Instilling a love of gardening (or at least an appreciation of gardening) at a young age is something that not many adults can say they had the pleasure of introducing to kids. In a tech-focused world, it can be hard to introduce gardening basics to children, but with these top 5 kid-friendly plants, you might be able to encourage an appreciation for gardening and for the green world around them. And who knows, you might even have some budding green thumbs on your hands! 
Shasta daisies – Is there a child alive who doesn’t want to run right over and pluck a daisy out of the ground? Shasta daisies can often been seen growing alongside of the highway or roads, but ask your local garden center if there are specific varieties that they recommend for growing in your own backyard.
Petunias – Petunias offer a wide variety of gorgeous colors and are so low-maintenance that you can plant them in a container and forget about them for a couple of days and they’ll still do well. Teach kids how to deadhead petunias and watch them get enjoyment out of helping you as well as the positive effects when new blooms emerge.
Zinnias – Like Petunias, zinnias offer plenty of colors to choose from. Recommended for beginning gardeners, they’re a tough annual that simply require full sun, well-drained soil with rich organic matter mixed in. Zinnias come in both single and double flower varieties, and are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Sunflowers – Sunflowers are a favorite for kids with their hearty, giant heads and sunny yellow petals. Sunflowers germinate very easily, so you can have kids start the seeds indoors to see how fast they sprout. Teach them to harvest the seeds or have them watch birds and other local wildlife feast on them.
Lamb’s Ear – Have you ever watched a child touch the leaves of Lamb’s Ear? This plant’s leaves are soft and fuzzy, and kids will get a real kick out of rubbing them against their skin. Lamb’s Ear tolerates sun, shade and even drought and bloom from early summer to frost, providing enjoyment for months at a time.
Grab your kids and bring them by Whispering Springs Nursery so we can help you find these or other plants that are perfect for tiny gardeners. We can’t wait to hear about their new favorites!
Photo courtesy of Flickr.
