Container Gardening For Kids

Old boots with container plants inside hanging outdoors.

Container gardening with kids has endless creative possibilities.

Container gardening for kids is a delightful activity. They adore the idea of having their plants in pots, and what could be more exciting than letting them unleash their creativity by making their unique pots?

Containers don't have to be limited to traditional terra-cotta pots. Plastic pots, with their safety features, are an excellent choice for kids.

They also require less frequent watering, providing a practical solution for parents and reducing the stress of maintaining a garden while juggling other responsibilities.

Let the kids pick out a collection of various sizes and shapes of pots. They could plant a strawberry pot with different little plants in each hole.

Or they could even make their containers. These ideas for container gardening for kids will help get things growing.

Container Gardening for Kids Pot Possibilities

Old sneakers and boots make great whimsical pots. You could even have a shoe-in with all different types of shoes.

Container gardening with kids offers a world of possibilities. Anything can be a container if it can hold soil and allow excess water to drain out. This flexibility is what makes it such a fun and adaptable activity.

Our container gardens have been a riot of fun and creativity. We've used everything from old sneakers to work boots to plastic soda bottles cut in half and painted with flowers, butterflies, or hearts.

The more unusual, the more fun- this is the essence of container gardening with kids.

When container gardening for kids, remember that these pots dry out faster than clay or plastic and will need frequent watering, especially if they receive full sun daily.

Watering is the prime drawback of container gardening for kids, as container plants dry out much quicker than the in-ground variety.

Consider hooking up a little irrigation line running from pot to pot so you can go on vacation without suffering casualties.

Here are a few more suggestions for container gardening with kids:

Decorative cinder blocks. Herbs especially like these containers. They want tight places for their roots and the lime embedded in the blocks. You can set many out to create a pattern and a shallow garden.

Old toys, such as plastic dump trucks, etc.

Pocketbooks and totes. These are terrific for taller, larger plants.

Baskets. What did you do with the Easter baskets? If you can, find them, fill them with soil, and let the kids loose with the seeds or seedlings.

Shells. Shells are an excellent choice for cactus and succulents.

Tips for Helping Kids Grow Their Gardens

Now that you've chosen containers, here's how to get growing:

Wash out the container. Put holes in the bottom for drainage.

Fill the container full of potting soil. Leave around an inch at the top if you're scratch with seeds; about two or three inches if you're planting seedlings.

Plant seeds and cover. Or, plant seedlings and gently cover their roots with soil.

Water gently so you don't wash all the soil out. (This is not the time to power spray.) Wait until all the water has settled; then water more. Repeat until water drains out the bottom holes.