Handbook for Budding Little Gardeners

To download the ebook, click here

“The ambition of this book is to empower children to build a more sustainable, greener and kinder future.“

People ask me, “What has gardening got to do with Diversity, Inclusion, Culture and Equity?”

And here is my answer:

Gardeners and happy families are generally responsible, caring, and nurturing people who have learned the value of being kind, patient, forgiving, and inclusive. The world would be a better place if there were more gardeners! My mission is to create a global movement of young gardeners and families spending quality time together.

I am totally committed to creating a global community of young gardeners, one child at a time.

Photograph: setting up a stall in my front garden, offering plant cuttings, rescue plants, homemade organic compost and recycled plant pots.

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Handbook for Budding Little Gardeners in action:

Gardening is a great way for children to learn about the world around them. This book teaches them about the basics of life, like how plants grow and what they need to survive. It also teaches them about responsibility, as they have to take care of their plants and make sure they are healthy.

Here are some of the benefits of gardening for children:

It teaches them about science. Children learn about the different parts of a plant, how plants grow, and what they need to survive.
It teaches them about responsibility. Children have to take care of their plants and make sure they are watered, fertilized, and protected from pests.
It teaches them about patience. It takes time for plants to grow, so children learn to be patient and wait for their plants to bloom.
It teaches them about the importance of caring for other living things. Children learn that plants are living things that need to be cared for, just like animals.

Why gardening is good for children:

Gardening is also a lot of fun! With this book, we will show you how to make cute pots for your pet plants from things you have in the house (old egg cartons, broken tea cups) and plant food from scraps.

You will also learn about rescuing plants!

About the book

“It’s kind of magical to grow stuff!”

A beginner’s guide for children and their parents to grow something together, learn about nature and reap the emotional benefits from gardening.

Handbook for Budding Little Gardeners makes it simple for non-gardeners to embark on this magical journey. From choosing the right home for your pet plant to discovering the perfect plant for you, you will find everything you need to know in this book about growing things (and you don’t even need a garden).

Woven into the pages are inspiring little facts about plants and wildlife, as well as things to look out for when you are gardening to ensure that you and your child get the most out of your experiences together.

Handbook for Budding Little Gardeners guides you through:

Understanding our Plant Friends – what plants need (and grow your science, technology, engineering, art and maths (STEAM) skills.
Choosing your first Pet Plant – there are so many on the planet, each with a different personality, but what works for you?
Building a home for your Pet Plant – creative projects with recyclable materials.
Caring responsibilities – what you need to do as a Plant Parent.
Plant Rescue – How to Save and Care for a Plant.

Raise your first pet plant successfully with Handbook for Budding Little Gardeners.

Harness the magic of gardening — a deeply satisfying and nurturing way for you and your child to bond, have fun, and so much more!
Spending time together outdoors can help improve your child’s emotional regulation, impulse control, self-awareness, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.
Gardening and growing things together is one of the best ways for neurodiverse children to relate to the world around them.
Play-based learning experience to calm and relax a hyperactive/withdrawn child and to wean them away from their screen dependency.

The perfect gardening book for children and their parents, teachers and carers. (And adults who just want to grow things but don’t know where to start).

Is it really possible to grow food in containers?

Yes, of course (and it is fun!). These are SOME of the things I grow in containers that are edible – check out the rainbow Swiss chard, baby carrots, herbs and edible flowers.

For pizza. Olives, tomatoes and basil growing happily in containers. You just need to add cheese!

Something else totally different:

Here’s a fun little story about Stanley, the rescued cheese plant:

It’s really cool to rescue plants and give them a second chance in life! This short YouTube clip is about a cheese plant called Stanley, who was rescued and taken to a new life in London.

Check out Cactus Pete’s woes: https://cheeseplantbooks.com/2023/09/20/cactus-pete-and-his-smelly-feet/

To download the worksheet about Cactus Pete, click here.

To download the ebook, click here

Getting started

Plant workshop for Budding Little Gardeners

Vlod, the green cheese plant, being curious at Norbet, the scarlet polka dot begonia who looks like a dragon. Come and learn at the container gardening with children workshop.

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please email bigcheese@cheeseplantbooks.com