Gardening can be a bit daunting when you’re new to the process, have little time, or just have no idea where to start. It’s ok! A green thumb is learned, I say (only because of the amount of plants I have lost). And many of these steps can include little helping hands, involving them in the process.
Pick Your Crops – Grow What You’ll Eat
It seems obvious, but choosing crops based on likes/dislikes is something people tend to overlook. They just grow what they know will grow in their climate. But the most important thing when choosing which crops to grow is to think about what your family eats on a regular basis and only grow what you’ll actually eat. Beyond growing what you like to eat, if your climate won’t support the crop, it’s best not to waste your time growing it. Ask around to neighbors and friends who have gardened before to find out what grows best in your area.
Choosing a Garden
Picking your garden location is very important. If you’re working with a smaller space or maybe even an existing garden, you may not have the best option, so work with what you have. However, if you’re choosing your garden location, you’ll want to know the direction the sun is coming from and approximately how many hours of sunlight your garden will get from about May to September. Most crops need at least six hours of sunlight in or to grow and produce quality crops, so try not to pick a shady location that won’t get more than a few hours of sunlight each day. It may, however, work great for cool-weather crops like lettuce and brassicas. If you have a yard with a north and south side, it’s typical that the southern side is going to be a bit warmer.
Involve children in choosing plants to increase their interest in caring for them. Choose fast-growing, edible plants like radishes, lettuces, or sweet cherry tomatoes. Use good quality, nutrient-rich potting mix or compost. Let kids plant seeds (like large beans or peas) or transplant seedlings. Don’t worry about perfect spacing; allow them to explore and learn.
Making it Fun
It’s easy to go overboard – try starting small and working your way up, adding one or two new things a year. You can keep it simple by starting with small seedlings rather than just seeds to ensure quick results. Easy plants to start with include cherry tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and lettuce. Or plant easy flowers like sunflowers or marigolds.
Give children their own tools (small shovels, colorful watering cans) and make them responsible for watering. Use popsicle sticks for plant markers. Start a garden journal where they can draw or photograph the growth.
