Varieties to Try:Lemon Coral SedumBurro’s Tail. Include a garden fountain made from pots for gurgling sounds bound to enchant children. Gourds have been used for thousands of years for decorative purposes and also used as early bottles, storage containers (the first Tupperware), utensils (spoons), and musical instruments. provide sweet, refreshing fruit and are a wonderful source of Vitamins A and C. These vining plants require lots of room to spread (leave at least 5 feet between standard plants, and 3 feet between compact “bush” varieties). 3. You'll find both flowering and fruiting perennials in this list. Biennial. Aside from traditional basil, there are also lemon, lime, anise, and cinnamon flavored types. Flowers range from white through yellows and dark red. Annual. e.g. To kids, harvesting root crops is like digging for buried treasure! To grow a vine from a whole sweet potato:Take a whole sweet potato (pointy side down) and poke four toothpicks around the middle, then rest the potato on the lip of a clear glass (a Mason jar works great). Although it is easy to grow, it doesn’t become invasive like Japanese honeysuckle (yellow blossoms). Globe-shaped flowers come in purple, red, and white. Chive flowers are also edible and come in white, lavender, or purple. shrubs range from 4 to 6 feet tall. , sometimes called pot marigolds, look more like daisies, with bright flowers in a range of yellows and oranges. They grow and blossom best in cooler temperatures. Plants to inspire children. (Gardeners don’t grow these two crops for flowers or seeds, but you may wish to let some specimens complete their life cycles just to illustrate the biennial cycle to children – just be aware that the roots will no longer be palatable!). The tops grow quickly for student sampling. These are subdivided into which to purchase as established plans rather than start from seed. Give children their own positive experience by introducing them to some inspiring plants; Easy flowers to grow from seed include as sunflower, marigolds and poppies and big seeds from trees such as oak or sycamore Plant a few different kinds so you’ll have a rainbow of colors to harvest. Images of crushed plants can make one think that it may not be worth it. These sturdy annuals are likely a familiar sight to you, and there's a reason Grandma always grew them. Look for plants, which will bear fruit the first season. Online databases of poisonous plants are available here: WHAT'S AN ANNUAL? Some have an upright growth habit, while trail. Grow things together! Annual. Flowers are also variable in size, from dwarfs that would fit in the palm of your hand to giants that are as large as your head. Grows to 2 feet tall. Pumpkin plants need lots of room for their vines to spread. , also known as sugarleaf, is another good sensory plant for children. Like spinach, it’s high in vitamins and iron. grow well during cooler months in the far south, but throughout the summer in cooler climates. They’re easy to grow and produce cheerful, vibrant, flowers. Our classic Mr Men and Little Gardeners ranges are specially picked by trusted seed providers as great for children to grow. This lacy-looking annual plant has a sweet fragrance that’s easily carried on in the breeze. When you offer kids the opportunity to “eat flowers,” they’re sure to be intrigued! They’re easy to grow and bloom continuously throughout the growing season. This shrub likes full sun and comes in a variety of sizes, from two to five feet tall, so read the plant label to make sure you give it ample space. Ages 3-4: This is the perfect age for them to help with picking fruit and vegetables, mulching, weeding, catching insects and making mud pies. It doesn't have to be a nightmare. A must for a child’s garden, plant just one or two, since they take a lot of room. They prefer mostly sun, drought-tolerant once established, and many types tolerate extreme cold. They vary in skin color (white, brown, yellow, red, or purple), shape, and flavor (from sweet to spicy). Harvest roots while fairly young – they can become tough and fibrous when they grow too large. This herb is used to flavor dill pickles, dressings, fish, and dips. germinate in 3 to 7 days and many are ready for little hands to harvest 30 to 45 days. If you do plant them in the heat of summer, monitor water needs frequently. Biennial. Entertain your children with a range of educational activities that have been developed, in collaboration with the RHS, for four- to seven-year olds. An excellent crop for both spring and fall. 1. Biennial. Perennial in zones 5 to 9. is available in many different shapes, sizes and colors, with varieties adapted to different climates and growing conditions from very wet to very dry soils. Let your children select an array of succulents from the garden centre. Flowers are white or blue flowers and you can choose varieties with upright growth or with trailing branches. Perennial in zones 8-10; annual elsewhere. The best advice that I can give is to check what you already have in the garden, and only to buy new plants that are safe (most are, and they are labelled). blossoms are made up of papery bracts (modified leaf structures) that make them easy to dry for play and for craft projects. It’s very easy to grow, even in poor soil. The most flexible planting time in most areas is in the spring after chance of frost has passed, but many will also thrive if planted in summer or fall. are a children’s favorite – kids love to grow their own Halloween pumpkins. are usually the first fresh fruit of the growing season, making them a children’s favorite. Many adult gardeners keep journals about what works and what … are perky green plants with bright yellow flowers. Encouraging your children to be outside in the garden is all about fun! Use the following list as a guide for easy-to-grow suggestions. are tall, old-fashioned garden