Budding Gardeners

Introducing children to gardening may seem a daunting prospect, but it will provide them with a hobby which will keep them busy (with any luck) while young, get them out into the fresh air and hopefully provide them with an interest for life.

Choose a small area especially for their use; let them dig over the top soil and select their own plants for growing.

Sunflowers are great because they grow quickly so you can take measurements pretty much every couple of days. The flowers are large with friendly, open faces and a really lush colour. They can also dry the seed head to provide seeds for hungry birds. Children also like to grow pumpkins; they are fast growers and produce a fruit in time for Halloween.

Add a couple of plants to encourage butterflies such as buddleias and aubrietia. Children also appear to like pansies and plants they can eat such as strawberries!