Gardening with Urban Kids

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A few weeks ago, Ansel came home from co-op preschool with a Styrofoam cup full of dirt.  “Great,” I thought, “just what we need.”  But it turns out that in the dirt there was bean and in that bean there is a lesson.   As part of our routine, we began checking the bean cup, watering it, making sure it got sunlight and before too long, two strong sprouts were pushing up through the dirt.  We’d successfully nurtured a little plant from the tiny bean.  There may be solid science behind that process, but to the boys it was magic.

So what next?  More beans in cups, or were we ready to take the next step?

I decided a garden was in order.  We live in the city, but we are fortunate enough to have a yard with enough space for a small garden.  We’ve been building our raised beds and talking about what vegetables we’re going to plant.  The whole process has been very educational.

We’re planting some seeds, but we’ll mostly be using started plants from the nursery.  Since I’m not a natural green thumb, I ask a lot of questions and have found one rule of thumb.  If it is cheap and plentiful in your local nursery, it usually is well suited for your climate.  Easy guides for what to plant when can be found by doing a quick internet search.  I’m making plans for planting success with my kids in mind. Radishes, carrots and lettuces provide quick results that dazzle young gardeners.  Pumpkins take longer, but can reach enormous sizes with just a little effort. Tomatoes are never tastier than when eaten right off the vine.

But what if you don’t have enough space for raised beds? No problem.

Container gardening might fit the bill.  Even with very limited outdoor space, you can create a garden in a large pot or window boxes.  Many vegetables do well in container gardens.  I have grown tomatoes and basil on my fire escape back in my single days in San Francisco.  With enough light and water, they were just as happy to be in a pot as the might have been in a more traditional setting. The key is to match the size of the pot to the size of the plant and provide enough drainage.  Container gardens also require more frequent watering, but that is a job easily delegated to your junior gardener.

No outdoors space at all? Got it, try a kitchen counter herb garden.

A few small pots on a bright windowsill can bring your garden indoors.  Keeping those fresh herbs on hand for use in your favorite recipe is an added plus.  Basil for pesto, chives on your baked potatoes, thyme in your soup, all in easy reach of your stove.

But maybe you’re looking for something more.  Something bigger.  Investigate community gardens.

These shared spaces allow urban gardeners access to gardening plots.  They are traditionally run the city or by a non-profit organization with the goal of providing access to outdoor space and encouraging neighborhood bonding. In fact, many believe that community gardens help combat urban isolation and may decrease vandalism in the neighborhood.  For more information on finding or starting a community garden in your city, check out the American Community Gardening Association’s website. http://www.communitygarden.org/

Whatever you do, take time to enjoy it with your kids, because like the bean, before you know it your little sprout will be fully grown.

Photo of Seedling 1, copyright sveres at stock.xchng

When she’s not digging in the dirt, chasing kids and dogs or finding her next cup of coffee, Laura Williams Argilla is blogging at From Stage Dives to Station Wagons and From Mosh Pits to Mashed Potatoes.

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