Kids and parents people are gardening now more than ever.
- 82% of people with children in their household participated in at least one gardening activity in 2020
- 45% did flower gardening
- 38% did vegetable gardening
Which is why KidsGardening, the leader in youth gardening education since 1982, has launched a new virtual platform to connect you with the skills, tools, and resources to inspire kids to get their hands dirty. The online platform is freely available to anyone involved in youth garden programming.
I had a chance to interview Em Shipman, director of KidsGardening, about how they are taking the guess work out of making an impact right in your own backyard.
Why was this platform launched?
For years, KidsGardening has heard from parents and educators that they want to connect with each other to share ideas, resources, and best practices for gardening with youth. Given the soaring interest in gardening during the pandemic, it’s a great time to launch the new Kids Garden Community.
The mission of this platform is to connect educators, parents, and community members with the skills, tools, and resources to inspire kids in the garden. The Community strives to bring together like-minded individuals, build connections, and create shareable resources. This free resource is available to anyone looking to empower their communities with youth garden programming. The Kids Garden Community is a place to collaborate, share ideas and advice on how to apply for grants, recommend curriculum for specific ages, and much more.
Why is it so important to get kids involved in gardening, whether it's for flowers or vegetables?
Gardens create hands-on learning and playing spaces that connect kids with food, nature, the environment, and so much more. When kids learn through the garden, they feed their senses and get the physical activity they need to feel happy and calm. This emotional regulation allows them to be better learners and build positive associations with nature that will lead them to make better decisions for themselves and for the environment as they grow older. By sparking their curiosity at young ages, we can inspire them to appreciate the natural world around them.
What are some ways that families can ease into starting a home garden if they've never done it before?
A great way to ease into gardening is to start small. There is plenty that can be enjoyed and observed even in a small-scale garden, and container gardening is a great way to start. Grab a 5-gallon bucket or other container and poke holes in the bottom for drainage. Add potting soil and you're ready to plant a mini garden!
Let kids choose plants. Guide them toward easy-to-grow selections for success but let them make the final decisions so it's truly their garden!
Create garden spaces for play. Sunflower houses, bean forts, reading chairs ... kids will feel right at home in a green living space that's just their size.
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