[DavidT]

Just been given a brief, it is as follows. Enthusiastic, fresh approach to gardening. We aim to show children different ways to garden, from window boxes and tomato plants, to carrots and potatoes. Along with other creative approaches to growing things..We need original, ideas  to inspire young children ( 3 to 5 years of age ) towards organic gardenining. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Yorkie]

There's been quite a few threads over time on children / school gardening; might be worth having a search for them.

I'd generally suggest things which grow quickly and are fun e.g. beans, tomatoes, salad leaves (lots of different varieties), cress in egg shells, perhaps sunflowers or other plants.

If it's in the context of a school setting, consider harvesting times compared to holiday times.

[sunshineband]

Who on earth gave you that brief, David 

[DavidT]

A television presenter. She was given it by a tv producer. It is meant to be a television series along the line of the Mr Maker arts and crafts show for 3 to 5 year olds. 

[sunshineband]

Mr Maker eh   

I think you might be looking at growing a Potato Head (not personally you understand  ) or mustard and cress in an eggshell, or even growing a carrot top tree 

[DavidT]

It has to be original, and organic. I don`t think it will work, myself. If it was 7 to 10 year olds it would be a differant matter. You could set them up with mini allotments.

[sunshineband]

None of those suggestions meet the brief and all I can think of that is orignal and organic (and will work in the time scale that wold appeal to a three year old    ) is planting cress seeds that grow to make a face shape on the soil ....


and that is the best I can do there   :blink:

[stentman]

Former pop singer Kim Wilde has her book "Gardening with Children" we have used it, to generate an interest in gardening with our two cherubs, good book. It (in my view) has lots of Mr Maker type things to do and nice gardening projects for kids to have a go at. Well worth a look.
ISBN No. 0-00-719311-4

[dizzylizzie]

Painting faces on plantpots, then growing cress hair.....i agree with Sunshineband, there are not many things that you can grow that could keep a 3yr old attentive enough to see it through!
Potato heads, radishes, beans(jack and the bean stalk).....i dont think sunflowers grow quick enough for most 3yr olds...of course there is alway the exception to the rule

[DavidT]

I agree with you all. it is a hard ask. At that age they want to play in the mud. 

[Roll Roll]

How about peas. You can't go wrong sowing them. All the kids should recognise a "pea " as a seed as well as the end result.

 They could have a plant each and race them up the caine. See who wins the race?? It a bit of intrest untill the pod develops.

[DavidT]

Thanks for that roll roll, I`ll pass it on to the lady concerned. She has a meeting with the producers on Tuesday so, fingers crossed.