Gardening with Kids: Top 10 Plants

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

-Audrey Hepburn

I don’t know about ya’ll but we have been LIVING outside the last 4 weeks as the weather has warmed up and it feels like we’ve been in quarantine for 13 years. It is a balm to my soul to dig in the dirt, soak up the Vitamin D and breath deeply of fresh high desert air. Not to mention, I can’t see the dishes stacked in the sink or the laundry piled 12 miles high when we are happily playing in the backyard (disclaimer: my husband Stephen actually does our laundry, religiously, every Monday. Folded and put away. I mean. Thank you MIL Linda, I bow at your feet).

Taking the kids outside, literally anywhere outside, is like giving them little red magic pills of happiness. As soon as we walk out the patio door, the whining disappears, the incessant asking for snacks, the race to unroll the toilet paper the fastest, the begging for screen time – all of it! All of a sudden, we are in a whole new world where anything is possible.

On top of that, playing outside, and particularly gardening, brings a whole host of benefits:

• Vitamin D. Strengthened immunity is just one benefit of getting adequate Vitamin D. It can also assist with hormone health, inflammation, calcium levels and so much more.
• Soil-Based Organisms (SBO’s). SBO’s are microorganisms found in soil that provide beneficial bacteria, again contributing to immune health.
• Connecting Food to the Source. Wait mom, food doesn’t just magically appear on the shelf at Trader Joe’s out of nowhere??? Helping our kids better understand where our food comes from is beneficial in so many ways.
• Energy. There is no better place to burn off all that excess toddler energy than outside, and increase the chances of that afternoon nap!
• Creativity: A little plot of dirt is a canvas just waiting for someone to come along and put their stamp on it, to bring it to life. It’s a place to try new things, test ideas and throw caution to the wind.

Gardening can sometimes feel complicated but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t worry about following all the rules! Here are some ideas for plants that are both fun and easy for kids.

1. SUNFLOWERS. For big impact that provides bright color, tall plants (up to 15 feet!) and something yummy to snack on, you can’t beat sunflowers. You can start seeds inside or plant directly in the soil outside once the danger of frost has passed. It’s fun to plant in a row and watch the birds eat the seeds.

2. SNAPDRAGONS. Or as 3 year old Emmett calls them….dragons. Snapdragons come in super fun, bright colors and are super easy to grow. They often come back from year to year. When gently squeezed, the flower heads “snap” open, revealing the dragon’s mouth. So fun.

3. PUMPKINS. Another easy one to grow, pumpkin plants providing a BIG return on investment. They provide prolific vines and big orange pumpkins that are always a hit with the kiddos.

4. CORN. Corn is fun because it grows tall and the kids can run between rows. They will love to eat the fresh sweet corn right off the stalk!

5. CHERRY TOMATOES. We buy cherry tomato starts from Costco every year and they do really well here in Reno. We stake them up and water regularly and for that small amount of effort, they reward us with many handfuls of sweet tomatoes. They are at the perfect height for the kids to pick and they eat them like candy. Try yellow pear tomatoes for a fun twist and they are a little less acidic than red cherry.

6. CATMINT. Catmint grows easily in just about any environment and doesn’t require much attention. This perennial attracts butterflies which the kids love to watch. It does spread easily so plant in a pot if you are concerned about that (as with all mint varieties!).

7. NASTURTIUMS These beautiful flowers come in shades of red, orange and coral and they are EDIBLE! You can sneak a few flowers onto a salad for a big punch of color and surprise.

8. STRAWBERRIES I mean, what is better than a garden fresh sun ripened strawberry picked in the warm June sun? This is the way to get your kids hooked on gardening! Plus strawberries can be grown as perennials and bring back the berry love each year (perennials being one of my top tips for lazy gardening).

9. SCARLETT RUNNER POLE BEANS These all around winners are easy to grow, provide bright and beautiful flowers, attract butterflies and hummingbirds…..and delicious edible beans as a bonus!

10. KALE This is actually my 12 year old Gunnarr’s pick. He grew kale last year to feed his bearded dragon (“DB”, short for Diamondback). He grew it from starts and did a great job keeping it watered all summer. Kale is a great cold weather crop too, extending the season into the fall. It actually tastes better after a few frosts.

So there you have it! Tell us your success stories (or not-so-successful stories) with your backyard adventures gardening with kiddos!

Let them get in touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life.

Charlotte Mason