CHILDREN’S HERBSCAPE

Children love hiding places they can call their own, so why not grow such a place for summer daydreaming in the garden.  Select a sunny corner of the garden or yard where the child can do as they please and let them help choose the herbs they want to create their very own space. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of ideas to get you started include either a Scarlet Runner Bean teepee formed with bamboo poles and twine (instructions)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or a room with “Mammoth” sunflowers (instructions) or multi-colored Indian popcorn as the walls – just don’t forget to leave an opening for the door.  You can even plant white clover for a thick carpet for the floor. 

 

 

 

Then select additional herbs to form a surrounding garden to add color, fragrance and texture such as bronze fennel, catnip, chamomile, dwarf dill, dwarf sunflowers, lamb’s ear, mint and thyme, plus edible flowers such as calendula, chives, nasturtiums and pansies for an afternoon snack.  A few alpine strawberries would be a sweet treat also.  Remember plants with large seeds are the easiest for small hands to plant, but even 2 and 3 year olds can help plant purchased seedlings too.     

 

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”
Psalm 24:1-2