Children and Plants: Herb Growing
If you have a small child who constantly wants to play in the greenhouse or that wants to get involved in planting with you, here is an article that you are sure to love. It involves your child planting herbs in the greenhouse that he or she can watch grow over the days and weeks. They will be happily busy with their own projects, leaving your more delicate plants alone. Gardening does not have to involve hours of fixing plants after a curious child has been in the greenhouse, in fact it's a great way to create quality time with the kids in your life!

Posted Thursday, April 6, 2006

Herbs are easy and fast growing. Fast growing plants will keep your child interested in growing plants, and will keep them busy as they will have more gardening tasks as the plants begin to take off and grow.

Some of the best herbs that you can grow in the greenhouse include:

Chervil, which is a plant that will last only a year. This is a plant that you will start from a seed. The plant is a fern like plant, with broad leaves, and a bright green color. This type of herb is used in soups and salads.

Chives are used in all types of different foods. Chives are grown from a seed and will come back year after year as it is a perennial. Chives have a little of an onion taste, so if you have a picky eater, they might not like this herb.

Parsley is an herb that is used in all types of foods. Parsley doesn't really have a taste but is easy to grow. Grow parsley from a seed in a container, in the bright light. Parsley is bright green, can grow to be fairly tall, and after it is mature you can teach your child how to use it in cooking.

Sweet basil is another herb that is often grown in a container in the greenhouse. Basil is an annual plant that has shiny green leaves, and smells great. Basil is used in many types of soups, salads and even in omelets, so your child will have fun using what he grows!

Why involve so many different types of herbs when you want to occupy your child's time in the greenhouse? Each gardener finds pleasure in different types of plants. Some that smell, some that grow and fill in fast, and others that are useful. Your child will learn all about nature, how to plant and grow from a seed, while spending time with you!