8 Friday, May 7, 2021brooklintowncrier.com Last summer, I planted a few tomato plants in pots. It was my first attempt at gardening and my daughter took interest as the little plants grew quickly. She watered them, helped me re- plant them when they outgrew the pots (twice), and knocked off the Japanese beetles that threat- ened them. She hates tomatoes so I was curious what the motivation was for taking care of the plants. It turned out that this was her way of showing that she's ready for a puppy! We're still negotiating on that one. But we're planning a bigger garden patch this summer and are going to learn to garden together. Gardening gives children a chance to learn important life skills about care and responsi- bility and teaches environmen- tal awareness by exploring the workings of nature. Getting kids involved with gardening from an early age is beneficial to their self-esteem. Yes, they get dirty. But playing in the dirt is a great tactile activity most kids love. Not every plant is going to be a good one for young gardeners so it's important to choose them wisely. I started with a trip to the garden centre for advice. The garden expert asked us about our garden area. My daughter pulled out her phone and showed her pictures of our space. The expert next asked what vegetables she liked to eat and helped us pick out seeds based on our growing conditions and preferences. She explained there are some "must have" plants for a beginner's garden because they're easy to grow and have good yields. Sunflowers Plant just one or two since they take a lot of room. Sunflowers will sprout in one week, become a small seedling in two weeks, and should be two feet tall in a month. The flowers also yield yummy seeds perfect for snack- ing later in the summer. Be sure to grow 'confectionery' sunflow- ers. Lettuce Greens are a quick and reliable crop and a good way to interest kids in salads. Lettuce likes part shade and moist soil. There are lots of variations to try. Snow peas Snow peas are a fast growing and early crop and fun for kids to eat right off the vine. Peas pre- fer cooler, partially shaded loca- tions in the garden. They should be sown closely, about an inch apart. Cherry tomatoes These are sweet and can be eat- en like grapes which make them a great snack. Plant in full sun and use seedlings rather than planting from seed. Put them alongside a two foot stake next to each seedling. They need to be tied loosely to stakes as they get taller. Cherry tomatoes can also be grown in containers. Nasturtiums Kids love flowers. These flowers are easy to grow and bloom quickly, which encourages the young gardener. The flowers are also edible. What kid wouldn't love eating fresh garden sal- ad with flowers? Bush beans They grow fast and be- cause they don't grow tall, they're easy for kids to har- vest. Bush beans germinate in 4-8 days. Grow them in direct sun. Water the soil but try to keep the leaves dry. Tools, beds, and help Give each child his/her own small plot and put it right in the middle of the action with the best soil and light to set them up for success. Provide them proper tools and teach them to take care of them since plastic kid- die tools don't last. Help a little when they aren't looking. They don't have to know about every little weed you pull. The child's 'ownership' of the plot is what's important. When the harvest comes in, show off their work by sharing the bounty with friends and family. Getting Kids Growing Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown