Written by Courtney Nugent, Colorado Master Gardener Apprentice

Introducing gardening to children can begin with simple steps, such as exploring through pictures and stories. Two of my favorite books for younger kids are Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert (1), and Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens. For older children I suggest Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner. Check them out of the Rawlings Library when you attend the next All Pueblo Grows class (2)! Start their plant journey by growing a single seed in a jar or microgreens on your window sill. This will allow your child to observe the small changes to the plant as it grows. Once a child sees the magic of a seed growing into something edible, they will be eager to put in the effort required in a garden.

When introducing kids to gardening, it’s important to begin with manageable projects that are age-appropriate. Start with easy-to-grow plants like sunflowers, tomatoes, or herbs. These plants are resilient and quick to grow, which provides instant gratification and motivates kids to continue tending to them. To enhance their experience outfit children with child-sized tools like a small trowel and watering can.

Gardening is a fantastic hands-on learning experience that engages all the senses. Gardeners know know that soil makes them happy, and there is ongoing research demonstrating that microorganisms in the dirt protect humans from anxiety and depression (3). Allow kids to get their hands dirty by digging, planting, and watering. These activities not only promote fun but also offer them a serotonin boost – no device required! Incorporating games into gardening can make it more exciting. Challenge them to grow the tallest sunflower or design a garden layout. You could create themed gardens such as a rainbow garden (with plants in every color), a salad garden (featuring lettuce, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers), or a salsa garden (featuring tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, and peppers) (4). Once kids gain some gardening experience, let them take ownership by giving them their own dedicated garden space. Let them oversee the entire process, from planning to planting and maintaining. As they witness the fruits of their labor, whether it’s a blooming flower or a ripe tomato, they’ll experience a sense of accomplishment and independence.

If your child does not take to gardening there are still many ways to include them and be sure they are represented in the yard and garden. If your child is artistic, have them paint rocks or signs for the various crops and plants. If they are more inclined toward cooking, show them how to prepare meals using the bounty from the garden. For kids interested in insects, guide them to explore entomology by observing the various arthropods in the soil. If your child is an aspiring scientist, use an old cup or small bowl and toss in a couple of tablespoons of your soil, then add a splash of white vinegar. They’ll delight at seeing the free lime present in our soils mix with the vinegar to create fizz! There is a connection to the garden for all children, no matter their interests. If your child gets hooked on gardening and wants to dive deeper into this journey make sure you consult resources provided by Colorado State University-Extension.

This article is filled with age-appropriate ideas to keep children engaged and through 4-H children can find fellow gardeners their own age:

https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/inspiring-children-in-the-garden/

https://co4h.colostate.edu/projects/pages/Gardening-PT.pdf

References and resources:

• https://extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/January-2022-English-003.pdf
• https://www.allpueblogrows.org/events
• Lowry CA, et al., Identification of an immune-responsive mesolimbocortical serotonergic system: Potential role in regulation of emotional behavior, Neuroscience (2007).
• https://kidsgardening.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gardening-with-Kids-Basics-Toolkit.pdf