Why Gardening Is Not Really About the Kids
January 22, 2020 
Parents are looking for activities that get their kids outside and away from electronics. Why not hook them on gardening? It’s a great activity they can share with their kids.
I was walking with some horticulture friends from Missouri through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in early November. The leaves were falling. The colors were handsome, and there were still many plants in flower. We soon found ourselves in the new Children’s Garden where parents and grandparents were enjoying the autumn sun.
Then, I spied two things at about the same time.
First, I saw three kids, with their moms, running around and enjoying the garden. At the same time, I noticed a vine with large swollen fruit. It was not a red tomato or an oversized gourd, but a plant called Canavalia. It was not colorful but was crying out to be noticed — because it had a story to tell.
I asked the moms if their kids knew the story of Jack and his beanstalk, and they nodded uncertainly, but they sure did. I beckoned the kids and moms over and asked if they remembered what Jack received in return for the cow he was supposed to sell. As one, they yelled, “Seeds!” And then I asked what grew from those seeds when the mom angrily threw them out the window. As one (including the moms), they shouted, “A beanstalk!” By this time a small crowd had gathered, all smiling and wondering what was coming next.
I climbed a small bench and pulled off one of the beans from the “Jack” vine, and when they saw its enormous size, their eyes were like saucers. I knew the kids would love them, but I had my eyes on the reactions of the parents. As I guessed, they were enthralled that their kids were so engaged. I handed a large pod to one of the kids, then I removed a second and gave it to another. I told him to hit it against the bench as hard as he could to find the seeds inside. This was a highlight because now the crowd was engrossed in watching this young boy hammering the pod to within an inch of its life. He was having a ball and so were we. After a good half dozen blows, the pod split open, and I showed the beautiful pink beans within. When I asked the kids to pull some out, they looked like they had discovered gold. They, and more importantly, their parents were beaming, as was the gathering of people around them.
It’s About the Parents and Grandparents
I have no doubt the kids will tell their friends about this experience and show them the evidence. Kids love sharing their experiences with their friends. But the real moral of this tale is that the parents will cherish seeing their kids excited about something other than a screen, and they will tell other parents. In fact, I expect those parents to bring their friends back to Jack’s beanstalk tomorrow.
Getting kids into gardening is not really about the kids at all. It is about getting the parents and grandparents excited with their kids. Children’s gardens are wonderful tools, but we still have to get the kids there. If we get the parents, and more importantly, the grandparents, enthusiastic, then the kids will come.
It doesn’t have to be Jack’s beanstalk; heck, show them eyeball plants (Acmella) or taste a bit of its leaf (grandma will be spitting behind the hedge, and of course, the kids will have to try). It is also called a toothache plant because it makes the salivary glands extra-active — thus the spitting. Show some bat-face plants (Cuphea), have them smell stinky Dutchman’s pipe, or watch their faces turn red as they taste an ornamental pepper. And teach the parents, grandparents, and kids how to make the pig squeak (Bergenia). Kids will love it, but it is the parents/grandparents who will be the catalysts for gardening for young people.
Lastly, as a follow up to this story, my colleague and former student, Elizabeth Curtis, shared her concern that her kids, and so few others, were oblivious to the joys of plants. And she felt parents would love to have their kids involved, but really did not know how. My response to her was similar to this column — we must excite the parents before we excite the kids.
Elizabeth has started a program called Root Awakening in Georgia, a program for parents and kids to make plants a family affair. She would love to hear your thoughts. I would, too. Leave a comment below.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
