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Mentors in Gardening

© Linda Mazar

You may remember someone who encouraged you to garden when you were a child. To develop an interest in gardening, it helps to have been exposed to gardeners and their gardens. Children need mentors to teach and encourage them in the ways of gardening so that the next generation will carry on the enjoyment of gardening. They need to see those who enjoy digging in the dirt and planting the seeds. They need to experience gardening themselves with some caring guidance from someone who cares. Maybe that someone is you.

Every gardener can reach out to a child and introduce him/her to gardening. It is an easy thing to do as children love being outside and have an interest in what you are doing in the dirt. Children also enjoy having an adult spend time with them. It makes them feel important and special. Time spent together in the garden can build self-esteem even more as the child will develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in the garden.

And all the benefits do not belong to the child in the mentorship. The adult will feel good about passing on garden skills and the love of gardening to the child. Both parties can benefit from the mentoring relationship. Where do you begin?

First, think about a child that could benefit from the mentorship. You might consider inviting a child from a single-parent home to give the parent a break and to give the child some one-on-one attention from another source. You might invite a child in the your community that needs some extra attention. You might think of a child from within your circle of family or friends. Or you might choose the neighbor child who likes to stand and talk to you as you work outside. Once you have decided who you would like to mentor, contact the parent(s) and make sure they are in agreement.

Once this has been done, you need to decide what you are going to do. Will you share all your gardens? Will you develop a shared garden? Will the garden specifically belong to the child? What will be planted (veggies, flowers, etc)? How much control will be given to the child as far as plants chosen or design? Think this all through so you will be prepared. Ask the child to help you prepare the soil. Then ask the child to help choose plants. You might invite them along to the nursery to choose the plants or seeds. If the choices are made by you, you may want to give the child some say in which plants go where or choosing which seedling goes in each hole. Guidance is always appropriate and limited choices may help in situations with small children.

The copyright of the article Mentors in Gardening in Gardening with Children is owned by Linda Mazar. Permission to republish Mentors in Gardening in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.