How about starting a herb garden with your child? Thought it would be nice to share with the parents here and give you some ideas on how to cultivate your child’s interest in plants and nature.

If u live in a flat or apartment, then all u need is a small area to grow your herb garden. U can even use the corridor. Find a sunny spot for your garden with good/strong sunlight streaming in for at least 1/2 a day. Of course, if you live in a house with wide open spaces, then all the more better for the plants to thrive and grow.

Currently, my mini and humble herb garden consists of basil, rosemary, borage, sunflower and corn. I have been using the basil leaves and rosemary in my cooking. Intend to grow other herbs and plants soon.

You can buy ready potted basil, rosemary and borage at any nursery. As for the sunflower and corn, we buy the seeds from Cold Storage – or u can also get them at the nursery – and just grow them in pots.

When at the nursery, ask the staff to help u get the relevant pots and fertilisers. When growing sunflower and corn, must exercise patience. I think it took abt 2-3 months before we see the flower blooming and the corn budding.

In fact, my dd2 has taken great interest and fascination in nature and plants and she waters them diligently. Dh will help her with the growing and at the same time teaches her about plant care. It was nice watching father and daughter enjoying an activity together. Am proud to announce that the sunflower and corn are grown by her. When my basil and borage were growing "wildly", she even repots them for me into other smaller pots, on her own. 

Here are some pics…

Baby basil

Mommy basil

Borage plant

Rosemary plant

Teeny tiny baby corn

Budding sunflower

… and TA DA… our pride and joy,

Sunflower in full glory

My girls were very excited that the sunflower is blooming in time for VDay. Said that it’s their VDay present for their mommy…. awww…. 

Hope this will inspire some of u to start a mini herb garden with your kids too. In fact, it’s very therapeutic to see a bit of nature in the house. Balm for the soul, especially in this rat race world.