Included in my post on gardening with children was the tip to allow children to have their own garden. Below is Andrew’s garden. He picked out all of the flowers himself and helped plant them.
It is heavy on orange flowers because one of our gardening rules is that he is only allowed to pick orange flowers: 
Allowing a child to pick out their own flowers, teaching them their names, and discussing the plant’s growing needs is a great way to pass on gardening skills. I don’t have a picture of his garden since it has filled out, but I have snapped a couple of close ups of the Black Eyed Susans:
We have come to a compromise on my son’s “favoritist flower ever”: Gerber Daisies. Since his favorite flower is an orange Gerber Daisy, he is technically allowed to pick them. However, he is always very sad that they don’t last long after picked (and carried all over the yard). So I have planted his Gerber Daisies in little pots that he can carry with him without doing much damage. 
This solution makes us both very happy. Well, except for the fact that he now carries my container garden all over the backyard, but I am trying to remain philosophical about that.
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Maureen says
Whatever it takes! The art of negotiation!
Rebecca says
sweet!
I love the pics, your philosophy, and your follow through.
Gardening in a Sandbox says
A junior gardener in progress. He is so cute.
Alison says
Oh, he looks like such a sweetie! He looks so cute with his nose in that Gerber daisy. My "Little One" has flown the nest (he's 28), but you have great ideas for getting kids interested in gardening.
Alea says
Oh Vickie, I am so happy to see you here! I didn't know that you started blogging again, but I am so excited to catch up. Going to spend the afternoon reading A Day on the Urban Farm.
vickie says
He is getting so big and he is so cute-I love your rule about which flowers to pick.
vickie