Gardening with Children
Passing Down Skills and Playing in the Dirt
by Anna Levy
Since becoming a parent, I am often struck by the number of things I still have left to learn in life. One of those things is a somewhat secret shame in this particular geographic region: despite my appreciation for good, homegrown food, and although I’ve worked on farms on both sides of this continent, the truth is that I know virtually nothing about gardening.
Luckily, Mendocino County is home both to a climate hospitable to many crops, as well as casual experts who have a deep sense of how to cultivate them. Thus, when I decided it was time to teach my child something about where our food comes from, I turned to a few of my friends, all of whom are teachers, well-versed in guiding others. I found their words to be both inspirational and educational. As the days stretch deliciously into summer, I thought it might be helpful for others to read what they had to say. So here’s to everyone planting gardens this year, including those of us—ahem—who are doing so for the very first time.
John Moran: The first person whom I gardened with, or learned about gardening from, was my paternal grandmother, Eileen Moran. She taught me the names of many flowers when I was just a little guy. Now I garden with anyone willing: friends who need help, my class of students, and my own children. I personally grow food crops, ornamentals, succulents, native plants, fruit trees, and basically anything that has half a chance of surviving here that I am interested in.
My main rule in the garden is to respect all life. Even a handful of soil has millions of microorganisms in it, all of which are important and worthy of our respect and reverence. “Weeds” are just something that you don’t want in your garden; it doesn’t mean the plant has done anything wrong in striving to grow. Many “weeds” are revered in their native habitat, are edible, or at least provide a historical lesson about how plants travel all over the world with colonizers and beyond, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Gardening can teach children and adults almost anything and nearly everything. I am probably more fascinated by natural history, origin stories, ethnobotany, and essentially that our relationship with plants is one of the main tenets of our existence. Perhaps even more profound is what plants can teach you about yourself, not only through the meditative nature of gardening but also in learning how so many different beings survive, and have been and can be role models for humans to live a balanced life.
It’s always good to start with something you will actually want to have around, whether it is beautiful flowers or food that the children eat. Kids are far more likely to try something new if they have been involved in the process of growing it. Include them in the entire process from preparing beds, to selecting desirable crops, to planting seeds or starts, to checking on plants for pests or damage and, of course, making sure they have a chance to harvest what they’ve planted. Connecting kids and adults with our food systems is one of the many ways we can change the world for the better. Much of gardening is trial and error, and the errors—as always—are more instructive than the successes.
Amanda Martin: When I was young, I was forced to garden; it wasn’t an option. There were parts I loved, like digging up potatoes, but it felt like a chore as a kid. Yet as soon as I moved away, I had this urge to get back to the garden, and I just could never not do it again.
Now, the garden at school [the Albion School, where Amanda teaches] is probably 1500 square feet. We’ve got apple trees, peas, potatoes, lots of flowers, raspberries, Albion strawberries which are big and juicy and wonderful, kale and spinach, herbs, and onions. The kids have a fairy garden that they’re really into, and that’s one of the recommendations I have for someone starting out with kids: give them a designated area, let them do whatever they want in there. They’ll find what they love.
This year, they’ve decided it’s really fun to go in and spread woodchips in there, so we’ll do that. They love to water, they love to feel like it’s important. They’re nurturing something; they have a bit of responsibility. My kids are really respectful about not stepping on things or digging things up, and they ask before they can pick flowers.
We have a little scientific journal we keep, where we draw pictures of what’s growing. We watch the weather and use fractions with the rain gauge. We don’t always go in there with specific lessons. But it’s their spot to learn about themselves, healthy eating, and taking care of the earth.
Lora Barnett-Tuomala: My mother was always in her garden; we spent most days there with her. We also spent a lot of time at my neighbors’ house, and they spent most days in their garden as well. It was the way of life: we played, had secret forts, ate, ran through sprinklers, and gardened. It was magical, but as a kid it just seemed normal.
Now I garden with my daughter and son. My garden is more utilitarian, a fence around 15 rows, so they love to play in the yard and come to the garden when it is time to water (their favorite). They also love planting and harvesting.
Kids naturally respect nature. They are fascinated by it. They want to see things grow. They will make mistakes, but your job is to encourage them and support them. Remember why you want to share this with them and don’t lose track of that along the way. Kids will plant things unevenly and they will over-water and they will want to eat right from the plant. Let them, so that they learn to love the space. It can teach them patience, kindness, a joy of the unexpected, perseverance, respect for Mother Nature, connection to family and friends.
An apple tree is an amazing addition to any home. Picking apples, canning applesauce, making dried apples—you feel so successful, kids can participate in every step, and it is very little work. On the coast, broccoli is awesome, easy to grow, and bountiful, and the same for kale. Also strawberries—they’re a little bit harder, but nothing brings a kid to a garden faster than a ripe strawberry.
If you’re going to have a garden, learn how to process, can, or freeze your food. Talk to your friends; they have great advice, and everyone does it differently. Don’t stress out. If kids are having fun in the garden, that is the success. Plants come second in the beginning.