Where have all the Christmas Beetles Gone?

Christmas Beetle
Christmas Beetle
As a child, I remember hundreds of Christmas Beetles arriving on Christmas Eve.  It was always very exciting as it meant that Santa would be arriving soon, but I did wonder how did these beautiful shiny beetles knew that it was Christmas time? Sadly, their numbers are declining in many urban areas.
In this blog, we share some interesting Christmas Beetle facts and provide 5 Christmas Beetle Challenges for Kids.  Continue reading

Top 10 Summer Plants for Kids

Strawberries - Kids love to eat them straight off the bush
Strawberries – Kids love to eat them straight off the bush
There are so many amazing plants that fruit and flower in summer, it’s really difficult to pick just a few – but here’s Gardening 4 Kids top picks for summer 2014-15! Continue reading

Super Easy Plants for Kids to Grow

Cherry tomatoes on bush
Cherry Tomatoes are super easy for kids to grow

As much as us parents would like our children to jump straight in and love gardening, it’s not always the case.  Some kids need lots of encouragement and some quick, easy ideas to help spark their interest in gardening.

Of my four children, only two of them have naturally been drawn to the pleasure that gardening can bring.  The other two needed a gentle push along the way.  And two plants in particular have assisted my family over the years – geraniums and cherry tomatoes.

Both of these plants are super easy to grow and kids get a real thrill from successful gardening experiences. Continue reading

How to Make a Mobile Herb Garden using an Old Kettle BBQ

Kettle BBQ Herb Planter
Kettle BBQ Herb Planter
 
We know how much Aussies love a good barbie, but what happens to all the BBQs when they are replaced with a flashy new one?  Hard Rubbish of course!
These two pre-loved kettle BBQs were found on nature strips in our neighbourhood, and my 9 year old daughter instantly come up with the idea to plant herbs in them so we could move the herbs around the garden. So that is what we did!  Continue reading

Gardening Activities Around Australia These School Holidays

girls at cranbourne bot gardens
Kid Friendly Activities at the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens
With the school holidays upon us in most parts of the country, it is a great time to visit your local Botanic Garden. Many Botanic Gardens around Australia have free or low cost activities designed for kids.  Links to some of the kid friendly activities happening at our Botanic Gardens during the September 2014 school holidays are listed below.
Sydney – A range of activities for children aged between 3 and 12, held at the Sydney, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens.
Melbourne – Craft, nature and gardening activities for kids held at the Melbourne and Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.
Brisbane – Story time for toddlers and free school kids activities at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Continue reading

The Natured Kids' Play Outside Day Challenge

Australia Play Outside DayMay 4th is the Australian Conservation Foundation’s National Play Outside Day. ‘Natured Kids’ all around Australia will be building special shelters in their front and back yards, on their nature strip or in a little bit of nearby nature. Continue reading

Growing Herbs for Kids

Herbs for kids
Herbs are easy to grow making them ideal for kids, first time gardeners and those without a lot of space in their gardens. Herbs smell beautiful, look interesting and taste amazing. Kids love picking, experimenting and playing with them so growing them is a great way to encourage kids to be outside, exploring their senses and having fun in the garden. Continue reading

Remember to Mulch

Children mulching the garden
Mulching is important as it helps stabilise your gardens soil temperatures in the root zone…and that means happy plants! With Australia’s hot summers, mulching means that your plants won’t struggle when it comes to surviving in rough conditions. The best time to mulch is right after the soil has warmed up and you are ready to start planting. Continue reading

Increase Biodiveristy in your Garden

Lizard Lounge Signage
The Department of the Environment explains “Biodiversity has been described as the ‘web of life’, ‘the variety of living things’ or ‘the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and ecosystems of which they are a part’”. Teaching our kids about the importance of protecting, celebrating and increasing biodiversity is essential. The great thing is that most kids have a natural fascination with biodiversity and are eager to learn more about and increase the number of plants and animals in their environment. There are numerous gardening projects you and your kids can do to help increase biodiversity in your family’s garden and help your kids learn about the wonderful world around them. Here are ten ideas to help get you started:  Continue reading

How to Build a Lizard Lounge in Your Garden

lizard loungeDo your kids love seeing animals in the garden? Do you want to teach your kids about biodiversity?  Building a lizard lounge ticks both boxes and is a great way to increase biodiversity in your garden. They are easy to make, the kids can use their imagination and creative flair and best of all you will be providing a home for some of our most vulnerable creatures.
To make a lizard lounge in your garden you will need: Continue reading