Families For Life | Seed family fun with a home garden

Taking care of plants sounds easy, but there’s a lot more that grows underneath the surface (pun intended). Those opportunities presented in home gardening make for great life lessons for kids, and for families to build a shared goal that fits into any home.

If you’re looking for a family hobby that brings everyone together while being screen-free, read on for the benefits of gardening and how to get started at home!

How gardening benefits your kids

Gardening has many benefits for young children, such as:

An appreciation for nature and where food comes from

Being able to observe herbs, veggies and flowers closely allows your kids to learn more about them in more detail. They also get to understand the effort needed for their favourite veggies and flowers to reach them at home.

Teaches responsibility

Your kids will be motivated to make sure their plants grow well, from ensuring the plants are watered daily, trimming dead leaves and getting rid of pests.

Instils self-confidence and a sense of achievement

Your kids build their self-confidence from seeing the plant they worked hard to grow eventually bear fruit. It also gives them a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Practising social and intellectual skills

Working together to grow delicious greens is a great opportunity for your kids to learn how to work as a team, follow directions, and apply what they learn in Science class to real life.

Offer physical activity

From plucking dead leaves, scattering seeds and covering them with soil, gardening gets your kids up and moving!

Considerations before starting a garden

Before you start ordering seeds and equipment, it’s important to make sure you and your kids are ready for the big, great task of starting a garden ahead. Take time to reflect and discuss with your kids about the following:

  • Space and location

    Pots, shovels, watering cans, bags of soil and seeds take up lots of space. Make sure you have a dedicated space for your garden where you can store your equipment, while ensuring your plants get enough sun and warmth to grow well! If a garden inside is not feasible, you may consider setting up in the common corridors, but remember to adhere to NParks’ Good Corridor Gardening Practices!

  • Time

    While some vegetables grow quickly, others, such as herbs or flowers, can take weeks. It’s important to do your research and choose the right plant so your family’s schedule can handle upkeep, while keeping your kids engaged without too long a wait.

  • Responsibility

    Tending to a garden requires lots of energy and commitment from your kids. It also falls onto you to remind your kids to tend to their garden, so their hard work does not wilt overnight! Set a realistic maintenance schedule to keep the garden enjoyable, not overwhelming.

Kid-friendly greens to plant

If your kids are ready to put their green thumbs forward, here are our recommendations to get started on your garden:

  • Microgreens

    Baby bok choy, broccoli, and mustard greens germinate quickly and grow fully within a week or two. Plus, these veggies are packed with nutrients and health-boosting vitamins, perfect to add to family meals.

  • Cherry tomatoes

    These fruits are resistant to hot and humid climates, making them great plants to grow indoors. Plus, they grow up to 70cm and fit into small spaces like under a windowsill.

  • Cucumbers

    All you need is a cucumber from your grocery haul to grow its seeds at home. Make sure to wash out pulp clinging to the edges, as these might hinder healthy growth.

  • Chinese spinach

    This “low-maintenance” crop continues to thrive even after harvesting. Make sure to cut leaves from mature plants, leaving some behind to keep your garden growing.

  • Sunflowers

    Add a splash of colour to your garden by growing some sunflowers on the side. They grow fairly quickly and will put a smile on anyone’s face when they bloom!

  • Planting more than edible greens

    Starting a garden together creates shared habits, a chance to learn core life skills, and opportunities to bond as a family. Plus, there’s something magical about caring for and growing something you and your kids can call your own. Let this be your calling to seed a new hobby in your kids and grow lasting memories (and delicious goodies) together!

References

https://www.sassymamasg.com/play-gardening-kids-planters/

https://honeykidsasia.com/urban-gardening-in-singapore-with-kids/

https://familiesforlife.sg/pages/Activity/Gardening-With-Kids

https://kidsgardening.org/why-garden-with-kids/

https://thesmartlocal.com/read/fruits-vegetables-to-grow-in-singapore/