| Starting a garden is a rewarding task. There is a | | | | soon get too overwhelmed. The size of the |
| lot involved when you first invest time into | | | | garden depends on the kid. Bigger kids can handle |
| gardening but in the end it brings many benefits | | | | more and thus should have a bigger area but no |
| including fresh and healthier food and it can even | | | | more than three or four feet wide. |
| bring in the benefit of a little extra cash. | | | | Give Kids Garden Jobs |
| Getting your kids involved in the gardening | | | | Assign garden jobs and chores just as you would |
| process is even more rewarding. The kids learn | | | | any chore. Watering, putting away tools, and |
| responsibility, patience and the way nature works. | | | | weeding are just a few chores that most kids |
| But how can you start the kids on their | | | | could do on their own. Other jobs such as tilling |
| adventure into gardening? Here are a few ideas. | | | | and transplanting could be done by older kids. |
| Give Kids the Choice | | | | Garden Science |
| Giving kids a voice in design and choice in the | | | | Kids seem to have a fascination for science and |
| garden matters. It will make them feel like the | | | | how things work. Get the kids involved in the |
| garden is a more personal experience to them. | | | | garden by showing them the science of plants. |
| Even the younger kids can have a choice with | | | | It doesn't have to be elaborate science either. |
| parental encouragement. Allow the younger kids | | | | There are experiments you can do right in the |
| to choose which vegetable to plant in their garden | | | | garden or on the back porch. Plant different |
| this year. Or allow them to help with the seed | | | | varieties of plants and see which grow better. |
| buying at the plant nursery or home and garden | | | | Try different soils and see which plant grows |
| store. | | | | faster and healthier. What about saving seeds for |
| The smallest decision can help a kid grow to love | | | | next year? There are so many different science |
| the gardening experience. | | | | activities that could be done in the garden. |
| Give Kids a Garden of their Own | | | | Continue the Cycle |
| Give the kids a small garden area of their own | | | | Start the kids early in life and they might just |
| even if it is just one small pot. Help them decide | | | | grow up to continue the tradition with their own |
| what would go best in that small plot. | | | | kids. The cycle will continue and perhaps you can |
| Don't make the area too big or the kids may | | | | garden with your grandkids someday. |