Hey everyone! My seven-year-old niece has developed a strong passion for gardening, which is so wonderful to see given the challenges she's faced. She's been mostly focusing on flowers and even grew a pumpkin! This year, she went from planting seeds to arranging flowers in a vase, and I want to help her keep this enthusiasm alive through the winter. We've tried the cardboard grass suppression method in her garden, planted some tulip bulbs (though I'm worried it might be too early), and we're excited to receive ranunculus corms soon. We also dug up and stored some gladiolus bulbs and she's harvested echinacea seeds! Plus, she's got her eye on practically every flower in the seed catalog for her Christmas list. I plan to create a gardening kit for her birthday in March with tools like a trowel, shears, and gloves. We've even got a compost tumbler, which she loves! I'm looking for advice on fun winter projects that will keep her interested in gardening and tips on high-success plants, especially since zinnias were a big hit. If you have any book or show recommendations for a young gardener or practical steps we shouldn't miss during the coming months, that would be fantastic! Any suggestions for crafty garden decor projects would also be appreciated!
3 Answers
How lovely that she's getting into gardening! Starting seeds indoors after Christmas is a good move, especially for varieties that take longer. Maybe get some seed starter mix and trays. If she loves cooking, herbs like basil and dill might be a fun project too, and you could grow them inside during winter!
If she enjoys growing from seeds, Cosmos could be a great choice! They're easy to grow, thrive in poor soil, and the pollinators love them. Plus, they keep blooming until fall if you deadhead them!
You might want to consider growing some amaryllis bulbs—they bloom with big red flowers right around the holidays! It's a fun way to add some color during the winter months.
And don't forget to check out local seed libraries if there are any nearby! You can get seeds for free, which is a great way to experiment without spending a lot.