Container Gardening

June 12th, 2008

Now that the spring rush is over, your nearest nursery has more than likely reduced the prices of their flowers and other plants. If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to let your kids get their hands dirty and make a container garden. It’s an easy way to introduce your child to the fun and rewarding process of gardening and Nature For Kids.

At The Nursery: Choose flowers or vegetables that are already established and ready to be transplanted into your container. Seeds are a little too late to get started now. Try to choose plants that are just preparing to bud out. That way you’ll have the blooming to still look forward too. But we can’t be too picky…it is the middle of June.

Preparing The Container: Find a container with holes in the bottom or sides to allow drainage. This can be anything from a pot bought at a store or an old rusty wheelbarrow found behind the barn. Terra cotta pots are inexpensive and a clean slate for your budding artist. Get out the paints and let your child create a one of a kind container.

Now that you’ve found the container you’ll be using, place a layer of large rocks or gravel, filling the container about 1/4 full. This will be sure to allow proper drainage and save on potting soil. Next dump the potting soil into the container to fill it about 3/4 of the way. This will leave enough room for our plants. Stir up and mix the soil allowing it to soften and aerate a bit. Prepare two-inch holes where you want your plants to be placed.

Transplanting The Plants: Carefully grab the plants (more than likely they’ll be individually set in plastic cubicles). With your fingers squish the plastic base with your fingers. This will loosen up the plant and allow you to pull it out of the plastic easily. After your plant is out gently loosen the roots of the plant without knocking off too much dirt. Place the plant in the hole you dug earlier. Press the dirt firmly around the plant. The dirt should be level with the base of the stem. Place in a sunny spot. To give your plants a boost, feed them a little Miracle Grow or aged chicken manure.

It’s amazing the ownership and responsibility kids will take on after going through this process of picking, planting, and watering. It’s something for them to be very proud of and see quick results for their efforts.

Email us a picture of your container garden at shawna@natureforkids.net!