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The joy of gardening comes from watching seeds sprout, shoots uncurl, flowers blossom and fruits to ripen. The best way to make a garden a family project is to give everyone their own voice in what is grown and nurtured.

Tips for Toddler Help in the Garden

Toddlers do not have a long attention span, but they like to please. They are also very possessive of things they grab onto. Make sure toddlers have their own tools, rather than sharp ones mom and dad use. Provide tasks that appeal to toddlers, carrying buckets, dumping weeds and digging in dirt. Let the toddler decide how messy they get, if their tendencies are encourages they will love the garden.

Warning: beware toddlers playing around newly fertilized grass and plants since they like to taste. Parents using dangerous tools: lawn mowers that throw rocks, weedeaters with their edge, axes that can hurt, should warn toddler age children about the rules.

Tips for School Age Children

Give a school age child their own garden to plant. Annuals have the advantage of showing the entire cycle of growth and are pleasing because of their rampant growth. Allow school age children supervised use of any tool they show interest in, showing them proper use and warning of any dangers.

To keep school age children interested, limit time in the garden to their increased but still limited attention span. Allow them tasks such as raking leaves that has a fun side and uses less dangerous tools.

Tips for Teenagers

Teenagers learn the language of commerce and are best motivated by money and honors. If your teenager can participate in a local 4-H, garden club or other event where they judge flower arrangements, canning, vegetable size, bloom health, their interest for taking part in the family garden will be enhanced.

Tips for Parents

Children like to run. They like secrets and hidden spots. They like to sunbathe and run through the sprinkler. Most children like to play with water. Keep your children and teenagers interests in mind when planning your garden. Provide adequate lawn. In winter, let them look through the garden catalogs and choose a bulb or plant they'd like to grow. Teach important rules about planting depth, planting season, water usage along with expecting yard work like trimming and weeding.

A family garden will be fun for everyone in the family if everyone helps with every stage from seed planting, plant selection, mulching, trimming, mowing, watering and cutting flowers. Enjoy your garden and you'll have many fond memories to share in later life.

Learn more about this author, Sheri Fresonke Harper.
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