We all know that kids benefit greatly from spending time outdoors and away from screens, but winter can be a challenge when it comes to getting them out and interacting with nature. The combination of fewer hours of daylight and cold or damp weather can make staying on the couch a breeze—and this is as true for adults as it is for children.
This is where a gardening project can come to the rescue. It may be cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy growing things and making plans for the upcoming seasons.
Gardening is a powerful tool when it comes to mental health. Studies confirm that children’s levels of well-being and happiness increase after spending time in contact with nature. Gardening is also a great way for children to engage in a hands-on activity that stimulates the senses, so it’s perfect for encouraging creative play. And of course, the physical nature of digging and planting is ideal for steam removal and energy burning.
Take advantage of all these benefits with three simple winter garden projects for kids.
Young greens are seedlings of vegetables and herbs that are harvested and eaten while they are still young. They pack a punch when it comes to flavor and nutrients, and are a great way to spice up sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and other delicious dishes.
Growing small greens is a great garden project for kids because you can do it on a small scale and the seeds are easy to plant and grow. They can be harvested in as little as two weeks from planting, so they’re good for young gardeners too.
In winter, young greens should be sown indoors; A sunny window is an ideal place.
Kathryn Hughes
you will need
- A package of tiny green seeds (a mixed package of seeds will give you a great variety of flavours)
- Small plant pots or recycled takeaway containers (wash them before use)
- plant bowls
- Compost blocks or coconut fibres
- Spray bottle or watering can
1. Start by filling the bowl with compost or coconut. Aim for about three-quarters full.
2. Put some seeds in the palm of one hand, then use the other hand to take a few seeds and spread them over the surface of the compost. Try to space the seeds evenly.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of compost over the top of the seeds, until they are all covered with a thin layer.
4. If there are drainage holes in the pot, place it on a vegetable saucer.
5. Water your container aiming for the compost to be damp but not soaked. A spray bottle is easier for children because it makes overwatering more difficult.
6. Place your container on a window ledge that receives plenty of natural light.
7. Check your container every day. If you feel the compost is dry, add a little water. Your seedlings may begin to bend toward the light; If this happens, turn the container regularly.
8. Young greens are ready to harvest when the seedlings are about 5 cm tall. Use scissors or your fingers to snip it off at the base.
Now you can enjoy eating your little vegetables. You can sow small seeds every few days to create a continuous supply of leaves.
Growing winter bedding plants in a pot is one of the easiest ways to liven up a lackluster winter garden. Container gardening is ideal for kids because of the smaller range and low level of maintenance required. Kids will also love the responsibility of taking care of their pots, and they can add a little craft too by decorating their container or making plant signs.
Bedding plants are cheap and readily available at this time of year and easy for young hands to handle. Good choices for winter container plants include pansies, violas, heather, primrose, cyclamen for flowers, ivy, heuchera and cinaria for foliage.
Kathryn Hughes
you will need
- pot or plant pot
- Fertilizer
- hand shovel
- gardening gloves
- winter bedding plants
- irrigation plate
1. Fill your bowl with compost until it is almost full.
2. Carefully remove each plant from its pot. Move the base of the plant between your fingers, then turn the plant over, and use your other hand to gently loosen the pot. Try not to damage the roots.
3. Turn your plant in the right direction and place it in your container. Keep adding plants until they look full; You can manipulate their positions until you are satisfied with the overall effect. Tall plants do best at the back of the pot, and trailing plants should be planted toward the edge where they can tip over.
4. Use more compost to fill in any gaps around the plants.
5. Water the pot and place it where you can see it from inside the house.
6. Your pot may not need to be watered again during the winter, but it’s worth checking it regularly. Insert a finger into the compost, and water it if it feels dry.
7. Remove any dead flowers regularly, this will encourage the plants to produce more beautiful flowers.
Involving children in the planning stages of garden design can be just as fun as the actual gardening itself. Giving them responsibility for their own little plot of land is a great way to spark their imaginations, and will also encourage them to keep busy and take care of their plants.
You do not need to hand over a large area of u200bu200bthe garden; A container, part of a frame, or a small loft bed will work well.
Kathryn Hughes
Things to think about
The goal here is to give children control over what they grow, but of course there will be some practical aspects to consider. Here are some areas that you can discuss together as they work on the design of their plot.
- How much space do we have?
- What are the conditions on our little plot of land? Think about the amount of sunlight/shade, temperature, soil type, and exposure to things like wind and frost.
- Do we want to grow edible plants, flowers, or a combination of both?
- What types of flowers and plants do we like? Think color, smell, texture, length, and taste (for eating).
- How can we ensure that our small plot of land supports local wildlife such as pollinating insects, wild birds and small mammals?
- What time of the year do we want our plot to look great?
- Are we going to grow plants from seeds or buy them as young plants?
- What is our budget – how much do we want to spend?
Talking about these areas will help you create a wish list of plants that are well suited to growing in your small plot.
Design your own plot
Once you’ve narrowed down your plant list, it’s time to get creative and design your plot. All you really need is a piece of paper and some crayons or pencils, but if you want to design your outline on a large scale, you can use graph paper.
Thinking about the following areas will help:
- How many types of plants do you have room for? Remember that she will grow up!
- If you are creating a flower display, where is the best place to place the tallest plants? What about the smaller ones? How would you like to arrange the different colors?
- If you grow edible plants, will you have access to them when it’s time to harvest?
- Do any of your plants need support?
- How easy is it to water your plot and remove weeds?
- Do you want to include decorative elements in your design?
Next steps
The final stage of planning your little blueprint is deciding what you need to do next to turn it into reality. This could be creating a plant shopping list, surveying a plot, ordering some seeds, thinking of ways to decorate your plot, or learning more about the plants you will plant and the wildlife you might visit.
Making a simple to-do list of identifiable things is a good way to keep the kids motivated – and it will also mean you’re ready to crack when the weather warms up!
He follows Beautiful house on instagram.
garden edit
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