In a world ruled by screens, it can be difficult to find ways to unplug. One way to enjoy nature is through gardening. Whether you have a container or a large backyard, there are many ways to share the joy of growing plants with loved ones. Listed below are a collection of readings selected to inspire you to get your hands dirty with projects that are sure to delight gardeners of all ages.
Recommended Reading
Easy Peasy Gardening for Kids by Kirsten Bradley
An introduction to easy gardening so you can grow everywhere and anywhere. Whether you live in the city or the countryside, there are plenty of places you can plant and grow. For a new generation of green fingers there are different ways to bring nature into the home. Make your own pots, build balcony boxes, create your own bird feeders and even get friendly with worms! Each activity has been carefully chosen to create living, renewable and sustainable environments for kids and their families. Each activity has been carefully written by Kirsten Bradley, a leading practitioner in permaculture for kids and co-founder of Milkwood permaculture farm in Australia. The simple steps and beautiful spot illustrations make activities fun and easy to follow. The book will also feature non-activity spreads explaining the importance of why and how nature works. Illustrated by Aitch, a Romanian artist whose folkloric illustrations pay homage to vintage botanical books while giving each page a sense of modern magic.
Garden to Table: A Kid's Guide to Planting, Growing, and Preparing Food by Katherine Hengel
Fill your plate with fresh, self-sustained produce that comes straight from your garden. Step-by-step planting, care and harvesting tips give the beginning gardener a good basic understanding of the growing process. Over 30 delicious recipes made with basil, carrots, green beans, leaf lettuce, potatoes, and tomatoes, complete with step-by-step photos, bring your homegrown foods to the table to share with others. Incorporating unique flavors and easy-to-grow veggies, these simple recipes will have you asking for seconds!
Rocks, Dirt, Worms & Weeds: A Fun, User-friendly Illustrated Guide to Creating A Vegetable or Flower by Jeff Hutton
Let writer and gardener Jeff Hutton show you and your kids how to grow your own food and your favorite flowers, attract butterflies, create crafts, and more. Teach your children how to start garden seeds indoors as well as how to prepare soil, plant seeds, and transplant seedlings. Additionally, there are over a dozen fun recipes and instructions for making stepping stones, decorating egg carton planters, planting a sunflower maze, and much more. Parents and children are sure to have a blast in the garden all year round!
300 Step-by-step Cooking & Gardening Projects for Kids by Nancy McDougal
Children love to get their hands dirty and this book is packed with exciting and educational projects that will keep them entertained in both the kitchen and garden. It contains more than 300 activities and recipes, from growing your own fruit and vegetables, to cooking them for yummy results. Beautifully illustrated and bursting with ideas, this is an ideal hands-on guide and is sure to provide hours of entertainment for the entire family.
Gardening Projects for Kids: 101 Ways to Get Kids Outside, Dirty, and Having Fun by Whitney Cohen
In The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids, Whitney Cohen and John Fisher draw on years of experience in the Life Lab Garden Classroom and gardening with their own children to teach parents how to integrate the garden into their family life, no matter its scope or scale. The book features simple, practical gardening advice, including how to design a play-friendly garden, ideas for fun-filled theme gardens, and how to cook and preserve the garden's bounty. 101 engaging, family-friendly garden activities are also featured, from making Crunch-n-Munch Vegetable Beds and Muddy Miniature Masterpieces to harvesting berries for Fresh Fruity Pops.
Add a comment to: Home & Garden Highlight: Gardening with Kids