Gardening with Children

Once again, our resident gardening expert, Linda, has answered a question posed by one of our children’s nursery customers. Linda’s advice is always so useful and practical that we love to include them on our blog so that we can share this wonderful information with you!

Q. I was wondering if you could possibly help me out, I am writing our gardening info sheet and wanted to talk to them about their hanging baskets, planters, veggies, herbs and fruit! Could you possibly tell me what is in season for the is time of year and what is hard watering and will last in the hand of our little ones! Your help will be most appreciated.

Everyone needs a watering can!

A. Nothing is truly hard wearing from inquisitive children; I have found that spiky plans command respect! (To be avoided at all costs). Larger plants seem to withstand probing fingers and being sat on. In the border, Bamboo has worked well on one of my sites as has Phormium tenax. The children use it as part of a mini jungle weaving in and out. This time of year is a little bit like clothes buying, we might still want to buy for summer but most places only have autumn/ winter stock in. The summer bedding season is over with perhaps a few offerings left in some outlets and the autumn/ winter bedding is just about poking through.

Suggestions for this time of year ….. Hanging baskets- available in mini form are perennials, grasses, some spring bulbs and evergreens. Planters- bulbs for spring, textural evergreen plants such as stachys byzantina are always enjoyed, lavender. Herbs- mint, chives, sage, oregano. Veggies- rocket, broad beans, onion setts, spinach, peas. Fruit- top fruits such as apple trees, pear trees and plum trees are the best bet though you can still be harvesting autumn raspberries and later fruiting strawberries. This list is by no means exhaustive and choice will be subject to what is available. If you plan ahead for next year you may have fun growing your own and enjoy a more extensive and specific variety of plant material. Please get in touch again should you wish to go down this route and I can be more specific. Enjoy the journey!