FUN GARDEN PROJECTS for kids!

GO GREEN WITH THESE REWARDING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

There’s no better time than the summer holidays to encourage your kids to spend time outdoors. Landscape designer and Richgro ambassador, Charlie Albone, shares his top gardening activities that little green thumbs are sure to enjoy!

PLANT SEEDS

Seeds are a great way to encourage kids to think about the full plant life cycle. If they plant them themselves, they’ll be more invested in the outcome. Don’t be afraid to introduce a silly factor by making shapes with your seeds. The first letter of their name, a heart or a smiley face are all easy options. For first timers, I’d recommend using fast-growing seeds such as mustard, chives, radishes, beans, peas and basil, or flowering varieties such as marigolds, nasturtium or alyssum.

GIVE THEM THEIR OWN ‘BIT OF EARTH’

Don’t underestimate the value that children get from a sense of ownership and responsibility. It doesn’t need to be a big space – it could be an established garden bed, a planter box or a blank canvas – but gifting them something of their own to look after can be an easy way to encourage an interest in spending time outdoors. My boys love having their own vegie and flower patches and take their watering duties very seriously!

I recommend working together to get the space ready – that might mean selecting some new plants together, asking them where different things should be planted or fertilising it together.

START A WORM FARM

Kids tend to love the idea that worms eat their leftovers and you can use their vermicompost to help the garden grow better. There are plenty of starter kits on the market, but it’s also something you can build from scratch by reusing items you already have around the home. Worms are easy to come by too – you can find them at most major garden centres.

Whatever you choose to do, and regardless of how big or small it is, your garden is a fantastic place to create family memories, so get out there as often as you can!