Gardening with children is an activity that can bring a lot of joy and learning to families.

This new hobby can be full of learning, outdoor activity, shopping trips for seeds and plants, and most of all, a respect and appreciation for wildlife. With the right plants, materials and guidance, children of any age can get involved in gardening. Here are five tips for choosing plants to grow from seed with children:

1. Choose Easy To Grow Seeds: Look for seeds that grow quickly and easily so kids don’t lose interest while they wait for results. Sunflowers, radishes, and carrots are all great options.

2. Consider A Variety Of Plants: Growing a variety of plants allows children to experience different textures, colors, shapes, and smells. Try planting vegetables as well as flowers so that the yield is both visually stimulating and practical.

3. Plant In Containers: When planting in containers, you can move the containers outside so that children can observe and interact with the plants in a safe environment.

4. Plant Edible Plants: Grow herbs or vegetables that your family enjoys to encourage kids to try something new and see their hard work come to fruition when they taste it.

5. Research Native Or Adapted Plants: Native or adapted plants are ideal for kids to grow because they can better withstand environmental conditions in your area. Research what grows best in your climate and make sure you know how to care for the plants.

Gardening with children is a wonderful way to teach them about nature, responsibility, patience and respect for wildlife. As parents or guardians, you have a unique opportunity to link their interest in plants with the limitless choice of venues that explore it beyond their present knowledge. Why not arrange a visit to a botanical garden or an arboretum or even join an online community of other young gardeners?

Shopping for seeds

Start small. Give your little gardener a few packets of flower and vegetable seeds to choose from. Let them pick out their favorites or take this opportunity to teach them about colors, shapes and sizes.

Once you have your seeds, select an appropriate area in the garden to plant them. Make sure the area receives enough sun for the plants to grow and has good soil.

Taking Care of Your Garden

Explain to children the importance of taking care of their garden. Show them how to water the plants and pull out weeds so that the plants have enough nutrients to survive.

The garden must be tended to on a regular basis. Using the right tools and products helps keep gardens looking great, while teaching children the importance of manual labor and responsibility.

Harvesting the Garden

The best part of gardening is watching little ones excitedly harvest the fruits of their labor. Make sure to explain the importance of harvesting as soon as possible and show them how to do it correctly.

When you successfully grow a plant from seed, you're giving your children an incredible gift that will be with them for their entire lives. Gardening provides kids with an opportunity to learn about nature and brings a lot of joy and learning to families. Get your kids outside and start gardening today!

Gifts of garden tools and kits for children

Gardening tools and kits are excellent gifts for children of all ages. The right tools will help make gardening easier, safer and more enjoyable for young gardeners. Look for items like child-size shovels, rakes, gloves and hoses. You can also find kits that provide everything your child needs to start gardening, such as a watering can, seed packets and pots.

Help children understand gardening is more than just getting your hands dirty – it’s a skill and an important life lesson. Providing the right tools and guidance can help kids appreciate the beauty of the natural world and learn to nurture the plants they grow.

Best kid friendly venues for horticulture and inspiration

1. Botanical gardens

• Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, GA: This beautiful botanic garden offers educational classes such as 'Sprouting Scientists' in March 2023 for toddlers to discover the fabulous world of plants and animals.

• Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ: Explore the Sonoran Desert with your family at this botanic garden. The Children's Discovery Garden has engaging activities like exploring a reconstructed beehive, digging for fossils, and more. Dog Days from January to May 20023 allows the trails to be explored where you and your pup can smell the spring wildflowers.

• San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, CA: This vibrant botanic garden has a ton of activities for kids such as interactive play areas and the Kids' Farm. Join the staff in the Incredibles Section of Hamilton Children's Garden to plant, water, weed, see insects, decomposers and seeds to fruit.

2. Arboretums

• Holden Arboretum - Kirtland, Ohio: This spectacular arboretum covers more than 3,500 acres and is the largest in Ohio. Holden Arboretum offers plenty of activities for kids such as scavenger hunts, interactive educational programs and nature classes. Kids can explore the forest, observe wildlife and choose their favorite wild flower in the Holden Garden.

• Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania: Covering 1,000 acres of land, this family-friendly arboretum is the perfect place to explore with kids. Beat the winter temperatures outside with a stroll through their Conservatory to see plants from around the world.
• Arnold Arboretum - Boston, Massachusetts: This sprawling arboretum features thousands of trees and shrubs from all over the world. They value accessibility for everyone and have self-guided family activities.

3. Community gardens

• The Discovery Garden at The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This garden was designed to give children a hands-on introduction to food gardening, nature exploration, and environmental stewardship. Kids can explore themed areas such as the Wetlands Exploration area, the Native Texas habitat, the Vegetable Garden, and the Biodiversity Garden.
• The Discovery Garden at the Toledo Botanical Gardens in Ohio is a great spot for kids to explore their creative side. A winter-time visit will let you see what plants offer and display to catch your eye.
• The Growing Gardens Program at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. is another great kid-friendly community garden. Their popular '30 Minute Family and Child-based Gardening Consultation' is for parents, professionals, or anyone who is interested in working with kids in their garden. School garden educators with years of experience using gardens to engage students in growing their own food, flowers and native plants are at hand to help. In addition they are practiced in using the garden as a learning laboratory for math, science, food exploration, and multi-cultural lessons. 

Garden Centers, Nurseries and online communities of young gardeners are also worth checking out for extra help. Gardening with children is a great way to get the whole family involved in something that’s both educational and fun. So start today! And enjoy!