Children do not mind getting dirty when spending time outside. Planting seeds with your child is a great way to spend quality time together. You can teach her how plants grow and why it is important to protect the environment. If you plant edible plants such as broccoli or spinach, you will give her the opportunity to taste the fruits of her labor. Giving your child the knowledge and love of the outdoors is a gift she will never forget.
Step 1
Decide what seeds to plant with your child. Sunflowers are a good choice if you have enough space. Plant easy to grow plants like radishes, cucumbers and squash. These plants are hearty and grow well in most areas of the country.
Pumpkin seeds are fun to plant but require a large garden area. Cherry tomatoes, green peppers and herbs can be planted in either the ground or in containers. Use a strawberry pot to plant strawberry seeds. Bring your child to the gardening store with you to purchase the seeds, potting soil and fertilizer.
Step 2
Gather your tools, seeds, fertilizer, aprons and row markers and head outside. Give your child his own row or pot. If you do not have the space to plant a garden in the ground, plant a container garden.
Give your child a bag of potting soil or show him the area of the garden reserved for his seeds. Have him spoon the potting soil into the pots or break up the soil using an appropriate sized trowel. Add organic fertilizer if needed.
Step 3
Prepare to plant by marking the containers and rows. If planting a row garden, mark your child's row by putting a stake at either end of the row. Tie a piece of string or twine to both stakes to help her plant in straight lines. If container gardening, label each container with the type of seed you will be planting before putting the seeds in the dirt.
Step 4
Read the back of the seed packet to determine how far apart and how deep each seed should be placed. Teach your child to use his fingers to plant the seeds the correct depth. The University of Illinois recommends bringing a ruler to your planting session.
Measure your child's finger from the tip to the first and second joint. Also, measure the length of his index finger. Record the measurements and let him use his fingers as guides for how deep to plant each seed.
If for example his finger is one inch to the second joint from the tip, ask him to stick his finger into the ground up to the second joint, drop a seed that requires a planting depth of one inch into the hole and gently cover the seed with soil.
Step 5
Check that your child has put dirt over all the seeds she planted. Get a watering can and fill it with water. Let your child water the newly planted seeds.
Explain to her that water, sunlight and nutrients from the soil are necessary for a plant to develop from a seed to a seedling. Tell your child that she will need to water the plants regularly in order to see the plants grow tall and produce vegetables or flowers. Ask your child to help you clean up your gardening area.
Tips and Warnings
- Write the name of the vegetable or flower on a plastic spoon and use the spoon as a row marker. Grow a vegetable you have never eaten before. Teach your child to wash her hands after working in the garden. Buy a small watering can and let your child water the seeds when necessary.
- Teach your child how to identify poisonous plants.
Things You'll Need
- Seeds
- Strawberry pot
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer
- Garden tools
- Apron
- Row Marker
- Container
- Stake
- String
- Ruler
- Watering can
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