Gardening has always been a perfect children’s activity. It combines muck and magic, a chance to get messy, and the promise of great things from even the tiniest seed. As the large family garden is a rarity these days, even a sunny kitchen window can give a child the chance to grow a whole range of herbs, salads and flowers, and, what’s more, they can keep an eye on progress while they munch on their breakfast.

Perhaps, more importantly, while children may think they are simply having fun, they will also be learning about gardening, from topics such as seed sowing and the germination process to the thinning out of crops and the importance of pollinators.

As their confidence grows, so their imagination and natural curiosity will hopefully lead them to explore this hobby further, taking part in the school gardening club, or even creating a small garden of their own.

Add some magic to your lawn in the spring by planting crocus bulbs to create your very own fairy rings. Even if no fairies appear, the rings are still a great place for having a picnic and playing. Best of all, the flowers will appear again every spring.

 

You will need:

  • piece of string, 20 in (50cm) in length
  • tent peg
  • plastic water bottle
  • play sand
  • special bulb planter
  • crocus bulbs

fairy rings

 

Ask a grown-up to use the bulb planter to make a hole along this circle every 4in (10cm) and leave the ‘plug’ of soil and grass by the side of the hole. The hole should only be about 2in (5cm) below the surface of the grass.

Ask a grown-up to use the bulb planter to make a hole along this circle every 4in (10cm) and leave the ‘plug’ of soil and grass by the side of the hole. The hole should only be about 2in (5cm) below the surface of the grass.

Place a crocus bulb in each hole, making sure that the bulb is the right way up (the pointed end should be facing upward). Replace the plug of soil and turf, and firm it down well. The bulbs will grow through the grass the following spring.

Place a crocus bulb in each hole, making sure that the bulb is the right way up (the pointed end should be facing upward). Replace the plug of soil and turf, and firm it down well. The bulbs will grow through the grass the following spring.

  • words:

You may also like

Bug–U–Like

Jo Arnell explores the fascinating and hugely beneficial world of our garden insects   I love a bug, and am beginning to learn that they all have a role and a place, despite the fact that the main job for...

All about Orchids

Jo Arnell explores the popularity of these much-loved exotic-looking plants Who hasn’t bought an orchid? Whether as a gift or statement houseplant, we buy many thousands of orchids each year. They have fascinated us for centuries – their exotic and...

Meet the Garden Designer

Introducing Julia Keem, a local Garden Designer who has built and planted gorgeous gardens across Kent, Sussex and South East London How did you know you wanted to be a garden designer? Feeling underwhelmed with my office job in 2008...