Getting children involved in the garden can be a great way for them to experience and learn more about the lifecycle and nurturing of other living things. Starting the growing process from seeds will help them to understand the entire process, they will be able to judge when the plant needs watering by feeling the top of the potting mix for dry or wetness.. Guiding the children and helping them understand the seasons, directions and how best to look after the seed to ensure successful crops.

It’s always best to give children their own little space where they can build on their own little garden. If you don’t have the space available you can use pots, containers, reuse an old sandbox or have an off-site space at a family members house they can visit often.

Although children’s gardening tools are often cute and colourful, you need to ensure they are still good quality and do the job that is required, alternatively, you could let them use your tools.

It’s important to choose plants that require basic and minimal attention, not something that requires a great deal of work or additional fertilising when you are introducing your kids to gardening, they could easily be discouraged if they have crops that don’t grow or require too much time, the key is to make it fun and easy and develop their skills as they take on more complex crops.

The best crops for children to grow:

• Sunflowers
• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Carrots
• Nasturtiums
• Bush Beans
• Snow Peas
• Potatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Pumpkin
• Green Onions
• Zucchini
• Strawberries
• Watermelon