Gardening is the art of caring for nature out of love and appreciation for all it does for us. Many people find it soothing to do gardening every day for a short while, after work or school, to unwind and relax. It helps drain stress from their mind while focusing on the present and being mindful of its blissful moments. While autumn and spring months make it easier for kids to do gardening in our country, with the weather being light and comfortable, things may be different for winter and summer days.
Blistering heat and chilling winds can deter even the most enthusiastic, green-fingered kid. Therefore, it is important to understand how to make gardening a year-round activity for children. Seasons and landscapes are different in India, with some areas possessing extreme climate changes and arid soil and some enjoying beachy weather throughout the year with moderately fertile land. While one gardening solution cannot fix problems, mindful tips focusing on varying Indian geography can ensure your kids remain in touch with this wonderful hobby.
Try to include and grow a variety of plants that grow throughout the year. For example, if your garden only has daffodils, which grow during March, kids will have little inclination to garden in the other months without any pretty flowers to be around. When including flowers, keep a variety of local and common flowers like roses, dahlias, (marigolds), yellow chrysanthemums, and common primrose to see some color and gardening activity in your backyard throughout the year.
It is important to focus on the plants you choose for your garden, as soil, climate, and sunlight play a big role in determining their sustainability. You know your area’s geography best, whether it rains regularly, if the soil is fertile, or if plants receive enough light during winter. Try finding this vital information together with your kids, either through books or the internet, before picking plants. This will make sure both your garden and your kid’s interest in it are blooming throughout the year.
Add some shelter to your garden, both for plants that do not require direct sunlight in summer or do not need the excess water of monsoon rains, and your kids. Not only will this keep your plants safe, but also give your kid a fun place to play or read during rainy days or scorching summer.
If you live in a hilly region or desert area, where darkness is accompanied immediately by dropping temperatures, then it is ideal to invest in an outdoor fireplace or heater. This will help your kids stay warm and enjoy gardening in the dark, with a trustworthy source of light nearby. And if you fear your plants may not do well in the cold, consider building a glass greenhouse to keep them safe.
Another wonderful way of engaging your kids in gardening is by growing fruits and vegetables throughout the year in your garden. Try growing simple herbs like coriander, mint, and basil first, before moving on to onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots, before moving on to pumpkins, cabbages, tomatoes, sweet peas, and more. For fruits, depending on space, go gaga. Grow both seasonal and year-round fruits to keep kids captivated. This will also improve their relationship with food and inspire them to eat healthily, as kids love to try what they have grown with their own hard work.
Teach your kids about climate change, pollution, and environmental conservation, by recycling and waste products and plastic items in your house. Use plastic bottles, egg crates, bulbs with no fuse, and even empty cardboard boxes and crates. Paint and design them together with your kids to look aesthetic and fun, and plant herbs and seeds to make good use of the phrase ‘one human’s waste, can be another human’s treasure.’
Teach your kids about the cycle of nature and plants by saving some seeds from a meal they ate. Some tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkin seeds. Clean and plant them together in the garden. Those plants can be your kid’s entrusted responsibility. Once they grow and bear fruits, use them to cook a tasty meal together for your kids to eat. The cycle goes on and on, while your kids learn to eat healthy, cook wholesome meals, and continue gardening.
Gardening is a wonderful activity for children to engage in daily to relax, recharge, and bond with their parents. It also becomes a healthy coping mechanism for negative situations and emotions in the future. So, follow this guide to make gardening a year-round activity for children, irrespective of your location and space. Anybody can garden if they truly wish to.