This is especially true when they're engaged in herb gardening. Children can experience gardens through their various senses. Herbs are beautiful plants, and they are very appealing. Sages and other wonderfully textured species are just asking to be touched. This aspect of gardening will be especially meaningful to youngsters.
Children can also experience herbs through their sense of smell and taste. Imagine the joy they get from harvesting oregano or basil from their own plant. The herbs they've grown can be used in family meals, and as a result the child gardener can receive praise for his/her efforts. This can be the first step to a lifelong enjoyment of gardening.
If possible children should be given their own herb plant. Then they can take care of their plant when the rest of the family is gardening.
A good way to introduce children to the world of herbs is through herb kits. A good example is the Plantin' Pals line of gardening products. Manufactured by Kidscapes, these should be available online and at retail stores. They include herb seeds and kits of herb species that are easy to grow. One kit contains seeds of sage, thyme, and basil. Another has chives, mint, and parsley. Seed packs of individual herbs are also available separately. The Plantin' Pals line includes plush toys, such as Chippy Chive, Basil Basil, Justin Thyme, Pepa Mint, Priscilla Parsley, and Sammy Sage.
To care for their herbs properly children will need pint-sized gardening tools, and supplies. Kidscapes offers high-quality kid-size gardening gloves in different qualities, sizes, and colors.
Encourage children to water their herbs properly by providing them with Fun-Can watering cans. These animal-shaped containers will help children retain their interest in gardening.
A fun-filled project for the entire family would be a special children's garden. It should include fragrant herbs, such as thyme and oregano. Lamb's ears deserves a place too because the softly textured leaves would be particularly enticing to children. For flowering interest, include the balloon flower. All of the family will marvel at the perfectly shaped flower buds. The obedient plant should be present in the children's garden. Children can bend its flower stems in any direction they like, and the stem will remain in that position.
To teach children about nature, do plant the butterfly bush where they can enjoy it. This plant is sure to attract wandering butterflies to the garden where children can admire them.
