With autumn weekends spent at home in full force, now is the perfect time to embrace gardening.
“It’s always a great time to jump into the garden to provide children with much needed vitamin D and education on insects, herbs and veggies,” says Narelle Peart from Scotts Osmocote. “Gardening is also a great bonding activity for parents and kids and will supply endless fun activities.”
A mum who sees the benefits of getting her kids in the garden, here are Narelle’s top five gardening activities:
Make your own backyard games: A healthy lawn, free of weeds and bindii is a great place to play. There’s a tonne of backyard games you and your kids can make using household items to pass the time. If you have any small balls and leftover plastic bottles, fill the bottles with some water and line them up to create your own family bowling league in the backyard. If your little one has been inspired by Ninja Warrior, create a course of hoops, mini challenges and walking planks on your lawn. Let your imagination run wild.
GET GROWING: Pick out seeds that are in season and use quality potting mix.
Build a herb garden: A herb garden is an easy way to introduce kids to gardening and add some flavour to home cooked meals. If it’s possible in your area head to the local nursery to pick up some seedlings and something to plant your herb garden in. Make sure you pick out seeds that are in season and use quality potting mix which will provide valuable nutrients for the herbs.
Build a worm farm: Worm farms are easy to build and only need a few household items. Try gathering a styrofoam box, worm bedding (such as shredded paper or compost), newspaper, soil and some compost worms. After a few weeks, slowly add food scraps for worms and watch your new wriggly friends dig and mix up the soil.
Make a set of hanging baskets: Hanging pots can be used both indoors and out. Add some colour by getting the kids to decorate the pots. If using them indoors invest in Osmocote’s new premium indoor potting mix, as it doesn’t contain compost or pine bark which is known to shelter pesky insects.
Go on an insect scavenger hunt: Head outdoors with a paper, pen, a list of bugs and magnifying glass for you and your kids to learn all about the different bug species that live in your garden.