Though the days are shorter and cooler, we New Mexicans are still blessed with sunny days and mild weather through autumn and winter. And, although we tend to think of gardening as a summer activity, our climate allows – even encourages – year-round gardening. For children, winter gardening can be a surprising and fun way to enjoy the outdoors. And, who knows, maybe they will even eat those delicious, healthy cold-weather crops! Winter is also the time to plan for the spring and summer garden. There are many projects to keep families busy before planting.
While many plants will survive the winters in northern and central New Mexico, the summer heat may eventually get to them. Children and parents can research together the cold and heat hardiness of plants online or at the library. Local nurseries can answer questions as well. Researching plants for your garden is the first step.
For a child's garden, pick easy-to-grow plants that grow quickly, look pretty and smell great. Herbs are a good place to start because they flower quickly, are nice to touch and smell, and can be grown easily in pots or in a garden plot. Herbs can be used in cooking or crafting. They can be bundled and tied for a simple, lovely gift. Basil, rosemary and lavender grow well here, as do oregano and thyme.
If you have a fruit tree in your yard, your children have already seen how the tree leafs out, puts out blossoms and then fruit. They have probably seen birds and bugs coming to eat and spread pollen. With vegetables in a garden, the same process can be seen, but at kid eye-level. In November, and even into mid-December in warmer areas, there is still time to get some cold weather crops in the ground. You can plant or transplant veggies like beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, peas and spinach into protected areas that are sheltered from too much wind or snow. Older kids can help build cold boxes which protect plants from frost and kids of all ages can help decorate with outdoor paint.
And don't forget the flowers! In November you can plant spring blooming bulbs and into December – or as long as the ground isn't frozen – you can transplant such bulbs and flowers as chrysanthemums, calendula and pansies. Think about planting colorful, easy-to-care flowers in the spring and summer. My young daughter had a fantastic petunia garden this year which thrived in the New Mexico sun. Consider edible flowers like nasturtiums, too. You can start some flowers indoors during the cold months. As soon as the last frost passes, marigolds can be planted in pots or in the garden. They can be started on a sunny window sill in the winter. Marigolds are hearty and pretty, but they are a little stinky. Plant them with vegetables in your garden to keep the bugs off your edibles and to add some color.
In addition to taking care of the winter garden, children can spend chilly days getting ready for springtime garden work. After deciding what plants they want to grow in the warm weather, they can draw garden designs and make plant identification markers or stepping stones (kits found at most craft supply stores).
A garden need not be rigid lines of plants. Gardening with children should be creative and fun. Plant a pizza garden with tomatoes and all the herbs for homemade pizza sauce; a garden to attract birds and butterflies; a striped garden with rows of green veggies alternating with food and flowers of other colors. Plant a border of tall sunflowers for hiding behind and later for feeding backyard birds. Give children their own small raised bed and let them select their own plants – or wildly scatter seeds to see what happens. Start growing from seeds on window sills so kids can watch the seeds sprout before transplanting outside.
We eat all year from food grown all year. Big grocery store chains, high tech methods and fast transportation allow us to eat peaches in winter and spinach in the summer. But there is nothing like eating fresh garden-grown food in season. Children (and grown-ups) can learn so much about food, biology and more from tending a garden. Whether it is a simple pot of dill, a plot with tomatoes and chiles for homemade salsa, or a whole back yard brimming with fruit trees, herbs and vegetables, gardening is a fun, educational and tasty activity for all ages.
For the coldest days of winter, when wind and weather have driven you inside, try these books for more ideas and information:
Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy
Green Thumbs: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening by Laurie Carlson
A Kid's Herb Book by Lesley Tierra
The Gardening Book by Jane Bell
A Child's Garden by Molly Dannenmaier
Burpee's The Complete Vegetable and Herb Gardener by Karan Davis Cutler
Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes by Baker M. Morrow
