Gardening for Kids! Manchester

Spring is the busiest time of the year for gardeners. It’s also the perfect time to introduce your child to gardening - a creative and healthy activity for children of all ages.

Plant flowers

There is something magical about watching a plant grow from seed to flower. With the weather warming up, spring is the perfect time to plant seeds. Big seeds like sunflowers, nasturtiums and sweet peas are easy for little fingers to hold and plant. They are also quick to flower for impatient young gardeners!
Other colourful and easy to grow plants to try are marigolds, pansies, forget-me-nots and cornflowers. Young gardeners might find it easier to grow flowers in pots that can be moved around and brought inside to admire when they bloom!

Start a veggie patch

Home-grown veggies taste one hundred times better than supermarket food! Lettuce can be sown all year round, and plants like radish and baby carrots are fast and easy to grow. You could also try strawberries, beans and tomatoes in late spring. Prepare the ground with generous amounts of manure or compost and give your child a watering can to keep plants moist as the weather heats up.

Feed the birds

The garden birds will appreciate some food and water while the weather is still cool. Children love watching birds and you can ensure they’re in good condition when the breeding season comes around. Most garden centres stock a good selection of seeds and nuts, but avoid cereals such as wheat which attract pigeons. Make sure you stop providing seeds in the spring when natural sources of food become available again.
Early spring is also the perfect time to take a trip to your local lake and admire the ducks’ new plumage and mating displays.

Plant Shrubs

Now is the ideal time to plant shrubs and perennials – before the flower buds have formed. Do some research and buy plants that suit your garden’s conditions – not just the prettiest flowers in the shop! Pots should be full (but not crammed) with roots, and leaves should be deep green and disease-free. And try to be patient - young plants are often much cheaper, and they’ll grow up before you know it!