Hello, green thumbs and little helpers! If you’re a parent and you’re new to food forest gardening, you may find yourself struggling to care for your garden with small children around. Children naturally love nature and forests, and if you’re garden is starting to look like one, they’re going to love playing there. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. And while you may have to fence off particularly vulnerable parts of your garden, there may be ways to get your children involved in the fun of growing.
Engage Their Senses: Children love to explore with all their senses. Plant a variety of textures, colors, and scents. Think fuzzy lamb’s ear, vibrant sunflowers, and sweet-smelling mint. A sensory garden not only delights but also educates.
Edible Adventures: What’s more fun than eating what you grow? Include plants that are easy and safe for kids to pick and eat, like strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and peas. Imagine the joy of a child finding a ripe berry hidden under a leaf!
Wildlife Wonders: Attracting friendly wildlife makes a garden magical. Plant flowers that invite butterflies and hummingbirds. Set up a small pond to observe frogs or a bird feeder to watch feathered friends. It’s a living lesson in ecology!
A Place to Play: Gardens aren’t just for plants. Add elements like a small sandbox, a winding path for exploration, or a hidden nook for reading. These spaces invite imaginative play, crucial for child development. Don’t forget, Permaculture is a design science. So design it to be at least partly for children. If you’re ready to tear out your lawn to plant a food forest, consider leaving some winding (lawn mower width) trails for kids to run around on. You can explain that the game is to play tag in the maze-like grass path without stepping off. Plus, mowing a lawn that is a single mower-width only takes a minute or so.
Teaching Moments: Use your garden to teach permaculture principles. Composting can show recycling in action. A rainwater harvesting system can demonstrate water conservation. It’s hands-on learning at its best!
Safety First: Ensure your garden is a safe space. Avoid plants that are toxic or have thorns, and make sure ponds or water features are child-friendly.
Involve Them: Lastly, let children be a part of the gardening process. Give them their own small plot or a pot to take care of. It instills responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.
Remember, the goal is to nurture a love for nature and growing things. When children find joy in the garden, the seeds for a lifelong love of permaculture are sown. Until next time, let’s get our hands dirty and our hearts full in our wonderful, child-friendly gardens!