Sometimes it takes the enthusiasm of children to get a project going, around here. So true of our seed planting this year. They have been desperate to have their own plots and start sowing the seeds.
I spotted a children’s gardening project from one of my very favourite bloggers NoBigDill. She had found 6 trough planters hidden in their new garden, sprayed them bright colours, and each of her 6 children was given one. They then could choose what to grow.
I loved this idea. Each child taking responsibility for a trough. A little garden of their own. A manageable size. Not too big that it becomes a chore. Not too small that it produces next to nothing. Positioned somewhere that they passed each day. Something to encourage their interest.
After a quick check in the potting shed for suitable containers, we headed off to the garden centre. It was quite fun figuring out which seeds would work in the troughs. Nothing that would grow too tall, but still something each of them wanted to grow.
On the way home, they used the seed packets as trump cards, comparing heights, number of seeds and price.
Then the planting began. Eldest went for edible pansies, dwarf sweetpeas, love in the mist. Middle chose carrots and poached egg plant. Youngest was determined to have chillies, peppers and marigolds. They hope to swap some of the seedlings among themselves. (some for me too, I hope) Can’t help thinking that it will make the most amazing meal, if all the edible plants are ready at the same time. A masterpiece in colour!
It tickled me that Middle is already planning her succession planting scheme. Next carrot sowing is marked on the calendar.
This project fits in perfectly with my scaled back kitchen garden this year. It’s also encouraged me to get going. My homemade propagators are doing well.
Already the marigolds are up, as they were started on a kitchen windowsill. Each morning and night, youngest gave them encouraging words, or a simple goodnight. It certainly worked.
I’m linking up for the first time in ages with Fiona’s #CountryKids linky. Hopping over later to catch with all the outdoor fun.
I am all for containers, and keeping it manageable. I love this idea of a trough each, we have big plans for planting seeds this weekend, so might just borrow this – thanks!
Borrow away. I borrowed it too!
Last year my husband and little T planted sweet peas, we’ll be away the whole summer this year, so we haven’t done any planting. Love it when kids are into gardening 🙂
Love sweet peas. I wonder if any of yours will self seed from last year, and greet you when you return.
So sweet! I love the idea of kids talking to plants. My mother loved gardening and though we dont have space at home at all she would get those old paint containers (and nay cans at all) and put some soil and throw in some seeds and we got from our cooking. And then in so many months we would get out food from those cans. But the best thing is that we talk to the plants. We say thank you and stories on how we ate the veggies and fruits. #countrykids
What a lovely memory. I like that your mother didn’t let he lack of space stop her growing her own. I can just picture it. Talking, and thanking, plants is a good route to take.
This is a lovely idea, a trough for each of them. I’ve a little raised bed that I’ve said the kids can have as their own garden. My 5yo has lovingly planted seeds in there and keeps checking on them, my 2yo uses his space for digging!
Sounds just like my son at that age. Maybe even now. Bare patch of earth is just waiting to be dug. 🙂
A planter each is a great idea, there can be real ownership for their work this way. Starting them on the window still to kick start them is a good idea, the children can see results quickly this way. It sounds like Middle is already hooked on the planting process, I hope they all grow well for the children. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.