Get kids into gardening

SWAP screens for soil and get growing this National Children’s Gardening Week, which runs May 23-31.

That’s the message from British Garden Centres who say gardening builds patience, sparks curiosity, and gives children a sense of pride that’s hard to match.

And they’ve come up with some gardening and outdoor activities that everyone can try, regardless of the size of their space.

- Make a seed bomb: all you need is clay, compost, and wildflower seed. It’s a messy, hands-on craft that ends with a literal bang. Parents and kids can throw their creations into any bare ground and watch as they sprout into colourful havens for bees and butterflies.

- Grow your own food: Start a family veg patch with speedy crops like cress, lettuce, and radishes as they offer almost instant rewards, making them perfect for curious kids. And, kids are more likely to try something they’ve nurtured themselves from a tiny seed.

- Plant a sensory garden: transform a small corner of your plot into a sensory wonderland. By choosing plants like fragrant lavender, fuzzy lamb’s ear, and edible mint, you can create an interactive outdoor space that sparks imagination.

- Make your own wormery or compost heap: all you need is a simple bin, a few hungry worms and some kitchen scraps to turn into high-quality compost. It’s a fascinating, slightly squirmy way to teach kids about the circle of life and show them exactly how nature recycles itself. Who knew kitchen waste could be so interesting?

- Mini sunflower growing competition: plant a seed, watch it shoot skyward, and see whose grows tallest by autumn.Simply take a photo of your sunflower and its height and post it on social media, using the hashtag #makeitbloommini.

Visit www.britishgardencentres.com/make-it-bloom/ for more information and more inspiring gardening tips.