favorites that are fairly drought tolerant and easy to grow. You kids will be amazed by the size of elephant ear plants. Easy, Edible Plants for Kids . , grown for its green, immature flower buds, is a tasty treat that is also high in nutritional value. are plants that complete their life cycle during one growing season; that is, they sprout from seed, blossom, set seed, and die within a short time. is high in Vitamin A and by weight has more Vitamin C an orange! All spread quickly by underground rhizomes, so if you don’t want them to take over other plants, plant mint in a pots or a separate bed. They have a fascinating growth habit: After pollination the flower stalk stretches down to touch the soil, and fruits (peanuts) develop underground. are grown for their nutritious roots. Pinch off the flowers if you wish to maximize the sweetness of the leaves. , with its tall stature, can offer a structural as well as edible element to a preschool garden. Now, get growing! There is a wide array of plant species in the Children’s Garden — including a 100-year-old Mulberry Tree that’s perfect for climbing. Flowers may have a single layer of petal-like ray flowers or may have more layers for a fuller look. Different varieties grow from 16 inches to 4 feet tall. are vining plants with fruits that come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. is a member of the mint family, is easy to grow, very fragrant, and has attractive flowers. Blossoms close at night and in cloudy weather – have children watch for these changes. grows quickly and forms the foundation for fresh classroom salads. is another daisy-type flowers with white, pink, red, orange, yellow, and some bi-color blossoms. They’re also easy to grow. Succulents are super easy to grow, and they come in a rainbow of colors and hundreds of shapes and sizes! It is also commonly used in cooking with breads, meats and vegetables. Annual. Note activity on calendar. Most have a vining habit and need support in order to yield a good crop. Although orange pumpkins are the most common, they also come in red, white, and gray. At harvest time, pumpkins can be turned into jack-o-lanterns and their seeds roasted for a tasty and nutritious snack. come in hundreds of varieties, ranging from dwarf plants up to 3 feet tall, and in a rainbow of colors, some of which are specked and striped. seeds are large enough for kids to handle easily and plant, and they grow quickly, some maturing in as few as 45 days. Choosing the right plants is always important, but it’s especially crucial for gardens designed for young children. If you're looking for a way to transition your kids from screen time to green time, gardening might be just the answer you're looking for. Many tomatoes are actually long vines that require staking, but newer cherry tomato varieties have been bred to be compact and tidy so they grow best in pots. Your plants can create a beautiful environment, whether they are in a garden, a raised bed or a pot, and you and your children will enjoy every stage of the process. Pumpkins take up a lot of space in the garden, with vines that may stretch up to 20 feet long, although newer varieties are more compact. Long, spiky flowers in shades of red, white, pink, or purple on this hardy bush attract oodles of butterflies and hummingbirds all summer long. It will grow in part shade, but flowers best in full sun. Broccoli can blossom prematurely (called bolting) in hot weather, so plant seedlings when the weather is cool to ensure a good harvest. Beets can be eaten boiled, baked, or pickled. The flowers attract butterflies, and the leaves are a food source for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Colors include red, orange, yellow, white, pink and striped. Annual. Some types, such as the heirloom variety Scarlet Runner, attract hummingbirds too. Make a garden space just for the kids. is a compact herb plant with attractive pink and purple flowers. They are hardy and grow well in hot, dry conditions. Garden Resources for Parents and Teachers, Encourage Pollinators and Beneficial Insects. Bee hotels and plants and pots to make gardening fun. 2. Like beets and carrots, the roots are the prize, and they come in a wide variety of shapes (round to oblong), colors (including red, white, pink, purple, yellow), and sizes. Country Living editors select each product featured. GROW FROM SEED 1. The curly variety has a tight, mounding growth that resembles a bed of soft moss, making it a nice “touch plant”. Corn; Tomatoes; Watermelons; Cucumbers; Squash; Pumpkins; Carrots; Beans; Potatoes; Peas; Strawberries; Watermelons, vining peas and beans are fun to watch as they climb fences or cages. Here are a few to get you started: Paint terra cotta pots for container gardening; Turn popsicle sticks into plant labels with bright paint or markers There is a wide array of plants in a garden center. is an evergreen woody shrub that produces pine-scented leaves used in cooking and potpourri. Watch it grow, then transplant to a pot or into the ground. The flowers are edible and great for pressing to use with craft activities. , also known as Mexican sunflower, has red, orange, and yellow flowers that attract butterflies. Ages 0-3: They’ll enjoy being outside and enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and colours of nature. Kids Gardening Set - Kids Gardening Tools Set Colorful Children Garden Tools Fun STEM Toys with Watering Can, Gloves, Shovel, Rake, Trowel, Storage Bag, Apron, Sprayer - … is a North American native wildflower. You can plant most perennials throughout your growing season, although each variety may have an optimum planting date for your area. Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. This organic garden kit for kids is ideal for children who want to learn about looking after an indoor garden. 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