Getting the kids into the garden is a fantastic way to get them out of the house and expose them to all sorts of exciting colours, smells and tactile experiences, not to mention the satisfaction that comes from hard work, patience, and a little faith in nature. If you’re keen to get your kids planting but don’t know where to start, these three crops are unfussy and easy to grow. Just add water!

Radishes

Often cited as one of the best starter crops to grow with your kids, radishes take up no space and require very little soil prep. You can grow them in boxes or pop the seeds into the soil. But the best thing about radishes when it comes to child gardeners is that they sprout and grow relatively quickly, so your children will get to see the fruits of their labours sooner rather than later. Radishes come in a few varieties. French Breakfast is the usual choice, but your kids will love the more exciting Rainbow Mixed for an explosion of colour. They look so good on a plate… who knows, your child might even eat them!

Tomatoes

Tomato plants shoot up so fast, you might be able to see them growing in real time. This makes them great crops to grow with your kids, as it can be difficult to keep kids interested after the initial planting stage. You can plant your tomatoes in window boxes or hanging baskets or grow them in a greenhouse. If you don’t have a hot-house in your garden, check out your local Greenhouse stores. Your tomatoes (and kids) will thrive in that warm, sunny environment.  

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Spuds

The good old potato is a real hit with children if they can be patient enough to grow them. Tip: instead of asking if they want to grow potatoes, ask if they have any interest in growing chips… Once you’ve got your child on board, start by half filling potato bags with compost. Plant your seed potato in late February, early March. Wait for the green shoots to emerge, then cover the new greenery with a little extra compost. Wait for the shoots to push out further, then cover over with compost once again.

Keep going with this process until the potato bag is full. Aside from this, all you need to do is water the plants regularly. Wait 2 to 5 months, and get ready for a potato feast. You’ll notice the leaves begin to turn yellow and die. When this happens, get the whole family around for the big reveal. Let your children tip the bag onto the grass and break up the soil to find their potatoes. (And make sure you’ve got the fat fryer heating up, reading to make the promised chips!)

Modern Mums know that getting the kids to play outside is not always easy. While you might be desperate for your child to get a good dose of sunshine and a bit of fresh air, it can be difficult to impress upon little ones that going outside will do them good. The best (and sometimes the only) way to get kids to do what’s good for them is to make it fun and rewarding. And what could be more fun than planting, tending, harvesting and finally eating their own food?