Growing with kids 101

As much as it is easy to pop down to the garden centre and pick up some seedlings, sowing seeds is so much better and cheaper.

• Sunflower
• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Snow Peas
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Nasturtiums
• Bush Beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Zucchini 
• Strawberries

You don't need fancy equipment or special seed trays to get started, all you need is a suitable container. A recycled yoghurt pot, takeaway tray or other plastic container with holes poked in the bottom is more than suitable. Just make sure your containers are very clean. In the dirty world of gardening, hygiene is actually really important. You can also make paper pots or use paper-towel rolls and egg cartons, but be careful as they can dry out or rot easily.

Fill your pot with Yates seed-raising mix, gently firm it down without compacting it and moisten the soil. Don't make it too soggy. Leave it for around 10 minutes so the water is absorbed properly and any excess has drained away. 

Sow your seeds as deep as three times the height of the seed. Take the time to space the seeds well as crowded seedlings are at risk of disease because of less airfl ow around them. Also think about how many plants you will end up with if you just liberally sprinkle the seeds. Kids can help out here with the bigger seeds. This garden is a team eff ort and you don't have to do everything – but neither do the kids.

Tiny seeds just need a light covering of seed-raising mix. Check the seed packet for exact instructions as some don't like to be covered at all. The important thing is to make sure the seed has good contact with the damp soil so it can begin to grow.

Don't forget to label your seeds. Wooden ice-block sticks make great labels that kids can decorate.