Kids Gardening
Whether your child wants to grow plants from fruit they are eating, like apples, oranges and dates; or they want to get right into it and have a little plot of their own, most children love to garden. Here are some quick ideas for your little gardener:
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Free plants from fruit pips:
Whenever you eat fruit, the chances are that you are throwing away the makings of a flourishing indoor or balcony garden. Why scrap the stone of a peach, date, avocado, mango or plum; or the seed of an apple, orange, date, pomogranate, or even a coffee bean, when with a little time and attention they will grow into marvelous plants?
How to grow plants from fruit pips:
The main requirement when growing plants from seeds and stones is patience. It may be 3 months or more before some kinds sprout. But once they do, the plants tend to grow quickly, as long as they are kept in a light, warm, airy place - or even outdoors in some cases.
The list of fruit that can be grown is almost endless. Apricots, nectarines, lychee, mangoes, cherries, and avocadoes all have stones that can grow. Or you might want to try the smaller seeds such as apple, orange, lemon, melons, tomatoes, marrows and pomogranate.
Nuts can also sprout into wonderful bushes and trees, as long as they aren't the salted/roasted variety. Walnut, oak, pine, chestnut, hazelnut, peanut, and almond are only a few of the options.
Pot Plants from Kitchen Scraps:
Another idea for growing interesting plants relatively quickly is to simply cut the sprouting tops off fresh carrots, beets, parsnips and other root vegetables and stand them, cut end down, in a saucer of water in full light until the roots appear. They can then be planted in soil as eye-catching foliage. Just make sure the saucer doesn't dry out.
A pineapple top will form an exotic houseplant, and may one day flower and produce fruit of its own. Slice the top off the fruit, leaving about an inch of fruit attached. Trim away the flesh to the hard, stringy part in the center. Leave it to dry for 2 or 3 days; this helps to prevent rotting. Remove the bottom leaves and plant the pineapple in a damp, sandy potting mixture in a 5 inch pot. If necessary, support with sticks, and keep it in a light, warm place that is at least 64F (18C) at night. Do not keep the potting mix too wet, but spray with water regularly. If you are lucky, it will develop roots, and can then be treated like any other houseplant.
There are plenty of other things to experiment with. Fresh beans, peas and lentils. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and ginger root. Why not start a small herb garden? Most herbs can easily be grown from seed. Just look around the kitchen and use your imagination. There are many things that will flourish on the window sill if given a chance.
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Kids' Gardening Products
Scatter Garden Seed Kits
These flower garden kits are sure to attract novice and expert gardeners alike - and flying creatures too! One of these collections of beautiful flowers will draw a variety of butterflies (left), while the other will attract those quick, elusive hummingbirds (right). Wild Flower scatter garden also available.
Child's Gardening Equipment
How can a tiny seed spring up into a beautiful flower? Children are endlessly fascinated by the miracle of growth, and with a little encouragement most kids love to garden - especially with tools that are perfectly sized for small hands.
Real Children's Garden Gloves
Just like grown-up gloves! Children love to lend a hand in garden and workshop, especially when wearing their very own work gloves. Supple, heavy-gauge suede leather protects little palms and fingers. Soft fleecy lining, sturdy cotton backing and knit wristbands provide snug fit and comfort.
Glow-In-The-Dark Garden
This Glow-in-the-Dark Dragonfly Garden Stakes' tubular bodies emit a soft green glow when the sun goes down, creating a phosphorescent copy of that bright sight for your night garden. During the day, their silver-hued metal wings shine in the sun, making the set of three stakes a delight day and night. Super-luminous Glow-in-the-Dark Pebbles (set of 100 assorted shapes) make a great complement, and are a fun way to highlight paths and plantings.
Do All Spiders Spin Webs?
Learn fascinating facts about spiders in Do All Spiders Spin Webs?, a 46-page book written in question-and-answer format and filled with detailed full-color illustrations. For ages 6 and up.
Fairy Garden Hideaway
Playtime becomes an enchanting adventure when children gather inside this magical canopy crowned with a bountiful garland of flowers and ribbons. Suspend the airy seven-foot-tall hideaway from a tree limb to create a lovely garden setting for picnics, tea parties and make-believe with fairies and friends.
Under the Sea Hideaway
Dive into a fun new play experience. Our marine-blue "underwater" hideaway simulates a whimsical sea environment - a very special place where children can play with boats, pretend to be mermaids, and launch oceans of imaginative adventures.
The gauzy hideaway is crowned with a colorful fabric "seaweed" ring from which 14 soft velour sea creatures - brightly colored fishes, starfish, and seahorses - dangle by Velcro® fastenings, ready to join in any fun.
Forest Faces
If trees could talk, they'd have faces like these! Forest Faces are a humorous addition to your yard, and will make visitors do a double take. Made of durable polyresin, each face includes eyes, nose and mouth. Three styles available. Imported.
Window Nesting Box
The whole family will get a bird's eye view as wrens or chickadees raise their young in this birdhouse. Solid pine, with a clear plastic back that lets you observe the nest inconspicuously from inside your home. Two strong suction cups hold it securely on any window.
Also available:
Flutter Butterfly |
Manny Mantis |
Webster Spider |
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