Winter Gardening Ideas With Kids

With the weather turned chilly and the days mostly cold and grey, you might decide it’s best to keep the kids indoors; however, winter is an exciting time to be outside. As long as the little ones are decked out in proper winter attire to keep warm, they can spend time outdoors and have fun experiencing nature.

You might be surprised to learn that gardening is a great activity to do with your kids at this time. In places where it gets too cold, gardens pretty much shut down over winter, but this is not the case for most of Australia. It’s definitely beneficial to the young generation to learn about winter crops. Not only does it add to the knowledge they have of sustainable and self-reliant living, but it also gets them outside, which is great for their physical and mental well-being.

When it comes to winter gardening ideas with kids, what are the fruits and vegetables that can be planted at this time?

• Snow peas – These have larger seeds that are easier for little hands to sow. The flavour is also sweet so many young ones enjoy eating them.
• Silver beet and spinach – These grow well in the winter and work well with many dishes.
• Radish – Its seeds can be sown at this time. It grows really fast, so impatient kids will be happy with the quick result of their toil.
• Carrot – The same is true for this, and you can get different varieties. It will be fun seeing how each kind turns out.
• Kale – This is another vegetable that can be planted in the winter. It comes in a range of colours, which the little ones may find fascinating.
• Apples, apricots, and plums – These deciduous fruit trees are planted in the winter.
• Rhubarb, passionfruit, and blueberry – These smaller fruiting plants can also be grown at this time.

Tending to a garden is not just about planting, of course. What other winter gardening ideas with kids can you try?

• Raking fallen leaves and picking up sticks, bark, and twigs – Most of them should go into your compost bin, but the sticks can be broken up to be used as kindling for cosy winter fires.
• Aerating your lawn – The kids can take turns having a go at it with a garden fork. Doing this will make rejuvenating your lawn in the spring much easier.
• Pruning and thinning – These tasks are done more easily when the plants are bare. It’s also easier to spot crowded growth and invasive climbers at this time.

In case the weather turns ugly, there’s always indoor gardening, but it’s recommended that you try to get out and work in the garden with your kids as much as you can. The time together will be rewarding and the kids are sure to get a thrill come harvest time.

If your family needs help keeping up with the yard chores, please don’t hesitate to call Jim’s Mowing on 0800 454 654 or book online for your free no obligation quote. Jim’s offers a wide range of gardening services and would be delighted to help you!