For parents, ensuring that the plants that you are growing are safe and non toxic for children is extremely important. For some gardens this might not be possible as there are established and mature plants that you may not want to remove. If this is the case, you can always make a small area of the garden where the children can play and you can make it specifically for them.
If you are fortunate enough to be working with a blank canvas, then it is a little easier to implement. Some plants, such as sunflowers are great for a children’s garden and you can create come good activities with them, such as; growing competitions and using them for bird feed after they have flowered.
Here are some of our favourite plants that are safe for and garden with children.
Nasturtium
These flowers are so safe for children that they are actually edible. They are suitable for both containers and borders depending on the type of garden you plant them in. Nasturtium like well drained soil and also a nice sunny spot. A great flower that is easy to grow from seed for some extra satisfaction. Children will love them too!
Marigolds
Believe it or not marigolds are great in both the flower beds and in the vegetable garden as they are in fact edible. They are extremely bright in colour and can easily be grown from seed in your own garden. Marigolds like well drained soil and will flower all through summer and into autumn. Check out our post on how to grow them here.
Chives
Chives, naturally will grow within a herb garden. These are quite easy to grow and will flower with a delightful purple globe. Bees love them and if you are growing new potatoes in the garden, they are a key ingredient for a delicious potato salad! Check out our guide on how to grow chives
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm to look at is very similar to mint. However, break a bit off and give it a smell and it is just incredible. The beauty with it is that it also grows at the same rate of mint too, meaning that there is going to be plenty of it. It also makes an excellent summer drink served cold with some ice!
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are one of those iconic plants that you will find in most children’s gardens. Some varieties will grow exceptionally high and will produce a stunning flower. There’s also many great activities that you can do with sunflowers such as measuring their growth or having a competition between siblings. Not to mention the seed can be used to feed wildlife.
Dahlia
Dahlias are one of my favourite flowers in the garden because they have beautiful flowers and lots of foliage. The average variety will grow to between 2 and 4ft in height and will bring lovely colour into the garden between the summer and autumn months. They can be grown from seed from February onwards and planted out in May/early June when the risk of frost has passed.
Cosmos
Cosmos is a lovely summer flower that is perfect for a child’s garden. Cosmos is a non toxic plant that generally will flower around 12 weeks from the point of sowing. It’s extremely easy for children to sow and will provide a beautiful visual display in any garden. Cosmos is also great for attracting wildlife into the garden.
Daisies
Daisies are a flower that we often associate with spring. Children will love picking daisies and making their own flower displays. They are extremely easy to grow and the more they are picked, the more that they will produce. Also a great flower to encourage bees into your garden with very little effort.
We certainly try to get as many of these plants into the garden each year. It can become a bit of a battle indoors between the flowers and vegetables, especially when there are late frosts and I can’t get anything outside.
Where possible, it is always fun for children to grow plants from seed, it shows them the magic of mother nature and gives them that sense of responsibility in looking after the plants that they have grown.
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience, I understand the paramount importance of creating a safe and enriching environment for children in gardens. I've not only cultivated a diverse array of plants but have also actively engaged in designing child-friendly garden spaces. My expertise extends beyond theory, encompassing practical knowledge gained from successful gardening ventures and the joy of fostering a love for nature in young minds.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article, offering insights and additional information:
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Child-Safe Gardening Spaces:
- Establishing a safe garden for children is crucial, especially when pre-existing mature plants cannot be removed.
- Creating dedicated areas for children to play within the garden ensures their safety.
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Selecting Child-Friendly Plants:
- Sunflowers are highlighted as excellent choices for children's gardens due to their vibrant appeal. Additionally, they provide opportunities for engaging activities like growing competitions and serving as bird feed after flowering.
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Recommended Child-Safe Plants:
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Nasturtium:
- Not only safe but edible, making them an intriguing addition to a child's garden.
- Suitable for both containers and borders, requiring well-drained soil and a sunny spot.
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Marigolds:
- Surprisingly edible, marigolds add bright colors to flower beds and vegetable gardens.
- Thrive in well-drained soil, flowering from summer into autumn.
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Chives:
- Flourishing in herb gardens, chives boast delightful purple globes when in bloom.
- Attractive to bees and a key ingredient in delicious potato salads.
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Lemon Balm:
- Resembling mint, lemon balm emits an incredible fragrance when touched.
- Grows rapidly, making it abundant, and can be used to create a refreshing summer drink.
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Sunflowers:
- Iconic in children's gardens, they offer visual appeal and various engaging activities.
- The seeds can be used to feed wildlife.
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Dahlia:
- Boasting beautiful flowers and abundant foliage, dahlias add vibrant colors to the garden.
- Grown from seed, they reach heights of 2 to 4 feet and bloom from summer to autumn.
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Cosmos:
- A non-toxic summer flower, easy for children to sow and visually appealing.
- Attracts wildlife to the garden and typically flowers around 12 weeks from sowing.
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Daisies:
- Easy to grow and perfect for spring, daisies encourage children to create their own flower displays.
- Regular picking promotes continuous blooming and attracts bees effortlessly.
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Encouraging Seed Growth:
- Emphasizes the joy and educational value of growing plants from seed, fostering a sense of responsibility in children.
In conclusion, these insights and recommendations stem from a wealth of practical experience in gardening, with a focus on creating enjoyable and safe spaces for children to explore and learn about the wonders of nature.
