Ahead of the RHS Flower Show Cardiff, Eve, whose young son Elijah has been gardening since he was a baby, says it’s crucial that children are educated about where their food comes from and to enjoy family time that gardening brings.
And while encouraging your youngster to get involved in the garden is easier said than done, the mum-of-one has plenty of suggestions to help you.
Grow herbs
According to Eve, herbs are fantastic as they engage children through the smell, touch and taste of them. She suggests you try baking a cake with them or showing the kids how to use oregano on their spaghetti bolognese.
Start with easy planters
She also suggests you start off with easy plants and vegetables that children can see grow such as potatoes, strawberries, cress, daffodils and sunflowers.
“Potatoes are great fun as you literally dig a hole in the soil, throw one in and cover up. You need to encourage your child to keep earthing up around it and, when it’s ready, the children absolutely love digging out the new potatoes,"she says.
Don't let the weather get you down
And considering the weather is not the best here, Eve insists you don't allow it get in the way of gardening together.
Speaking from experience, the 27-year-old said: “It was too cold and wet to go outside one evening, so I covered my kitchen floor with a plastic sheet and we planted seeds in trays on top of it. Before Spring gets fully underway you can do little things like that so that the seedlings are ready to plant out as soon as the weather warms up.”
Why not take your kids along to this year’s RHS Flower Show Cardiff, where you are sure to find plenty more inspiration on how to grow together.
Taking place from Friday, 17th - Sunday, 19th April, there are plenty activities for children including flower arranging, willow weaving, tree climbing, fossil finding, as well as getting close to nature on the adventure trail.
For more information or to buy advance tickets for the RHS Flower Show Cardiff, click here.
