Patch Kits in Action

One of our most popular products are our Planet Eco Patch Kits

My grandchildren E,W and M tested out all three varieties, Vegie, Herb and Flower.

The Grandkids live in Far North Queensland and I live in Melbourne, so it was wonderful to share my gardening passion with them.

E, W and M all worked together to plant the seeds and write labels on the bamboo plants tags. When I visited them a few weeks after planting, the seeds had sprouted and were being watered at least once a day, probably more as I think each kid was watering them separately!

All of the seeds within the Planet Eco Patch Kits have been specifically chosen because they are easy to grow and quick to germinate.

When the seedlings were big enough, we planted them out into the garden. The kids were a little surprised that the cardboard pot was biodegradable and could be planted straight into the garden.

Throughout my visit to FNQ, the Grandkids asked about a million questions about seeds, plants and gardening. I think the Patch Kits sparked an interest! And they all thoroughly recommended our Patch Kits as being a great gift for kids.

Darebin Backyard Harvest Festival to blossom this May

Passionate gardeners from across Victoria will be lining up to take guided tours of some of Darebin’s abundant and productive food gardens and getting expert advice from local horticulturalists during the annual Backyard Harvest Festival this May.

 

Across 19 sustainability-focused garden tours and workshops, talented hosts will provide tips on a diverse range of subjects, including seedling propagation, keeping chickens, quails and bees, fruit tree maintenance and grafting and natural pest management.

 

Four new gardens have been added to this year’s program, along with two workshops especially designed for families and children – a first for the Festival.

 

The Productive Gardening with Kids Workshop at Poppy’s Patch in Reservoir will show how budding gardeners can have fun while meaningfully participating in gardening activities.

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Top 5 Best Chooks for Kids

Guest Post written by Sarah-Jayne McCreath from Backyard Chicken Coops.
Chickens make the best pets for your growing children. A flock of chooks provide love, a sense of responsibility and teach our kids the importance of compassion and care. They are super cute and affectionate and make great backyard pals for toddlers to teenagers and all in between. If you want your kids to have the best when it comes to pets – check out our top 5 breeds to choose for your kids below and get cluckin’ on that family flock!   Continue reading

Writing Names on Fruit and Vegies

Message on a Banana
Message on a Banana

WRITING NAMES AND DESIGNS ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Scratching your children’s name into growing pumpkins, zucchinis or melons is such a fun and simple activity, but it gives the children months’ worth of enjoyment as they watch their creations grow!
Here are 3 tried and tested edibles that work really well for this activity:

  • Pumpkins, zucchinis (and any other members of the squash family)
  • Watermelon
  • Passion fruit (scratch your design while they’re still green)

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10 Tips To Get Children Involved In The Garden

Fun In The Garden
Fun In The Garden

We are frequently asked “How can I get my kids interested in gardening?”.  And these days with easy access to a range of electronic entertainment devices, it is more important than ever to encourage children to create their own garden and grow their own food.  Here are our top ten tips to encourage your kids into the garden.     Continue reading

Mini Succulent Garden using Recycled Tin Cans

Mini Succulent Garden made from Recycled Tin Cans
Mini Succulent Garden made from Recycled Tin Cans

These super cute mini gardens are incredibly easy for children to make.  Using waste tin cans and succulent cuttings, they make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.
The kids and I have been stuck inside with nasty colds so we spent some time decorating some used tin cans to be used as mini gardens. We then ventured outside to take some cuttings and make up these nifty little garden gifts. Continue reading

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for Kids

The Disney Fairies Children’s Garden

Us adults love, love, love the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), but it can be a little bit tricky keeping the little ones entertained.  This year should be different! The MIFGS is hosting some fabulous attractions designed just for our little green thumbs. Continue reading

Winter Vegie Growing Competition

Winter vegie growing challenge
Yates and Junior Landcare have teamed up again to offer children, families, schools and community groups some fabulous prizes just by growing their own winter vegies and sharing their story.
Yates will be providing free seeds and Gardening 4 Kids stocks plenty of child friendly garden tools, equipment and gloves to help you on your way with the challenge.  And this year, our very own Erica Lovel will be on the judging panel.
Gardening 4 Kids will be offering tips and advice throughout the Challenge via our Facebook and Twitter pages. We will share our successes and our failures! Continue reading

Gardening and Sustainability Curriculum Resources

IMG_8419 (2)

Bad News for Teachers:            There are less than 3 weeks before kids go back to school!
Good News for Teachers:        Sustainability “How to Guides” and full lesson plans are available on the Landcare Australia website.
Good News for Parents:          The How to Guides are a wonderful resource that can be used in your home garden or natural environment as well. We loved the natural pesticide recipe!
Based on the 2015 Australian Curriculum, the lesson plans include engaging and easy-to-understand teaching and learning sequences.  The lessons plans and How to Guides cover a range of gardening and nature based activities and have been to assist Primary School teachers across Australia. Continue reading

Top Tips for Encouraging Your Child to Eat More Vegies

 

growing cabbage
Growing Cabbage

There is nothing more satisfying or heart-warming than discovering your child in the vegie patch munching enthusiastically on something fresh, super healthy and delicious (unless of course it’s your prize winning crop of strawberries that you were saving for the top of your Sunday pav!)
Current research clearly shows the importance of children being involved with what they’re growing.  My children seem to be about 400% more likely to eat vegies they have grown themselves! Continue reading