8 Fabulous Plants that Your Preschooler Can Grow Today
Children can enjoy gardening as it is a fun and educational activity. It allows them to develop important skills and foster a sense of responsibility. There are many plants that preschoolers can plant and care for, whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony. This comprehensive guide will explore eight plants that are safe for kids, easy to grow, and fun for young gardeners.
1. Nasturtiums – Edible beauty in every bloom
Nasturtiums, vibrant and fast-growing, are a flower that attracts children because of their unique round leaves, bright colors, and unique shape. They are not only beautiful, but they also add a peppery taste to dishes and salads. The large seeds make it easy to plant for children. Nasturtiums grow best in full sunlight and soil that is well-drained. They can be planted in containers or hanging baskets. Encourage your child’s interest in the pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This will transform your garden into an ecosystem.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting – Directly sow seeds into the soil, or plant in small pots.
- Sunlight – Make sure they get full sun to ensure optimal growth.
- Watering: Maintain soil moisture, but not waterlogged.
- Harvesting Pick leaves and flowers to give your meals a spicy kick.
2. Salad Greens – From Seed to Plate
Children will enjoy growing salad greens, since they can see the whole growth cycle from seed germination through to harvest. Young gardeners will enjoy varieties like lettuce, spinach, and arugula. These greens like cool weather, and can be grown either in garden beds or containers. Children can learn the importance of watering and spacing by sowing seeds into the soil. Harvesting leaves when they are mature gives a feeling of accomplishment and promotes healthy eating habits.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting Place seeds in rows and space them properly.
- Sunlight provides partial shading to prevent bolting
- Watering: Keep the soil moist by watering regularly.
- Harvesting: Remove outer leaves so that inner leaves can continue to grow.
3. Kale – A Healthy and Hardy Vegetable
Kale is an easy-to-grow, nutritious green that can be grown in a variety of climates. The robustness of the plant makes it suitable for younger gardeners. Kale grows best in full sunlight to partial shade, and it prefers a well-drained soil that is enriched with compost. You can either plant the seeds directly in the soil or use young seedlings. They can watch the curly leaves develop and learn the importance of eating nutrient-rich veggies. The plant can continue to produce throughout the entire season by harvesting the outer leaves.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: Spacing seeds or seedlings between 12-18 inches.
- Sunlight – Make sure they are in full sun or partial shade.
- Watering: Maintain the soil moist at all times.
- Harvesting P: Pick out the outer leaves to encourage new growth.
4. Herbs – Aromatic Wonders For Little Hands
Herbs make a great choice to introduce children to gardening because of their culinary and aromatic uses. Basil, mint, and chives varieties are especially appealing. They can be grown indoors in small pots on windowsills. The sensory experience that children get from touching and smelling leaves is a great way to teach them about the flavors of herbs. Harvesting regularly encourages growth and provides ingredients for meals.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: Sow seed in small pots or plant existing seedlings.
- Sunlight: Place the containers in a spot that gets plenty of sun.
- Watering: When the soil is dry, water it.
- Harvesting Regularly snip leaves to encourage bushy growth
5. Sweet Peas – Fragrant Flowers With a Purpose
Sweet peas add fragrance and beauty to any garden. Climbing plants are perfect for fences or trellises. The seeds can be planted directly in the soil. Children can then watch the vines grow and see the colorful flowers. Sweet peas like cool weather and soil that drains well. Children can learn to grow flowers by teaching them how to pick and support climbing vines.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: For best results, sow seeds early in the spring.
- Sunlight. Full sun is best for flowering.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
- Harvesting: Picking flowers regularly will encourage more blooms.
6. Radishes – Quick and Colorful Crops
Radishes grow quickly, so they are perfect for young gardeners who lack patience. Radishes germinate rapidly and can be harvested as early as four weeks. Radishes like cool weather and soil that drains well. The roots will grow quickly if the seeds are planted directly in the soil. Children will be rewarded visually by the colorful bulbs that appear. Radishes are a great way to introduce children to root vegetables and soil health.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: Directly sow seeds into the soil and space them accordingly.
- Sunlight – Make sure they are in full sun or partial shade.
- Watering: Maintain the soil moist at all times.
- Harvesting: Pull the radishes once they reach a desired size.
7. Carrots – Hidden Surprises
Children are fascinated by the mystery that lies under the soil when they grow carrots. You can grow them in large containers or beds of loose, well-drained dirt. Children can plant the seeds into the soil directly and then wait for the roots to develop. Regular thinned ensures the carrots remaining have sufficient space to reach their full potential. Children can experience the thrill of pulling out a full-grown vegetable by harvesting carrots.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: Spread seeds thinly to avoid overcrowding.
- Sunlight. Full sun is best for growth.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
- Harvesting: Pull carrots gently when they reach the desired size.
8. Cosmos: Colorful Blooms for Pollinators
The vibrant colors of cosmos will brighten any garden. They are easy to grow and cheerful flowers. They thrive in full sunlight and soil that is well-drained. The plants will grow taller and have more flowers as children plant the seeds in the soil. Children can learn more about pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, by planting Cosmos. Deadheading regularly encourages blooming all season long.
Gardening Tips:
- Planting: Directly sow seeds into the soil during spring.
- Sunlight – Ensure that they are exposed to full sunlight for the best results.
- Watering: When the soil is dry, water it.
- Harvesting: Remove spent blooms to encourage new blossoms
Gardening Benefits for Preschoolers
The benefits of gardening for children are numerous, including their emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
1. Boosts Physical Development
Children can develop gross and fine motor skills through gardening activities like digging, watering, and planting. Handling small seeds and tools improves hand-eye coordination, while walking and balancing tasks develop larger muscle groups. Spending time outside exposes children’s skin to the sun, which is essential for vitamin D.
2. Enhances Emotional Wellbeing
Children find it calming to be outdoors and engage with nature. Gardening is a great way to teach patience, responsibility, nd resilience. Some plants and seeds may not survive, but they learn to adapt and persevere. These emotional lessons can be just as valuable as academic ones.
3. Strengthens Family and Social Bonds
Gardening is an effort that requires collaboration. Kids learn to work together, share tools, and celebrate their little victories, whether they are gardening at home, in a preschool, or in a community garden. This activity is a great way to strengthen relationships with your family and create lifelong memories.
4. Sparks Curiosity and Creativity
Children are encouraged to explore and ask questions by gardening. The children learn about the plants’ needs, their importance, and the cycles of nature. It can also encourage curiosity and an interest in learning, which will carry over into other areas of life.
5. Teaches Responsibility and Routine
Regular attention is required to take care of plants. Children are taught the importance of routines such as checking their plants and watering them. As they watch their plants flourish, this sense of responsibility helps to build confidence.
Gardening Tips for Parents
Consider the following tips to ensure that your preschooler has a great gardening experience:
- Choose Plants for Children: Select easy-to-grow plants that are safe for children.
- Use Tools That Are Sized for Children: Provide your child with the right-sized tools.
- Create Routines: Develop a schedule to help you maintain consistency.
- Encourage exploration: Let your child explore the garden at their own pace, encouraging curiosity.
- Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate milestones to boost confidence and enthusiasm.
Growing plants with your preschooler is a great way to introduce the child to nature. It also gives them a sense of accomplishment. You can instill a love of nature and the world around us into your child by selecting appropriate plants and creating a nurturing atmosphere. Happy gardening!
