Easy things to plant

[zeke08]

I have a 4 yr old who loves to dig and mess in the dirt I was wanting to plant some items that would be easy for him to tend and grow to introduce him to gardening? Any suggestions would greatly appreciated!

[LunaticFringeInc]

Just about any type of warm weather bean should work like a champ.  Something that might prove far more captivating to a child would be Water Melon or Pumkins.  When late summer arrives you get the treat of a succulent water melon to enjoy as an afternoon snack.  The pumkin could be later turned into a Jack O Lantern as an added benefit.  Another item that might prove to be a nice project as well would be the Bird House Gordes.  Grow a few of these and then make a couple of bird houses for the sparrows around the homestead.  Might make for a great learning experience in the process.  Bout all I can think of...

[wtxbadger]

You might try radishes. They are easy to grow and mature pretty quick.

[Empty Quiver]

Sunflowers are pretty darn hardy, they get big, impressively so. Then you can either harvest and roast or leave them out for the birds all winter. Second on my list is pumpkins or any winter squash, they need lots of space though and can be devastated by bugs early, a real dissapointment. Avoid sweet corn needs lots of room for the yield, green beans aren't too bad either, the seeds are big and they won't be easily dropped.

[hillbill]

green beans are fun if he likes to eat them, seems like one day they are a inch long and a couple days later they are ready to eat.radishes are mprob the easiest to grow but often to spicy for the yung ones.lettuce grows good and fast also.

[pmeisel]

Collard greens are pretty hardy and you don't have to harvest all at once,

[blind ear]

Bush Lima beans produce well until it gets hot. Climbing beans do the same. A good time to "lay the garden by" for the kids. ear

[zeke08]

Thanks so much for all the great advice! I will try to get this dang computer to work right and post some pics of the lil farmer lol

[keith44]

ditto radishes and sunflowers, beans only if he likes em.  add to that potatoes.  a couple seed potatoes (cost less than a buck) could show him how a little becomes alot.  As in plant a seed and reap the fruits.  Turnips are another thought, greens, and globe are good eatin'

[zeke08]

Found this out today sure y'all already know but a man(customer) at Tractor Supply said he build round fences 2' in dia and 4' tall lines it with mesh fills with dirt plants potatoes then when there ready he undoes the fence and they just fall out!  I am going to try this lol

[charles p]

Go with some plants you can obtain from a garden store.  Grandson might not have the attention span to wait for seeds to sprout.

[Victor3]

Can't go wrong with tomatos. Just for fun, you could plant some upside down out the bottom of a hanging pot. We did that last year.

[zeke08]

Ok I got tomato's planted in 5 gal buckets and couple pepper plants for me lol But the question is I got pumpkins, gourdes radishes onions squash green beans and the wife wanted cabbage and cucumber and sunflowers my plot is 13 x 30 so how should I lay out my plants/seeds? I was thinking beans on one end to crawl squash cucumber pumpkins on the other end sunflowers along one side so as not to block the son and other stuff in the middle but this may be all wrong would love some advise

[bilmac]

Doesn't make a lot of difference what you plant where. You have the right idea, keep the big plants from shading little ones.  Watch your potted tomato plants, they can go dry in a hurry when the plants get big and the weather gets hot. Next year and thereafter you will want to rotate things around in the garden. Growing the same things in the same places all the time promotes diseases.

Kid likes to dig in the dirt huh, sounds like dads garden to me. You may be glad you did it, inflation is hitting hard at the grocery store.

[zeke08]

Haha nopie I am sure it will end up being mine but after getting advise on what to plant I gave him a choice and he picked them all (yes he is somewhat spoiled but considering how sick he has been I don't care) My dad used to grow 2-3 1/2 lb tomato's in 5gal buckets every year I get regular ones and yes I water every morning unless its raining lol

Little turd dug a 3' x 3' hole in the middle of the garden last night lol oh well he's happy and healthy