Tools
Colourful, good quality tools are bound to entice children to want to have a go at gardening, especially if they haven't had the chance at home. Don't be afraid to let children play at tending the soil - it's less likely to put them off than rigid instructions on how to dig and it will help them learn the basics.
Brio's Percy the Park Keeper range of metal and wooden gardening tools (pictured above left) are designed with heavy use in mind: the 'working'
parts are made from epoxy-coated steel and the shafts and handles are lacquered and assembled with heavy-duty screws.
All the tools are suitable for four-year-olds upwards and the range includes a hand rake and fork, a hand trowel, a hand shovel, a long-handled broom, shovel, spade, rake and leaf rake, metal pails in blue, red or green, a wheelbarrow and a metal watering can. Prices from 2.99.
Telephone 01509 231 824 www.brio.net
Toys R Us has a whole new range of child-sized gardening tools with wooden handles and metal implements. A long-handled spade, rake and broom are priced 9.99 for the set, short-handled tools are priced 2.99 each, while a wooden trug with padded kneeling mat is priced 5.99. A tool bag with gloves, a window box with seeds and a whole selection of items with Winnie the Pooh and Disney Princess themes is also available.
The wood and metal range is suitable for five-year-olds upwards while the Characters range is for three-year-olds and above.
Telephone 0800 038 8889 www.toysrus.co.uk
Great Gizmos also stocks two sets of gardening tools: the Kid's Gardening Set includes a short-handled trowel, rake and fork in bright blue, red and green steel with wooden handles, priced 3.99; the Kid's Garden Tool Set (left) includes a long-handled wooden spade, hoe and rake with brightly coloured metal implements, a pair of gardening gloves and vinyl carrying bag, priced Pounds 16.99.
Telephone 01293 543221 www.greatgizmos.co.uk
Letterbox stocks a Gardener's Set which includes a metal and wood spade, trowel and fork, a metal watering can and a primary coloured canvas holdall with pouches for storing seeds and accessories (pictured left). The bag measures 30cm in length and the set is priced at 12.99.
Telephone 0870 600 7878 www.letterbox.co.uk
Wheelbarrows
Children are more likely to want to 'own' their plot if they are properly equipped. Once you've acquired enough tools for them all to have a go, it's a good idea to bring in some wheelbarrows so they can transport seeds and tools and store things in between sessions.
The wheelbarrow from Great Gizmos is made from reinforced steel and comes in bright red with a black frame and metallic 'rest'. The wheelbarrow measures 31 x 12 inches, is suitable for three-year-olds upwards and is priced 20. A 'classic' style pull cart is also available in this same range, priced from 20.
Telephone as above
For children who really prefer to play at gardening, the Mookie Garden Wheelbarrow set is worth considering. The wheelbarrow has a round-bellied shape and is made from moulded plastic with curving handles and an easy-to-push, chunky wheel. This wheelbarrow comes with a selection of 'tools', including two flowerpots, shears, watering can and a rake. Price 11.99 from Mail Order Express.
Telephone 08700 129 090 www.mailorderexpress.co.uk
Kettler's wheelbarrow (pictured above) has a bright red metal barrow that is polyester coated to be longer-lasting. It has a high-strength frame made from galvanised steel tubing, and a large wheel with a wide tread for ease of use. Price 12.99.
Telephone 01527 591901 www.kettler.co.uk
A Wheelbarrow & Garden Tools set from Letterbox includes a heavy-duty metal barrow with a tough plastic wheel and firm-grip rubber handles, plus a wooden-handled metal trowel, fork and spade. The wheelbarrow is 50cm long and the set is suitable for four-year-olds upwards, priced 15.99.
Telephone as above
Furniture
While the gardening area should not be confused with the playground, it is important to make the environment as inviting as possible. Extra seating to encourage children to wait patiently and take turns, or simply to admire their hard work, is always useful.
The Rainbow Chair is new to Great Little Trading and is designed to fold down flat for easy storage. Made from solid wood, it is the seven shades of the rainbow and is priced 22.99.
Telephone 0870 850 6000 www.gltc.co.uk
Scaled down deck chairs in bright colours add to a jolly mood, and these are available from Letterbox, 52cm long with a safety catch and long lasting canvas seats. Suitable for four-year-olds upwards, the deckchairs are on special offer at 9.99, reduced from 12.99.
Telephone as above
You'll need somewhere to store your gardening equipment so you can get at it quickly. The Garden Tidy (top right) is made from high grade pine that mellows to an attractive honey brown with age. The tidy measures 90(h) x 120(w) x 70(d)cm and is treated against rot/fungal and insect infestation with non toxic-liquids so that it is guaranteed for ten years. Priced 195 from Great Little Trading.
Telephone as above
Raw materials
If you don't mind encouraging a bit of competition, or perhaps you wish to set up an observation project and record the results, you could try the Young Gardener's Plants In A Bucket (pictured above). These come as Sweet Strawberries, Tasty Tomatoes or Green Beans and with each set you get a different coloured tin bucket, the seeds, compost, labels, germinating pots and dishes. Each bucket is 14cm high and the sets are suitable for four-year-olds upwards, priced 6.99 from Letterbox.
Telephone as above
Bringing the garden indoors, you might want to consider a Root Viewer Kit.
This consists of three Perspex test-tubes that allow you to see the roots develop from sprouting through to harvesting. The kit comes with a wooden stand, compost, seeds for growing an onion, carrot and radish, plus a journal for recording progress. Priced 7.99 from Letterbox.
Telephone as above
GARDEN KNOW HOW
By the time the children reach you they should have had a tetanus jab, but you should check that this is the case for all of them before you begin gardening sessions. Gloves are a must when handling soil - Brio stocks children's garden gloves in two sizes, 5 and 7 inches, priced 2.99, or you could buy a pack of disposable gloves. Children should get into the habit of washing their hands after every session.
