Planting Seeds of Responsibility: Easy Container Gardening for All Ages

By: Melissa Copp R.D.,L.D.

Container gardening can be a simple and fun activity for the whole family! It can allow kids of all ages to participate in growing their own produce while learning responsibility and independence!

Getting Started

• It’s easy to get started, and unlike a regular garden, it can take up very little space.
• First, take time with your child to choose which plants you would like to try growing.
• Then, decide if it’s better for you to pick out seeds together or purchase ready-to-plant seedlings.
• Depending on your child’s age, it could be a great learning experience to use seeds from food scraps and grow your own seedlings. Be sure to consider that seeds will take longer to grow than the ready-to-go plants.
• Older children can help research what type of containers and plants would be best for your family.
  Younger children may enjoy decorating the containers!

What to Grow

• Plants that tend to thrive in containers and require minimal care are:
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Peppers
• Beans
• Herbs like basil, parsley, and mint

Using Food Scraps

• If you choose to start your garden using food scraps, use the experience as a fun teaching opportunity in being self-sufficient and reducing waste. It can be very exciting for children to observe a plant grow from something that would usually be tossed in the trash.
• Many of your kitchen scraps can be set in water to allow roots to grow. Once it has formed a good root system, you can plant it in a container with soil. Green onions, celery, and lettuce are among the easiest foods to regrow from scraps.

Choosing Containers

The type of containers you choose can depend on:

• What you are growing
• How heavy the plant will be or how long you plan to let it grow before transferring it to a larger container
• How much room is available to get started
• Nearly any container can be transformed into a container that suits your needs.
• Many plants, including tomatoes, can be grown in a 5-gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage.
• Potatoes can even be grown in a trash bag full of soil.
• If you have limited space, you may want to consider using hanging containers on a balcony or patio.
• If you don’t have any outdoor space for containers, try small containers for an indoor herb garden on a windowsill.

Tip: Choosing containers in spaces that children can easily access will be important to maintain their independence and involvement.

Let the Kids Take the Lead

• Allow kids to be responsible for watering and caring for the plants. When your plants are ready, allow the children to harvest the fruits and vegetables they have grown. Have children be involved in the washing and storing of the produce.
• Seeing the fruits of their labor will give them a sense of accomplishment and teach them that hard work pays off! Growing your own produce can also provide an opportunity for you and your child to look up new recipes and cook together!

Resource

For more ideas and tips, check out this beginner’s container gardening guide:
👉 Better Homes & Gardens: Container Gardening for Beginners
 

Melissa Copp, R.D.,L.D.
melissa@crechemanhattan.com