White County
 Gardening
Podcast
April 21, 2008
Kids in the Garden (2:00 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
Hi this is Sherri Sanders with the White County Cooperative Extension Service
in Searcy. Getting children involved in gardening is an excellent way to share
quality time with them. You also have an opportunity to teach some basic botany
and to instill a respect for nature and the environment.
The key to holding children's interest is to make the activity fun and
rewarding. Because children are anxious to see the results of their labor, plant
fast‑germinating seeds or work with transplants that are quick to flower or set
fruit. Here are some ideas to make gardening fun and fruitful for children.
Make it tasty. Growing something a child can eat and also serve to
grown‑ups creates special pride. Set aside a small plot ‑‑ a 4x4 patch is ample
space ‑‑ for growing vegetables, fruits, or herbs for teas.
Make it easy. Leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, green beans,
and cherry tomatoes are easy to grow and can be harvested in a few weeks.
Strawberries are easy and fun to grow, and the flavor of the ripe berry is
sweet.
Tap their creativity. Mark the rows in a child's garden with colorful
drawings of the crop. Tape the drawing to a stake and protect it from the
elements with a plastic bag.
Feed the senses. Children love pretty flowers, especially if they smell
good and are brightly colored.
Grow some drama. Children are fascinated with flamboyancy. They love
plants that are huge and tower over their heads. Showy flowers include hibiscus,
sunflowers, hybrid clematis, hybrid iris, dahlias, and oriental lilies.
Find the lessons. Teach your child that a garden must be nurtured and
cared for if it is to flourish. As an adult, you should teach what needs to be
done and help with the gardening chores, but allow your child to shoulder
responsibility for his or her own plot.
Take advantage of gardening information available at our local County
Extension Service office. This has been Sherri Sanders with the White County
Cooperative Extension Service.
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