-
Limit
use of chemical weed killers. Either remove weeds with
a hoe or lay down landscape cloth, which will allow water
and oxygen into your soil but prevent weeds from popping
through.
-
Limit
use of any material that can cause splinters. For example,
choose plastic supports for tomatoes, rather than wood.
-
If
you’re creating a raised bed, round the edges.
-
Use
slow-release fertilizer pellets, so the fertilizer won’t
burn the children (or your plants).
-
Any
manure used should be sterilized. We like a mix of soil
with compost and sterilized manure.
-
Accommodate
children’s abbreviated attention spans by building
your garden near their other outdoor activities.
-
Plant
pick-and-eat vegetables, such as cherry or grape tomatoes,
beans and peas. Children love to eat their crops immediately.
-
Separate
the garden into manageable plots for children, and –
if there is more than one little green thumb – clearly
mark off each child’s working space to provide a
sense of ownership.
-
Make
sure you have a water source close to the garden, so that
children can obtain water easily and in manageable quantities.
-
Add
some colorful flowers to your vegetable garden. It’s
hard for children to wait until vegetables are ready to
harvest; the flowers can provide a more immediate sense
of accomplishment.
