Compost and worm farms, Garden activities for kids, Our environment, Pests and Weeds, School garden, Uncategorized

Gardening and Sustainability Curriculum Resources

Posted on by Erica

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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 →

Garden activities for kids, Other, Recipes

Top Tips for Encouraging Your Child to Eat More Vegies

Posted on by Erica
12
Jan

 

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 →

Garden activities for kids, Minibeast of the moment, Our environment

Where have all the Christmas Beetles Gone?

Posted on by Erica
24
Dec
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 →

Flowers, Garden activities for kids, Vegie on View, What to plant and when

Top 10 Summer Plants for Kids

Posted on by Erica
15
Dec
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 →

Guest Posts, Other

Guest Blog – Children's Safety in the Garden

Posted on by Erica
mackenzies garden 2
The garden Mackenzie has created with her children
Today’s guest blog is by Mackenzie Fox. She is a young mum of a six-year old boy and a two-year old girl; she loves gardening and all things green. Mackenzie has shared some very thoughtful ways to keep our little green thumbs safe in the garden.
My husband and I introduced our children to gardening early. We believed it was going to teach them about plants and other forms of life, the importance of sustainability, the environment, and keeping the carbon footprint low much more than any biology course would. They would learn how to grow their own vegetables and would keep them away from the temptation of spending their entire lives behind laptops or televisions. Continue reading →

Flowers, Garden activities for kids, Vegie on View, What to plant and when

Super Easy Plants for Kids to Grow

Posted on by Erica
07
Dec
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 →

Garden activities for kids, Other

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

Posted on by Erica
06
Dec
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 Gear, Other

Gardening Gift Ideas for Kids

Posted on by Erica
29
Nov
Flower Patch Garden Kit for kids
Planeteco’s Flower, Herb and Vegie Patch Kits are the perfect gifts for kids who love gardening.
We are often asked about gardening gift ideas for kids. Here are our top gift suggestions that cater for a wide range of ages, abilities and likes. If you need any further advice or have any questions please email us at info@gardening4kids.com.au.

  1. My First Gardening Tools– This set is the perfect gift for any little green thumb whether they are new to gardening or “old hands”. They come in four different colours (blue, green, orange and pink) and feature a set of gardening tools, a pair of gloves and a bucket. Continue reading →
Other

Quick Sale and Peninsula Health & Well Being Expo Prize Winner

Posted on by Erica
29
Oct

 
bath1
Gardening 4 Kids had the pleasure of meeting many families at the Peninsula Health & Well Being Expo held last Sunday. It was wonderful to see so many children digging in the dirt and potting a seed to take home.
Thank you to everybody who signed up for our newsletter, and as promised a prize winner has been selected using a random number generator.  The lucky winner of the Gardening 4 Kids prize is Catherine L.  We will contact you privately Catherine to arrange delivery.
Many of the families we met, were yet to get their vegie gardens started. So we are having a quick 10% off all our products to help you get you get started.  We stock a large range of gardening kits, organic seeds and garden tools specifically designed for children. Use the discount code 10%GardenStarter at checkout and 10% will be deducted automatically.  Offer ends 6th November 2014.
Happy Gardening
Erica

FREE stuff, Other, Our environment

National Water Week 2014

Posted on by Erica
21
Oct
Bottle Top Waterer
Bottle Top Waterer
National Water Week 2014 Free Bottle Top Waterer.
Growing up, water was seen as an endless resource. We played under the sprinkler for hours, hosed down our drive ways and dual flush toilets were unheard of. I can still remember my father’s disgust at the introduction of water usage charges, that’s right, it used to be free!
Nowadays, things are very different. We have come to our senses and realised that water is a very valuable resource and we all have to be sensible with its use.  Many households have water tanks and grey water systems. My husband plumbed our shower so the water goes straight out on to our garden; the plants that receive this shower water are some of the healthiest in my garden.
This week, 19-25 October, is National Water Week, an event that has been running since 1993. The aim of National Water Week is to inspire individuals, communities and organisations to work together to raise awareness and understanding around water issues. This year’s theme is “Water Sources: There are more than you think”.  Continue reading →