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It’s a joy to see the garden wake up after winter. Daffodils and Crocus are peeping their heads above the surface of the soil providing an amazing dash of colour in gardens, hedgerows and even along the roadside. But, spring is also a busy time in the garden with May perhaps the busiest month. Tools are dusted off, gardens are pruned, tidied and weeded, vegetable beds are dug, fed and sown with the first seeds of the year, lawns will get their first cut and pots and containers are planted up with colourful and cheery spring flowers or a wonderful variety of vegetables.
Planting vegetables in garden planters, whether they are made of wood, metal or plastic provide the perfect receptacle for children to take their first steps into gardening. Wooden planters is a versatile way of growing edible crops in the school or nursery playground where space is limited. Wooden planters are ideal for growing a whole host of vegetables including carrots, radish, broad beans, spring onions, tomatoes and even herbs.
Children can take a huge amount of pride planting the seeds and watching them grow. They learn about which is the best compost to plant their seeds in. Then when they have been planted they learn to water the planters and pull out any weeds which may have taken root. Once the vegetables are ready they can harvest them and after having cleaned them can enjoy the fruits of their labours as they use them in a meal.
Using planters, like wooden planters within the school and nursery environment allow children to experience where some of the food they eat comes from. It allows them to appreciate from a young age that growing food like vegetables whilst hard work can be hugely rewarding.
But wooden planters are also ideal for growing flowers. The best flowers for containers are “annual” flowers sometimes known as bedding plants. Plants such as begonias, marigolds and pansies are ideal for planters and are easy for children to grow and tend. Children learn to water the flowers but also remove the dead flowers to encourage new flowers to bloom and grow.
Wooden planters come in a vast array of sizes and different shapes. They provide ideal raised beds so can be accessed by all children, even those in a wheelchair. They are pressure treated against rot and can even be painted or stained. Within our wooden planter range we even have a garden express train and a tractor garden which add a real ‘wow’ factor to the playground. As well as nurturing the plants and vegetables in their care, children may also be fascinated by studying the insects found in the soil. It is a great way for teaching them about the benefits of worms for example and the important job they provide in the garden.
But planters are not just made from wood. Our metal planter range is a collection of innovative, easy to assemble zinc alloy shapes that offer endless hours of healthy outdoor learning for children of all ages. Many of the items can be assembled in different configurations which can lead to some amazing layouts.
Within our range we also have a set of 4 primary planters which are made from heavy duty plastic. These colourful planters allow individuals or groups of children the chance to have their own space in the garden. They are perfect for flowers or a range of healthy vegetables or herbs. So whatever you decide to help the children grow this spring, we are sure to have a planter that is just right for your school or nursery setting.
Originally written 3 May 2016