There are great options for gardening with kids if you do not have a garden, in order to still reap the benefits of all the learning, fun, and kindergarten readiness. Just a quick search on Pinterest for container gardens will astonish you. Plastic water bottles, gutter troughs, tin cans, and even cloth purses and shoe holders, can all hold miniature gardens. While there are Lego and Duplo garden sets, and 2 characters called Poison Ivy and Harry Potter, it wouldn’t be surprising to see pictures of plant containers made with the blocks, at least temporarily. Crates, old suitcases, boats, and tubs can also be recycled as small gardens. There’s an antique truck in front of a nursery locally that blooms with flowers instead of an engine. Having a garden with kids does not need a yard or even a balcony!
The easiest way to garden though is with a terrarium. Again, plastic water and soda bottles, old aquariums, and jars will work. There’s tons or resources online for making a terrarium. Basically, layer pebbles in the bottom, sprinkle some activated charcoal to filter the water, cover with dry moss to keep the dirt from sifting down, and add the soil. Some living moss on top makes it nice and green. Kids can help with all of these steps and either add seeds or some small plants and decorations.
Barb McMahon from Sprouting Chefs (who was a guest this week on Learn and Play with Mrs. A radio show) sent me this picture of a terrarium. It has been watered only once in over 40 years! Below is a video that shows the steps for creating a terrarium in an old cookie jar. Earthworm terrariums are another alternative. With all the options for container gardens and terrariums, kids can have a garden anywhere. What kind of garden is a possibility for your child?