A Child's Garden Bed

Have you got a "budding" gardener who loves to work outdoors but isn't ready to take over the whole backyard? Start them off with a planting bed of their own. A little planning will ensure the kind of good results that keep kids motivated.

Planning

Choose an area that can be seen from the house and street. This gives kids the chance to show off a bit and rewards the effort they put into the garden, which, in turn, makes them more willing to keep up their work. Ask the child what he or she wants -- big, showy flowers? Vegetables or fruit? Plants that attract butterflies or birds?

Plant choice

Natives and plants that will hold up under both neglect and over-attention are good choices. Perennials are often hardier and even if they die down early one season, they'll be back the next. Plant a selection that will bloom from early spring to autumn from primroses and snowdrops for early spring to mums in autumn to keep the child's interest all season long. If your child wants to share his or her hard work at the dinner table good candidates for easy-to-grow edibles include sunflowers, strawberries, and chives.

Planting design

Plants in pots set in the ground and surrounded by groundcover or rock mulch are the easiest to tend. Raised beds allow for easier reach and less mess.

Decor and accessories

Each young gardener can be given his or her own gloves and set of basic tools a small shovel and trowel. A child-sized table and chair set gives the child a place enjoy the garden with friends. Sign that says "Jenny's Garden" is a good way for a proud young gardener to show off to passing house guests.