Now that winter has officially faded away and the good old British summer is fast approaching it is time to prepare our gardens for the wonderful fun that can be had as a family.
Encouraging the little ones to get outside in the sunshine and enjoy the garden can be a great way of keeping them entertained all while teaching them about the wonders of nature. By giving your children their own allotment to manage you are giving them the responsibility of looking after their own plants and flowers and you can also make it an exciting event when they grow something tasty!
Prepare
The first thing to do to get your mini allotment looking both bold and beautiful this summer is to get rid of those weeds! No garden looks glamorous with those gloomy, dull looking weeds lurking in the saddened soil. So with the help of the little ones pull the weeds out and lay down some fresh soil which will get the flower beds looking fresh. The kids will love getting muddy and feeling the mud between their fingers.
Plant
Have you brought your bulbs and plants ready to plant into your freshly prepared garden? If not, to pop down to the local garden Centre with the children and let them pick something which they enjoy looking at daily, something which will brighten up the space and is easy to maintain such as; Sunflowers, Sweet peas, Californian poppy’s, Pansy’s and Marigolds.
Alternatively if you’re looking to encourage healthy eating, pick out some fruit and vegetable seeds such as these that will educate your little ones on where there food comes from. Plus they’ll love feeling proud of themselves as they pick their home grown food for dinner.
Enjoy
Once the basics are done and the plants are planted think about what else could benefit the children in the garden. Helping them to craft a bird feeder such as this one, or some colourful bunting for the garden fences can all make the outside space feel more fun.
Remind them to keep on top of their little allotment throughout the summer with books at bedtime about the garden, and their own set of tools.
There are so many benefits for encouraging the little ones to enjoy the great outdoors, but if you feel stuck for inspiration do a little research on Pinterest or with Home Magazines. There are plenty of fun ways of making the garden more child-friendly than you may expect.
Have you started preparing your garden? Do you have any tips you would like to share?
Getting the garden ready for the Spring and Summer can ensure you don’t miss any opportunities to play in the sun this year – making the most of the beautiful weather. Here we offer a few tips to child-proof your garden, keeping the kids (and your flowers) safe this year.
Plant Responsibly
Particularly important for children of kids who are prone to putting everything they find in their mouth and treating life like a taster menu – ensure everything you’ve planted in the garden isn’t hazardous if consumed. Here is a list from the Royal Horticultural Society detailing all the common garden plants which are potentially harmful to humans. Whilst the effects of ingesting many of these plants are minimal, it is better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, it is important to stress the importance of not eating plants – instilling a basic understanding in children.
Cover the Pond
If you are lucky enough to have a pond in the back garden, it will naturally attract the attention of toddlers and young children excited by water, frogs and lily pads. Creative Pond Covers stock a variety of pond covers which can help prevent kids from falling into the water whilst allowing them to still enjoy the pond life. The range of different styles can help ensure you won’t ruin your garden’s beauty.
Secure the Shed
If you store the lawnmower and garden tools in the shed, it’s vital that there is no way kids can break in and put themselves in harm’s way. Make sure the door and windows are locked and secure. If wood, paint or window panes have been damaged during the rainy winter, it may be prudent to replace them or cover in a preserving coat. Ronseal stock a selection of preserves which can help protect woods from the forces of nature – keeping the exterior of sheds strong and more durable against the attacks of toddlers and young children.
Treat the Kids
Although much of the garden childproofing process will involve removing and covering up features – adding an extra play area or feature can help the kids enjoy the great outdoors more and keep them safer in the process. A tried and tested play area, built by a trusted manufacturer can offer kids a safe area to play, removing the temptation to climb trees and fences. The play and picnic centre climbing frame range from All Round Fun features a play area, picnic table and sandbox to enjoy during a hot summer’s day.
Prep the Emergency Kit
Whilst you can take every precaution imaginable, kids are absolute experts at finding new ways to hurt and injure themselves. Make sure you have a fully-stocked emergency kit to hand so when the almost inevitable accident occurs, you can be the first on the scene to make them feel better. A sugar-free lollipop usually seems to help the healing process as well.
How are you preparing your garden for Spring?
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