Win Over The Kids

Kim explains how to encourage children and big kids everywhere to get more involved on the veg patch…

- Kim Stoddart

With spring so tantalisingly close, it’s time to start getting seriously excited about the produce growing season ahead. It’s an opportunity to plan, plot and peruse seed catalogues and garden centres, working out which new varieties and old favourites you are going to grow in your patch. With childlike enthusiasm often in large supply, it’s also a good time of year to think about letting some of this grow-your-own magic rub off elsewhere. Be it in children, other members of the family or friends and neighbours, why not look at spreading the vegetable growing love in 2018…

How to engage them

I believe that even the most reluctant child (or adult) can be won over with delicious home grown delights. Whether it’s picking luscious berries and currants, or popping peas fresh from the pod like sweets; if you start with their stomachs, a seed of interest can be planted for the longer term and will surely blossom and grow over time if nurtured gently. Some key tips:

Appeal to their sweet side

Most of us already grow peas, blackcurrants, strawberries, tomatoes and raspberries as staples, but it’s worth setting aside room for more as this produce is incredibly appealing and ideal for help yourself-foraging to whet an interest.

Grapes, blueberries and fruit trees such as apple, plum and cherry should also be considered as a longer term investment for the same reasons.

Give them their own patch or plants