| When container gardening, you may want to involve | | | | and will encourage them to remain engaged in the |
| your children in the process. Children can benefit from | | | | process of caring for the plant. |
| being responsible for their own container gardens. | | | | Now you must help your child find the right size pots |
| They can learn about the scientific processes | | | | for the plants that they have selected. The general |
| involved in the growth of plants and enjoy the | | | | rule to keep in mind is that smaller plants can thrive in |
| rewards of caring for a plant when it blooms or bears | | | | smaller containers and larger plants need larger |
| fruit. Every child can participate in container gardening. | | | | containers. For example, herbs and small vegetables |
| Whether you live in the city or in an apartment | | | | like baby carrots, loose-leaf lettuce varieties, and |
| building, all that you need is a container, seeds, | | | | cherry tomatoes, can fit in smaller containers. Most |
| sunlight, water and a little know-how. | | | | medium sized planters (12" square pots, or 12" |
| Location is important when starting a container | | | | diameter round pots) can hold larger vegetable plants |
| garden with your child. You need to start your | | | | like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, |
| container garden by choosing a sunny spot in the | | | | zucchini, and snap beans. The larger pots, such as |
| house. Generally, the best places are going to be | | | | planter boxes can hold a number of the plants |
| close to the windows. If the weather is warm, a | | | | mentioned above, or even larger plants such as |
| balcony or porch is an ideal location for container | | | | eggplants, squash, corn, or even dwarf fruit tree |
| gardens. You can also use window boxes or planters | | | | varieties. Do not forget about hanging containers, |
| if you do not have a designated outdoor space, but | | | | they can be a great solution when space is minimal. |
| want to keep the possible messes that come with a | | | | These same sizing rules apply to flowers as well. For |
| garden out of the house. | | | | questions about individual plants or if you are unsure |
| Make your selections wisely. Not all plants can thrive | | | | about what size containers are appropriate, ask the |
| in container gardens. Some plants require a more | | | | garden center associate (that's what they are there |
| dedicated space for their root growth. While there | | | | for and a good nursery will have employees who are |
| are some plants that you would be better off having | | | | qualified to answer questions like this). |
| the professionals grow, there are plenty of other | | | | You can also have fun with your container garden by |
| ones that will grow just fine in a container. You can | | | | being creative when it comes to choosing the |
| generally tell whether or not a plant is going to do | | | | containers for your plants. Let your child think of |
| well in a container by reading the package that the | | | | some common items that you may have that would |
| plant seeds come in. Most seed packets will say right | | | | work as a plant container. Plastic or wooden crates, |
| on the bag whether or not you should use those | | | | empty food containers or coffee cans, beach pails, |
| seeds in a container garden. If you are ever in doubt | | | | baskets, outgrown shoes, a wagon, a toy box no |
| as to whether or not a seed will grow indoors or in a | | | | longer in use, or a wheel barrow are just a few |
| container, you should feel free to ask the garden | | | | suggestions. You can also allow your child to paint or |
| center associate for help. It is also important to | | | | otherwise decorate their plant containers. Allowing |
| involve your child in this selection process. Allowing | | | | them to personalize the container will help to keep |
| your child to choose what they will grow and having | | | | them interested in the growing process when the |
| them play an active role in making the selection | | | | plant is small and anti-climactic. |
| decisions will help them feel like they own the project | | | | |