Some of us are lucky enough that our own parents where green fingered. They were gifted with growing big lilies, spider plants that seemed to live forever, and of course the beautiful hydrangeas in the back garden. Others of us, not so much.
But learning how to take care of plants, is a much simpler form of learning responsibility and care. And, learning to grow fruits and vegetables is a valuable skill as we are now sliding at lightning speed into a time where green space is limited, and food prices rise.
Not only that, but it’s pretty satisfying eating a bowl of veggies you’ve grown yourself.
Here are some simple tips to help you and your kiddo start growing some grub.
Don’t make the mistake of heading out to the store and buying 900 small pots, as many seed packets as you can carry and hoping for the best. The best way to start is to check the soil and introduce some nutrient-rich soil. Pretty much any gardening store will sell a bag of soil that is the perfect mix. Remove rocks and weeds for the space you want to use too.
What To Plant
Some plants are much more straightforward than others. And while some thrive growing straight from the ground, others will need a greenhouse to help them out. Greenhousestores.co.uk has a fantastic selection.
Think about what it is that you like to eat regularly. This will help you put together a great plan for what to plant going forward.
Tomatoes is a great one to start with. You can do this from seed, but around May time you are likely to find some great plants ready in garden centers – they’re still small and will need a lot of love, but a little helping hand is never a bad thing. They grow well in greenhouses, straight in the soil or on a trellis.
Strawberries are super easy too. Not only do they start with pretty white flowers, but they grow pretty rapidly. And, who doesn’t love to pick fruit fresh from the plant and tuck in? Much like tomatoes, they don’t require anything fancy, and grow will almost anywhere.
Blueberries, these can be pretty expensive in the shop, so once you have mastered growing them not only will you save a fortune, but the yield, even from a small plant is pretty substantial. Ideally, you would plant between 2 and 6 plants. 6 gives you a bumper crop, and at least 2 should be planted close to promote fertilization.
Potatoes are fabulous. There are so many varieties, and you can fill up almost any large tub, and pop an old sprouting potato in there. Hey presto – potatoes! You don’t need too much space to grow these well, and they are one of the most commonly used vegetables due to their versatility.
Kids love to take part, join in, and create. Gardening might get a little messy, and sometimes the strawberries won’t make it. But the skill learned, and the lessons will remain forever. And, so will the memory of eating their first homegrown produce.
*this was a collaborative postFollow me on social media for more!
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