Teaching children to grow vegetables and other garden ramblings!
I’ve always been passionate about gardening. Even from a young age. I remember sitting at a table in my back garden one summer, happily sowing seeds and planting plants. I’d sat in the same place for a good few hours with the sun blazing down on my back. Despite the sunburn, I’d enjoyed spending that time getting back to nature.
Every year for the past three years, I’ve grown vegetables and fruit from our garden. Every year, I’ve learnt something new and this year I’ll be growing more than ever before! I’m lucky that in our new house we have a lovely spacious greenhouse that I’ve been making the most of. Thankfully our four year old twin girls love to help me and it’s great to see that they’re not afraid of getting their hands dirty!
This year we’re hoping to successfully grow:
Broccoli
Broad Beans
Carrots
Sweetcorn
Spring onions
Radishes
Cucumber
Lettuce
Peppers
Tomatoes
Potatoes
I’ve planted the broccoli and broad beans directly into the ground inside the greenhouse. R and M, our twins, really enjoyed helping to prepare the soil and to water it.
The majority of everything else will be grown in patio planters which are also in the greenhouse. It’s great to see the girls enjoying spending this time outdoors, but it’s also a nice way to spend some time with them both away from the TV.
We took a trip to a garden centre in the week to buy some compost and gardening gloves for the girls. As we were going down one aisle, the girls saw some small house plants which had been reduced to a couple of pounds. They chose one each and have promised to look after it themselves! It’s great to see them so keen! One morning, M, woke up before anyone else and she left our bed to go and check her plant was still alive! She checks on her plant regularly throughout the day too!
I think the best thing about growing your own vegetables is being able to enjoy them. Last year the girls loved digging up the potatoes we grew and pulling out the carrots! They’re both keen to grow pumpkins too! We have the seeds ready, but it’s a bit too early to sow them yet! It’ll certainly
make Halloween interesting this year!
Have you tried to grow your own fruit and vegetables? It’s really easy and you don’t even need to have a big garden to do it as you can easily use planters and different sized pots, as well as growbags.
Why not give it a go!
13 Comments
Mellissa Williams
March 17, 2016 at 4:26 pm
I wish I had a garden. I would love to grow vegetables, you must get a lot of satisfaction in nurturing them, seeing them grow and then eating!
Hannah Brown
March 17, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Josh is so concerned by the photo of Ruby on her own!! Why is she on her own mum, is she ok? Wheres her mummy!!! How cute. I really would love to grow our own things. Hopefully we can! xxxx
kerry norris
March 17, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Awww my hubby loves to do this with Eva. I must admit I am useless at it and leave this to those two. Last year we gee quite a bit. We successfully grew lettuce, potatoes and carrots from what I remember. It's a brilliant thing to do with the children. Looking forward to seeing how you get on x
Emma
March 18, 2016 at 8:02 am
At my oldesk house we grew strawberries which the kids loved, peas and potatoes. We tried the same thing but unfortunately our chickens ate everything!!! Trying to think of an alternative. #binkylinky lifeinthemumslane
Emma
March 18, 2016 at 8:02 am
At my oldesk house we grew strawberries which the kids loved, peas and potatoes. We tried the same thing but unfortunately our chickens ate everything!!! Trying to think of an alternative. #binkylinky lifeinthemumslane
Sarah Howe
March 18, 2016 at 8:10 am
Hubby was really into his gardening before the gremlin came along – time issues have made him do less but I think now she is older, we may get her involved. Lovely seeing your girls getting their hands dirty! xx
Something Crunchy Mummy
March 18, 2016 at 1:03 pm
What a great idea. I really want to do this once we are in our new place, they always taste better when home grown don't they. #binkylinky xx
Helen J
March 18, 2016 at 1:09 pm
This is such a great activity and a fun way for children to learn too! I've grown courgettes and tomatoes successfully, oh and one single strawberry! My daughter is a bit young for gardening but I'm looking forward to the when we can 🙂 #binkylinky
Helen x
http://treasureeverymoment01.blogspot.co.uk/
Nadine (@caringchaos)
March 18, 2016 at 3:50 pm
This is great, nurtures their appreciation for food and where it comes from – Wish I had a garden! #binkylinky
Helen Gandy – Beautiful Things
March 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm
This is so lovely. My husband loves his gardening and is just in the process of building a greenhouse and is really looking forward to showing Alfie and getting him involved. I think it's fab to get the kids involved in things like this. Thanks for hosting #binkylinky
All about a Mummy
March 18, 2016 at 10:09 pm
I really need to get my girls outside gardening more. You have inspired me! #binkylinky
Mrs Tubbs
March 19, 2016 at 8:48 pm
This is lovely. I wish we had a suitable growing space
Sally
March 20, 2016 at 3:23 pm
What a great idea, I bet your girls will be so excited to watch the progress of their vegetables.