I'm trying to start a garden with my kids, but I'm no expert—I even have a plant that my mother-in-law had to repot for me! I have a plan to create two long planter boxes to put on the patio steps, one for flowers and the other for food, ideally a colorful variety. I'm really clueless about what's easy to grow, how to pair plants together, and what requires the least care while being outdoors. Any advice would be appreciated! I'm located in Pennsylvania, if that helps anyone with suggestions.
3 Answers
Aiming for a rainbow might be a challenge, especially as a beginner. However, there are plenty of fast-growing plants that kids love, such as carrots, marigolds, radishes, peas, spring onions, and zinnias. These are generally low maintenance—perfect for new gardeners. Marigolds, in particular, might bring back memories of when I was growing up; they were the only plants my mom could keep alive!
Absolutely, starting a garden is doable! Just keep in mind that matching a rainbow display might be tricky because different plants bloom at different times. Make a habit of checking the soil daily and watering as needed; soon you'll get a feel for it and might find you only need to water every few days. If you have a dollar store nearby, grab some seed packets, usually they have a good deal. Even seasoned gardeners make mistakes, but something will definitely grow! Personally, I've had great luck with sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes; my kids love those too!
Omg I didn't know the dollar store had seeds! Where are my car keys?!
The success of your garden depends a lot on how much sunlight that area gets. You’ll want to research the specific plants that thrive in your conditions. A good tip is to pair vegetables that grow well together; many are easy to maintain. Just remember they need space, decent soil, light (both direct and indirect), and of course, water. You might consider using an automatic watering system, but since your spigot is close, a simple hose or bucket will work too. Plus, it's a great activity for the kids—gardening is all about experimenting and learning together!
Haha, marigolds were the go-to for us too!