just wondering what are some things I could have the kids plant this spring or summer that will be easy to take care of? I'm going to start a little garden for them to learn about planting and the process of taking care of it. Also if you have some other fun summer ideas I can do with them I would appreciate it. Their ages are my son who will be 8 my daughter who will be 4 my niece who is 3 and then I'll have a 15 month old and a 9 month old. THank you for your time!
Peas! They can go in the ground early and you can harvest them superfast. Go with snap peas that you eat with the pod!
Also good early veggies are lettuce and spinach (go in the ground as soon as can be worked).
Great summer veggies that prodice bountiful harvests are cucumbers, squash and cherry tomatoes.
We have a garden every year and my daughter loves it!
Good luck!
Tomatoes are fairly easy. You will need to plant 2 plants though. You can try lettuce - we haven't had good luck but you might be able to. Squash is good but gets really large and spread out. Are you wanting a container garden or are you going to dig a plot in the ground ? Call a garden shop and see what they recommend.
I agree with tomatoes and zucchini. I planted both for the first time this year and my 2 (now 3) y/o loved helping with the garden and monitoring the plants. I would start with tomato starter plants. We did both and the seed plants did grow and bear fruit it just took forever and for the little kids they get a bit bored waiting! ;) You could do both though, it might be interesting for the 8 y/o to study the differences. We grew zucchini from seed and it grew fast and huge! We had a ton of plants and flowers but we never got any fruit! :( I guess there is a beetle of some sort that is pretty fond of this plant and if you get it that's it I guess. So maybe ask at the store what you can put on it, I'm going to try that this year too!
Flowers are also fun. Get some seeds that are easy to care for and work with the light you have. We planted some pansies for my husband's g-ma and they are still growing on her windowsill! My daughter loves to look at them each time we visit and they do look pretty! Wildflowers are a good option too, or sunflowers if you have a space with lots of light.
Other good summer activities are anything with water! You could also do bubbles one day. I get a big tub, like a sweater box type thing, and fill it with water and Joy soap. Then I get all kinds of stuff to make bubbles like slotted spoons, hangers, 6-pack rings, etc. etc. The kids can go crazy and make a mess and make some big and little bubbles and it's all outside!
Tie dying is always a big hit too. We always go to the blueberry patch and pick blueberries and my kids love it! Then you can all make yummy goodies with your harvest, that's also fun! Who doesn't like a good muffin?!
Try Zuchini. It's easy to grow and usually prolific. You just might be able to get this vegetable into them. I love putting it into spaghetti sauce.
Beans and bell peppers,carrots, lettuces but you will have to bunny proof.
Sunflowers so that they can use them to feed the birds in the fall.
I suggest pickling cucumbers and I second the tomato suggestion. We planted two cucumber plants and were overrun with cucumbers. My daughter (3) loves them especially because they are little. You could even make pickles. Most veggies are easy to grow provided you don't have critters eating them and you remember to water them in the early morning or evening. You could allow each of the older children to choose a vegetable to plant. Also, remember if you are starting from seeds you will need to start them indoors several weeks before spring planting. Ok, you don't NEED to start them indoors but the plants usually do better if you do. Good luck.
Things with big seeds are fun for kids. Also things that are super easy to grow. So in early spring you can plant radishes, peas, swiss chard. A little later you can do little thumbelina carrots (they have tiny seeds but are really fun to harvest). Beans, squash and corn can be planted together and are VERY easy to grow. Potatoes can be fun but take up a bit of room. All these things are super easy to take care of. Start with good healthy soil with lots organic matter in it and good drainage.
Summer ideas... well make bird feeders and then watch the birds and keep a log to see how many different kinds you get. Paint rocks. Make stepping stones. Collect leaves and use them to make leaf prints. You can turn them in to place mats. Make and fly kites. Nature walk... walk with the kids, give each a bag to collect "nature stuff" come back and make a collage or put in a jar. Paint bird houses. All kids love water so have a water table.
Sounds like super fun to me.
I love the sound of a garden and I don't want to discourage you at all. But I do remember hearing about certain parts of plants being dangerous to plant with young kids around. This is what I found... I'd make sure to do some more research before you plant.
While these are not poisonous plants as such - after all, we are encouraged to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg each day - certain parts of them can be toxic.
Remember: any unripe fruit or vegetable can cause stomach upset and generally affect the gastrointestinal system.
APPLE: the seeds/pips are toxic, containing cyanide.
APRICOT: the kernel, which looks a bit like an almond, also contains cyanide, and children have died as a result of eating a few of them. However, they do taste very bitter, so most children - if they even try eating a kernel - will be put off by the taste.
RHUBARB: while the stems are used for all sorts from jam to wine, the leaves are highly toxic.
POTATOE: unripe or green potatoes are toxic, as is the foliage. Hence the need to store potatoes in the dark and cut out any parts which are green before cooking.
TOMATO: the unripe fruit of the tomato plant can cause stomach problems, while the stems and foliage often irritate the skin.
STRAWBERRY: a number of people develop allergic reactions to strawberries.
BRASSILICA: these are vegetables such as cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, etc. A number of people find them indigestible and develop allergic reactions to them. If your child really doesn't like sprouts, there might be a valid reason for it!
While a number of these 'poisonous plants' can and do at times cause serious health complications and even death, the majority don't have such drastic effects or have to be eaten in large quantities before they do much damage. However, it is best to be aware of any possible toxic effect a plant may have, especially when considering planting up gardens for young children. Don't let this list put you off eating apples!
