Expert Advice: 5 Tips for a Family-Friendly Garden

Photography by Christine Chitnis

On late summer afternoons, blogger Christine Chitnis heads to her community garden plot to tend her vegetables–toddler in tow. “This part of my day is so idyllic,” she says. “Vik is such an easygoing soul, he’s happy to eat some dirt and hang out while I fuss with my plot.” Here are her secrets to creating a kid-friendly garden:

Tip No. 1: Let go of your expectations

Kids want to “help,” and that means plants will get uprooted, herbs over-watered, produce picked before its time, and pots knocked over, says Chitnis. All of which is a good thing. “By letting kids help, and giving them the space to get messy and make mistakes, you will nurture their love of gardening,” she says.

“Planting produce that your kids love is a no-brainer. But try planting a few things they claim not to like,” Chitnis says. “Once they help it grow, and pick it straight from the vine, they may change their minds.”

Tip No. 2: Plant vegetables and fruits that your kids like - and some they don't.

Rather than dividing lots visually with mown lawns or perimeter plantings, Sea Ranch properties blend into each other to create unobstructed views and a sense of spaciousness.

Growing vegetables in raised beds “is the best idea, in my humble opinion–the soil is so rich and the weeds so few,” she says.

Tip No. 3: Raised beds are your best friend.

Interior courtyards block wind from harming plantings and create serene, sheltered outdoor rooms for dining or lounging.

5. Outdoor Rooms

Record successes (and failures) that your kids can page through with you during the winter months.

Tip No. 4: Keep a journal.

“We all help in the garden and with the chickens,” says Chitnis. “Kids love chores that involve shovels, rakes, and other tools, not to mention hoses and watering cans.”

Tip No. 5: Make it a family affair.

For more garden inspiration, visit us at Gardenista: Garden Design 101

Check Out More Mobile Web Stories From Gardenista