Container Gardening for Children!

Image by LollyKnit via Flickr

Container gardening for children is a wonderful way for them to learn about growing things. It is an activity that can be done, both, inside and outdoors. It is suitable for children of all ages. Of course, younger children will require the most supervision.

This project is suitable for the classroom, for scouting groups and for homeschooling families. Container gardening fits into almost any budget and basic supplies are really quite affordable.

If you are working with a group of students, for example, you can easily request that they bring a container from home. You might even consider giving a small prize to the child that comes up with the most unique container idea.

When choosing a container, for this activity, there are several things to keep in mind. Plants that have larger roots will require more drainage and will need a container with small holes to allow the water to escape.

Containers constructed out of pre-treated wood should be avoided. There is a possibility that the toxic chemicals, in this type of wood, might be transferred to the soil and plants. Should you decide to make your own wooden planters, utilize a wood such as cedar. It will not rot.

If you will be gardening outdoors, think about using old tires as your containers. They work very well for container gardening and you will be helping the environment, because you are recycling.

When considering the best plants to use for container gardening, consider using dwarf varieties. Children are especially intrigued by these smaller plants, which produce mini flowers and vegetables.

Plants which thrive in these gardens include but are not limited to: carrots, green pepper, eggplant, tomatoes, sage, chives, petunias, marigolds, pansies, coleus, mums and dwarf sunflowers.

Container gardening allows children to be creative and have fun, while learning about nature. What are you waiting for? Start a gardening project, today!