WINTER GARDENING FOR KIDS

MEETING YOUR NEEDS

I never noticed, or remember bad weather days when I was a child. I also can’t imagine being hot when my toes feel like icicles. It’s no doubt a safety feature we have built into us so we don’t suffer unnecessarily. Imagine being able to feel toothache when you don’t have it…not nice at all.

There must have been days when I just couldn’t go out though and I also must have found things to do to occupy myself. I remember having a day off school because of an illness when I was about six. This must have been one of the longest days of my life….. My mother had to put me on the settee, throw a blanket over me and left me there until teatime when she got back from work. I must have been ill because I didn’t move all day other than to see if there were any children’s programmes on the television. There weren’t. The only programme on was a schools programme called “Meeting Your Needs”, or Needing Your Meats as the producers so cleverly called it by altering the title in this edition. That phrase has haunted me ever since and I can’t help but think of it when I hear meat being mentioned. I was glad to get back to school the next day I can tell you and realised that you miss nothing if you stay off school. From then on I dragged myself in every day until I left.

GARDENING FUN FOR THE CHILDREN

Gardening fun doesn’t just have to be in the summer months. So, how can we generate a bit of horticultural interest in children and get them away from the snappy catchphrases of daytime TV and the relentless Christmas advertising? Here are a few ideas.


1. If I had a hammer: If you are handy with a hammer and nails, how about giving the children a hand making a bird house. The wood yards around Inishowen are very good at cutting wood to the right length for you if you are not too confident about cutting it yourself…It’s only a question of fixing it together with a few nails ..check out the internet for a plan.

2. Windowsill Gardens: When the relentless rain and winter cold keeps children inside, try cultivating a windowsill garden. All you need is a sunny spot and a few containers of soil. Herbs are an excellent choice for windowsills and you can plant bulbs now (just about).

3. Garden crafts: There are several projects you can try, depending on their age and interest. Hand-painted plant markers or homemade whirligigs to put between rows to frighten off birds. Check the internet for more ideas.

4. Garden Centre Visits: Plan a visit to the local garden centre to buy seeds. Or let your child help select varieties from the seed catalogues. Then start seeds indoors to plant outside after the last frost. Ask the experts at your garden centre or check the internet or your favourite gardening book to determine when to start seeds.

5. Carnivorous Plants: What child wouldn't be fascinated by an insect-eating plant? Many garden centres sell Venus Flytraps in their houseplant section.

6. Watch Seeds Sprout: Put some paper towels into a jar or on a saucer. Sprinkle on some large seeds like courgettes or smaller seeds like mustard and cress. Keep them moist and leave them on the kitchen windowsill. Seeds should sprout in a few days.
7. Potty People: Draw or paint faces on small clay pots, then fill with soil. Plant grass seed, water, and watch the "hair" grow. The other idea is to make a grasshead. Make a ball from a pair of old tights and fill with a mix of wood shavings and grass seed at the top, before tying up the end. This can then be made into a face and watered.
8. Paint and Decorate: Let children indulge their natural creativity by painting inexpensive terra cotta pots to use next spring or for repotting houseplants this winter. They also make nice birthday and thank you gifts. If you use water based paints (recommended if you are doing this inside) then a coat of varnish after the paint has dried will seal in the colour.

9. Worm Farm. Line a large cardboard box with a dustbin liner bag. Fill it with soil, organic matter, and a few worms. Keep it shady and moist, but not too wet. Add vegetable kitchen scraps to the top of the pile. Worms help teach children about the interdependence of plants and organisms as they turn vegetable kitchen scraps into valuable compost. Get them to hold one as well…..

10. Terrariums. Carefully place some soil and a few mosses and plants (with roots) inside a clean mayonnaise jar. Keep your indoor garden moist with a plant mister, and cover the opening with clingfilm.

11. Feed the Birds. Stock up on birdseed and suet at your local garden centre, and feed the birds this winter. Have your child keep a record of all the species of birds that come to the feeder and what date each first was spotted.