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A successful garden hinges on a few things: a location that’s well-prepped, the right nutrient-rich soil, proper watering, pest control and of course, enough sunlight.
The more of these boxes you tick, the easier it’ll be to plonk seeds in the soil and reap the rewards. That said, gardens can also grow in less-than-favourable conditions too, so don’t let it stop you and your kids from having a go!
Cutting down your grocery bill is just one benefit of growing an edible garden (anyone else noticed just how expensive herbs are at the moment?)
Perhaps an even better reason is that gardening’s great for fussy eaters. Growing your own food is a practical, hands-on activity that inspires curiosity and creativity – so with any luck a picky kid could feel motivated to try fruit and vegetables they’ve helped bring to life!
Here are a few seeds or seedlings to look for:
These are juicy, easy to grow and irresistible when hanging from the vine! Kids need to choose a spot that gets direct sunlight for 6–8 hours a day, and use fresh, free draining soil. Water every morning (aim for the base of the plant and the surrounding soil, not the foliage) until fruit appears, but don’t overdo it!
Learn more about growing tomatoes
Peas are a short-lived plant, they’ll do well in a sunny and breezy spot – and seeds should be sown in autumn and winter if you live in warm area (in colder areas, don’t sow until after winter frosts). You’ll need a climbing frame, and to keep the soil just damp.
Learn more about how to grow peas
Carrots are a family favourite – as crunchy sticks in the lunchbox, in a stir-fry, or roasted with honey alongside a baked dinner. Better yet, they’re quick to grow, making them a good crop for your tribe to try. Opt for full-sun, open soil and not a lot of moisture. Carrots can be grown in a planter, just make sure you choose a deep one as carrots are root vegetables and need space to grow in the soil.
Learn more about how to grow peas
These are a great way to introduce kids to gardening – and a delicious snack that might not even make it into the kitchen. It’s easy to plant strawberries in hanging pots or baskets and watering is best done carefully, so you don’t wet the foliage too much.
Find out how to grow strawberries
Bringing beauty to your garden with non-edibles and flowers may be something your kids prefer over growing fruit and veg. Here are some of our favourites:
These tall beauties bring a pop of colour and fun to any garden and they’re simple for kids to grow. Fertile, well-drained soil is essential, as is 6–8 hours of sunlight per day. Plant in early spring or summer and you’ll have flowers in 8–10 weeks.
Read more about growing sunflowers
Nasturtiums are a rambling, beautiful cottage garden flower that grows in most soils, producing trumpet-like flowers in summer and autumn. Make sure your kids water it well as it establishes itself, then you can reduce to once a week. Nasturtiums can spread, so consider growing these in a pot or planter.
Learn more about how to grow nasturtiums
Marigolds are a colourful flower and a great starter plant for children. Sow in a sunny, well-drained garden bed that’s in full sun or part shade, water well when hot and you’ll be rewarded with bursts of gold, orange, red, white and bronze blooms.
Find out how to grow marigolds
Once kids become confident in the garden and get the hang of nurturing different kinds of plants, you might not need to supervise too much. However, for little ones who like to touch and taste everything, you’ll want to steer clear of certain plants when mapping out your garden.
Ouch! To ensure curious kids can’t get injured while playing in the garden or potting plants, avoid planting roses, cacti, bougainvillea, hawthorn and any succulents with pointy spikes such as agaves.
Even a tiny sample of a poisonous plant can make your child sick – so it’s best to remove any that pop up. And, avoid planting common or pink oleander, Angel’s trumpet, Yuccas, bulbs, Grevillias, Asthma Weed or Peace Lilies. Also exercise caution planting edibles like chillis, given tasting or touching can cause pain!
It’s worth doing some research to avoid plants that take time to grow – they’ll just frustrate little ones with shorter attention spans! Some slow-growing edibles include pumpkins and potatoes, while perennials like hardy geraniums can also take longer to reach maturity.
Want more? Check out ‘chaos gardening’ – a fun, relaxed way to create a garden that will surprise and delight visitors young and old.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
