: Encourage children to share their harvest with friends, family, or neighbours. This fosters a sense of community and generosity.

Maintaining the Garden

Consistent maintenance is essential for a thriving garden. Teach your children the importance of regular care:

1. Watering: Show them how to water plants properly, emphasising the importance of not overwatering or underwatering.
2. Weeding: Teach them how to identify and remove weeds, explaining why it’s important to keep the garden free of unwanted plants.
3. Pest Control: Introduce them to natural pest control methods, such as using companion planting, introducing beneficial insects, or making homemade insect repellents.

From sowing to harvest…

Gardening with your children this summer can be a deeply rewarding and educational experience. By following these tips and encouraging your child’s involvement, you can help them develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and sustainable living. Whether you’re growing veg, fruits, or flowers, the time spent together in the garden will create lasting memories and instil valuable life skills in your young gardeners. So grab your gardening tools, get outside, and start growing those green thumbs today!