Starting garden beds with kids - am I setting myself up for failure? | DadHQ

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Starting garden beds with kids - am I setting myself up for failure?

Jan 10·1 min read

My wife keeps pushing for us to do a garden with the kids this spring. I love the idea in theory but I'm worried it's gonna be a project that requires constant nagging and I'll end up doing it all myself while my 6yo and 8yo lose interest after week two. Is this a realistic concern or am I being cynical? What actually works for families with young kids who have the attention span of goldfish?

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Comments(5)

CConnorNew DadJan 12

Buy a cheap drip irrigation timer and it changes everything. Kids don't have to remember to water and you're not stuck doing it manually every single day in summer.

PPete Y.RegularJan 12

We did this last spring with our 5 and 7yo. The kids lost interest by mid-June and guess who got stuck watering everything? Definitely do it only if you're willing to maintain it yourself.

RRobertNew DadJan 13

Gardens are actually perfect for kids if you keep expectations real low. Let them just dig around and pull things up. Don't expect them to water consistently or remember what they planted.

AAlex T.New DadJan 12

My wife has been asking for the same thing and I've been dragging my feet. Seeing everyone say the maintenance falls on parents is validating my concerns.

SSean P.New DadJan 13

Start with something super easy like cherry tomatoes or zucchini. Kids lose their minds when they pick something they grew themselves even if it's technically inedible because they overwatered it.

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