Spring is an exciting time to introduce our little ones to the joys of gardening.
As the weather warms and nature bursts into life, planting seeds and watching them grow can be a magical experience for little ones. Gardening provides not only a fun and engaging activity, but also offers numerous educational benefits.
Through simple tasks like digging, planting, and watering, children develop essential fine motor skills and learn about responsibility. It’s a hands-on way to teach them about the environment, the seasons, and the importance of caring for living things. Even something as simple as observing how plants grow helps develop patience and an understanding of nature's seasons.
A beginner-friendly garden project could include growing easy-to-care-for plants like sunflowers or herbs. These plants grow quickly, giving children something to observe and care for on a regular basis. You can start a small garden at home, whether it’s in the backyard, on a windowsill, or in pots on the balcony.
Here are our top three vegetable suggestions that are ideal for planting during the spring season:
- Potatoes
Planting Time: March
Early potatoes can be planted in March for an early summer harvest. They are a fun and easy vegetable for children to grow as they can observe how the plants start to sprout and later dig up the potatoes from the soil, which can feel like a treasure hunt. They're ideal for small garden spaces or containers.
- Carrots
Planting Time: March (early varieties)
Carrots can be sown outdoors as early as March, particularly early-ripening varieties. Carrots are easy to grow and provide an exciting experience for young gardeners, especially when it's time to harvest and pull them from the soil. Growing carrots also helps children understand the importance of soil health, as they develop underground.
- Leeks
Planting Time: January to March (indoors or in cold frames)
Leeks are hardy and can be sown early in the year, either in a seed tray or directly outdoors in milder weather. They thrive in cooler temperatures and are great for teaching kids about growing vegetables slowly over the seasons, as they require patience but are relatively low maintenance.
