“Mummy! It smells just like sunshine!” said my 5-year-old son, Cameron, his face split wide open with a grin. He was standing knee-deep in the middle of our herb garden, the sun pouring down on him from a cloudless blue sky.
“How doyouknow what sunshine smells like?” said Kent, my 10 year old.
“It smells like dirt, and flowers… and Peppermint.” Cameron replied, looking at both of us as if everyone should know what sunshine smells like.
Growing herbs is a fun and fantastic way to introduce children to gardening. No matter how much space you have, from a window box to an 8 foot by 8 foot plot, herbs are hearty, prolific and easy to maintain. A little dirt, some water and sunshine are all you need to share a lifelong skill with your kids.
要开始在家里种植草药,你可以用迪克西杯。在杯子里倒入半英寸深的盆栽土。帮助你的孩子阅读种子包装上的说明,并监督种植,除非你真的喜欢扫地和吸尘。种植完成后,给它们好好浇水,然后把它们放在一个塑料托盘里,放在阳光充足、温暖的地方。每隔一天轻轻浇水。
In about a week to ten days, the seedlings start pushing through the dirt. This is a good time to talk with your kids about the particular shape of the first leaf sets. Do dill leaves look different from mint leaves? How many leaves are there? What do they think the adult plant will look like? This encourages kids to use their imaginations and teaches them how to identify plants.
Once the seedlings are big enough to handle transplanting, usually about five weeks after sowing, they can be moved outside to a window box, pot or garden. Dig a hole in the dirt large enough for the roots using a tablespoon or a garden trowel. Gently squeeze the cup to release the roots, and pull the plant out. Insert the roots into the hole and press the dirt around the roots and the stem of the plants. Give the plants a good drink of water and check on them over the next few days to make sure they like their new home.
Maintaining herbs is simple. Water them every few days, when the dirt feels dry to the touch. Within a few weeks, you’ll be able to harvest small amounts to season food. Trimming the herbs is good for them, because they’ll shoot out new branches where they were cut.
Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions. Anything from “Why is dirt brown?” to “Why do bees like flowers?” With older kids, you may hear from them about how plants are pollinated, because they’ve been learning about it at school.
Not only does growing your own plants present fantastic “teachable” moments, but it can save you money and protect your health. One package of basil seeds will cost you .99 cents, versus $1.50 per half ounce at the grocery store. If you grow your own, you know exactly what fertilizers and pest control solutions are used – by you!
For more information about herb gardening, go to
Michele B. Decoteausays
伟大的思想!罗勒看起来很漂亮。去年,我们在花园里种了罗勒、牛至、辣椒和西红柿。我们第一次有了一个成功的集装箱花园。
moonglumsays
having them help in the garden is one of the few ways to get our kids to eat veggies…that or if they come from our “farmer friend” (CSA)
Mary E Lewissays
Michelle, when we started our first herb garden, we called it the “spaghetti sauce” garden.
Moonglum, another way we get our kids to try new foods is to let them help us cook!
wordplayhousesays
I like growing herbs in pots when the children are young. It’s simple way to introduce them to gardening. Thanks for the post.
Susansays
How I love the discussion about the smell of sunshine! My son loves to grow herbs and gather some for supper cooking each evening. Is there anything more flavorful than homemade pesto?! Lovely post.
Zonnahsays
That was such a cute and sweet intro
Maggiesays
Check out this awesome book if you are interested in herbs and kiddos.
It is an awesome book. So useful. Has gardening tips too.
https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Healing-Children-Demetria-Clark/dp/1570672148/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305293168&sr=8-1