By Kylee Harris
Gardening has become a popular activity all over the world as we’ve started to make the most of our outdoor spaces. In Australia, nurseries and gardens report a 40 percent increase in sales: there has been a surge in demand for seedlings and other gardening products. Indeed, families are spending more time planting flowers and vegetables in their backyards, and not only is this a great way to bond, but it also enables you to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’re thinking about gardening with your children, here are some simple tasks that they can do with you.
Collecting grass trimmings and weeds
After mowing the lawn and clearing your garden of weeds, ask your kids to help you collect the garden trimmings and waste. Next, chop them up into small pieces, and let your children help you spread them over your garden. Over time, these will decompose and will naturally fertilise the soil. Doing so is an effective way to reuse yard waste, and it also enables you to practise sustainable gardening: a valuable lesson for your children.
Watering the plants
Watering plants is one of the simplest gardening tasks that’s appropriate for young children.
Provide your little one with a lightweight watering can, and show them the proper way to do it so as not to overwater your crops or flowers. Teach your child to water deeply, directing water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves too much, which can result in the growth of fungus. If possible, plan on watering plants early in the morning when the sunlight is at its weakest, and to give foliage time to dry before the night falls. You should also teach your kids to give newly planted trees and shrubs lots of water every seven days, while container gardens should be watered daily.
