Family gardening is blossoming as parents in North Carolina introduce their children to the joys of nature. During a recent visit to see her son, daughter-in-law, and 18-month-old grandson, Pam Baxter observed a growing desire in her grandson to explore the outdoors. His enthusiastic requests for “walk-walk” or “go outside” prompted adventures filled with discovering fallen leaves, acorns, and the textures of plants.
Baxter noted that in just two weeks, her grandson’s curiosity for the natural world had flourished. They transformed their outings into treasure hunts, collecting items for a small collapsible bucket and exploring a makeshift “forest” created by tall banana plants. This outdoor time inspired Baxter to think about introducing her grandson to gardening, just as her son had enjoyed during his childhood.
Discovering an opportunity, Baxter identified dried lily stems in the backyard that were perfect for the young child to grasp and pull out. Each stem added to a growing pile of sticks, marking what she believes is the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for gardening. She envisions future visits to her home in Kimberton, where her grandson could help with vegetable gardening, creating lasting memories.
With her background in landscape design, Baxter approached her son and daughter-in-law with a proposal to install waist-high containers for growing vegetables. This idea was met with enthusiasm from both parents, who recognized the potential for their son to engage with gardening at a level suited to his age.
She suggested planting child-friendly vegetables, including sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce. Each of these options has relatively fast germination times, making them ideal for young gardeners. For example, sugar snap peas can sprout within 7-14 days and be ready for harvest in 50-70 days. Cherry tomatoes follow a similar timeline, sprouting in 7-14 days with a harvest time of 50-65 days.
Baxter also included carrots, which take longer to germinate but are rewarding to harvest, along with bush green beans and colorful radishes, which can germinate in as little as 3-10 days. While she expressed some reservations about the spiciness of radishes, she acknowledged her grandson’s adventurous palate, mentioning his enjoyment of cooked onions.
As the project takes shape, Baxter is excited about the prospect of her grandson’s involvement in gardening. She emphasizes the importance of creating an engaging experience for children, noting that gardening fosters a love for nature and an understanding of where food comes from.
Families interested in gardening can consider similar activities to cultivate their children’s curiosity about the environment. By integrating plants that are easy to grow and care for, parents can create a nurturing space for their children to learn and explore.
For those seeking guidance, Baxter is an organic vegetable gardener based in Kimberton, Pennsylvania. She encourages families to reach out with questions or to share experiences. Her book, Listening to Nature’s Voice, is currently available on Amazon for those interested in further exploring the relationship between gardening and nature. For more information, visit her website at pamelabaxterbooks.com.
