This is a sponsored guest post.
With today’s kids being wired up pretty much 24/7, it can be tough to sell them on the merits of the great outdoors. But there’s nothing I love more than digging around in the dirt – and it’s full of great learning opportunities, and ways to be creative as a family. Whether you’re growing veggies that you’re going to eat fresh, or you’re inviting the local wildlife in with a selection of gorgeous flowers and beautiful trees and bushes, there’s so much to experience with your own family garden. It’s a great way for the kids to get in on DIY projects, too, from building furniture, to raising their own plants, to arts and crafts opportunities.
Make A Plan (Together)
The best way to build a family garden is to share the work together. It’s a great way to learn about nature and it will get the entire family involved. If you’ve never gardened or tackled a big DIY project together, it’ll help you build a pattern for all the work to come. Decide who will take on what, and make a plan. If it is your first DIY project, here are some basics you’ll need:
- Power tools, including a Li-Ion cordless drill, drills and a screwdriver head. Do some research to learn the features you’re looking for, and don’t forget to look into the best chainsaw for cutting firewood. You can lower the energy costs to your home, and clear away any brushes, brambles, or trees that are crowding out your garden!
- Garden Fencing to ensure your beautiful garden remains thriving and is not devoured by wildlife.
- Paints and brushes
- Spirit level
- Gardening tools like a hoe, rake, spade, and safety gloves. You’ll also want to invest in some outdoor gardening clothes, like hats for protection from the sun, and overalls you don’t mind getting muddied up.
- Finally, you can buy your flowers, pots, and decorative ideas!
Incorporate Everyone’s Ideas
Have a chat with your family about the garden, and what you’ll use it for. Are you looking to plant a herb garden? Some vegetables? Or will you stick to flowers? Choosing what you’ll plant in your garden can be a lot of fun, but it isn’t the only thing to consider. There should be space in your outdoor paradise for the whole family. Depending on your family, that could mean a covered porch for reading, a water table or sandbox for playing in, or a lattice or fence full of the family’s outdoor art projects. Talk to your family about what everyone is looking for.
Have Reasonable Expectations About Your Space
Don’t forget to think about the practicalities. A garden full of wildlife sounds peaceful, but make sure your bins are covered. Mosquito netting can help fend off bugs in a porch area, making it easier to relax. You can even do research about what the best flowers and plants for your area is, and work accordingly to create your ideal space. Finally, keep things safe for every member of the family by avoiding pesticides. Instead, opt for more natural pest treatment, such as concentrated citrus, garlic, mint, and even ladybugs!
DIY It
Your yard is just as much a personal expression of your style as the inside of your home. So put your own stamp on it! Sites like Pinterest are loaded with inspiration for DIY projects for your garden, whether you’re looking for the perfect trellis, DIY lawn furniture, or a great craft to keep the kids busy in the afternoon. Turn your garden into a place of creativity in more ways than just your flowerbeds, and you’ll soon find it the perfect source of inspiration to come home to. Choosing DIY can also save you a ton of money. You can make a countertop garden for your dining table. Making hanging lantern lights out of bottles is a lot cheaper than buying them online, and if you have some skill will power tools, creating lawn furniture is a great project to keep your hands busy throughout the year!
Have Everyone Pitch In
Gardening is an ongoing project, and everyone in the family has a job to do. To truly make it a family project, you need to go in with the mindset of creating an enjoyable space for everyone, but you also need a clear idea of who can do what. A garden is a great excuse to teach the kids about how to take care of the environment, and how things grow. The little ones can help you weed, water, and take care of plants, and spruce the place up with some kid-friendly crafts. Planning it as a communal space where everyone pitches in can help you avoid the moment when you realize that it’s Mom and Dad doing most of the work.
I love anything that gives my kids the chance to get outside and explore. And we’ve found that even in our own backyard, there’s plenty to see. With a family-friendly garden, both you and the kids have plenty to do, see, and create together, above and beyond the memories.
