My grandchildren do fun things like digging up potatoes, picking beans/ peas/ raspberries and small bunches of flowers. My own children didn't start gardening until they got garden envy from us and their neighbours. They are all now keen gardeners.
I think you can encourage your children, but as in all things, whether you can "make" them is another matter ! The little boy across the road from me (4 years old), goes out in the front garden with his Mum, sows seeds, waters them with his little watering can, helps her top up the bird feeders etc. Whether he'll grow up to be the next Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don we'll have to wait and see, but at least he has made a start. It could be that as life gets in the way, he won't pick up a watering can for years and then one day rediscover a love for gardening. I would say all you can do is show them the love you have for gardening and hope that they follow your example
I have a 13 year old and he's always been an outdoor type. I love gardening, although not an expert at all. He has tended to watch and comment on what I've done over the years, often planted his own seeds and tended his own bit or helped me do particular things. Always excited to harvest the crops. With lockdown this year he did more than normal which was good to see. However, I've noticed now he's getting that bit older he prefers to do do stuff with machines, he strims, cuts hedges and cuts the grass on the ride on mower now, uses the leaf blower to clean up. Also he has been cutting lawns for 'his old ladies' as he calls them and getting paid - that has certainly encouraged him although he is very conscientious about cutting it properly. He makes me laugh out loud sometimes as we're driving along, if he sees a beautifully mowed garden he comments on it, if fact has found a house he would like me to buy because it has the perfect lawn.
I think it's about awakening their curiosity, not forcing the issue and being encouraging.
Good luck.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Ultimately, they will all make their own choices. By all means open up as many avenues as possible, but you should never expect a child to share your own passions. Allow them to find their own.
I did spend time when mine were little exposing them to the idea of planting stuff that then grows into something edible or beautiful but, ultimately, they much preferred doing handstands on the lawn and both disliked getting their hands soiled (even with gloves on!). They also inherited (from the OH) a startling fear of virtually all insects. I don't think either will become keen gardeners at any point but will end up with gardens to be proud of. Whether that is via muggins here, their eventual partners or paid help, their strong concerns for the environment will be a big factor. Even if they lack the knowledge and passion of you good folk on here.
Never did anything in the garden with our 5, yet all of them are into gardening, even second son who has a tiny tiny area. They all enjoy being outdoors too, but that is definitely something we did with them.
The most important thing is for you to have fun gardening and show that you’re enjoying it ... there’s nothing that children want to join in doing as much as having fun 🤩 If if looks like a chore why would they want to do it?
The photos show my former apprentice gardener ... now she earns her living ftom gardening and posts regularly on here ... don't you @WonkyWomble? 😉
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Very true @Dovefromabove! Not only that, one of my customers is a children's nursery. We have a wildlife garden full of flowers that the kids have been involved in choosing and planting. Today they showed me bookmarks they had made with pressed marigolds they had grown themselves. Next year they want to harvest their lavender and make lavender bags for their parents. Encouragement and attention is all you need to provide! 😀
I would add that I don’t think I’ve been successful at making either of my children do anything since I was able to stick one under my arm and run after and catch the other ... that was a very long time ago 🤣
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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Whether he'll grow up to be the next Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don we'll have to wait and see, but at least he has made a start.
It could be that as life gets in the way, he won't pick up a watering can for years and then one day rediscover a love for gardening. I would say all you can do is show them the love you have for gardening and hope that they follow your example
I think it's about awakening their curiosity, not forcing the issue and being encouraging.
Good luck.
I did spend time when mine were little exposing them to the idea of planting stuff that then grows into something edible or beautiful but, ultimately, they much preferred doing handstands on the lawn and both disliked getting their hands soiled (even with gloves on!). They also inherited (from the OH) a startling fear of virtually all insects. I don't think either will become keen gardeners at any point but will end up with gardens to be proud of. Whether that is via muggins here, their eventual partners or paid help, their strong concerns for the environment will be a big factor. Even if they lack the knowledge and passion of you good folk on here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDdLuEY6jN6gY&v=dLuEY6jN6gY&feature=emb_rel_end
If if looks like a chore why would they want to do it?
The photos show my former apprentice gardener ... now she earns her living ftom gardening and posts regularly on here ... don't you @WonkyWomble? 😉
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I would add that I don’t think I’ve been successful at making either of my children do anything since I was able to stick one under my arm and run after and catch the other ... that was a very long time ago 🤣
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.