CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Get them growing and inspire the next generation of gardeners

Dobbies celebrates National Children’s Gardening Week 29th May - 6th June 2021. It’s the perfect time to nurture children and grandchildren’s interest in the great outdoors.

Get them growing and inspire the next generation of gardeners

Article Source: Dobbies
Last Updated: 25 May 2021 12:56

Get them growing…Inspire the next generation of gardeners

Dobbies celebrates National Children’s Gardening Week 29th May - 6th June 2021

The benefits of being in nature have many positives and spending time in the garden is a great way to encourage less screen time, in a calm, plug-free space.

As National Children’s Gardening Week returns this May (29th May – 6th June) it’s the perfect time to nurture children and grandchildren’s interest in the great outdoors.

Not your average garden centre, Dobbies is on a mission to inspire everyone of all ages to have a grow - no matter the size of your garden. Not only that, but they are encouraging families to use sustainable products and practices. Sharing expert advice and ideas for National Children’s Gardening Week, Dobbies Horticultural Director Marcus Eyles said:

“With the return of warmer weather, it’s a busy time in the garden, with young plants maturing, seasonal flowers in bloom, and plenty of wildlife to watch out for. There are many easy to grow plants to get little ones interested. Sunflower growing competitions always cause lots of excitement to see whose plant can grow the tallest!

“Passing down both knowledge and a passion for gardening to future generations is so important, as there are many valuable life skills that can be learned in the process. From practicing patience, to learning about the science of growing and sustainability - the garden naturally combines learning with playtime.”


Ideas to get them growing…

Grow your own – Edible plants to grow now

There are plenty of easy fruit and vegetables to grow, plus many that don’t require much space at all, with containers, window boxes and wall planters all making great mini vegetable gardens and some varieties, such as tumbling cherry tomatoes, growing happily in hanging baskets.

GYO is an ideal way to introduce your children to the enjoyment of growing their own food, broadening their understanding of where the food we eat comes from and also how easy it can be to grow many everyday items on your doorstep.
• Lettuce Little Gem (Strip £2.99)
• Tomato Moneymaker (9cm £1.49)
• Cucumber Snack Mini (Strip £2.99)

Nurture nature, plants that will support garden wildlife
• Dahlia (1L £3.99)
• Bidens Bee Dance (1L £4.99)
• Lavandula Hidcote (2L 9.99)

Jungle – create your own Jurassic Jungle
Children will love to grow their very own garden jungle, the perfect backdrop for little explorers to play in!

Outdoors:
• Phoenix canariensis (£9.99)
• Phormium ‘Brown Sugar’ (3L - £18.99)
• Fargesia assorted (2L - £19.99)

Indoors:
• Monstera – Cheese plant
• Dypsis – Parlour palm
• Microsorum – Crocodile fern
• Cacti & succulents – easy to grow favourites
• Delsperma – Pickle plant
• Aloe vera
• Mimosa pudica – commonly known as a sensitive plant, it shrivels up when you touch it then relaxes again after a few mins – children will be in wonder of it!

Why not give them their own patch in the garden?

Family gardening is on the rise. This involves splitting up your patch, so children can have a dedicated area to care for; a raised bed can be an ideal solution for this. Get them involved from the beginning by adding personalised signs and finding out what they would like to grow. From sunflowers to carrots, there are plenty of easy-to-grow plants and vegetables.

Wildlife spotting

A brilliant way to get children outside and to learn about the natural world around them – plus a great chance to talk to them about sustainability and the important of environmentally-friendly products. One of the simplest activities is to spend time watching for visiting birds and keeping a tally of how many you see together. Throughout the year they will start to notice different species of garden birds and you can help to encourage them by setting up a bird feeder or installing a bird house. Making bird food is a fun and messy play activity for the weekend!

Go to dobbies.com/podcasts to listen to the ‘Gardening with kids’ podcast.

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
One Ren
Paisley Town Hall Wedding Fayre
Paisley First

Latest Renfrewshire News

Renfrewshire launches Summer of Fun free activity programme

Renfrewshire launches Summer of Fun free activity programme

The new free summer activities programme for Renfrewshire children, young people and families is now available.

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Thousands turn out to celebrate Sma Shot Day 2025

Thousands turn out to celebrate Sma Shot Day 2025

Thousands turned out to enjoy a day of fantastic live entertainment at Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations on Saturday!

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Jason Manford to play Paisley Town Hall as part of tour

Jason Manford to play Paisley Town Hall as part of tour

Comedian, actor, singer and presenter is latest big name to announce date at venue.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Set sail for Paisley and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas!

Set sail for Paisley and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas!

Ahoy there mateys! The Pirates of Paisley is this year's must visit FREE summer brick adventure!

READ MORE
Paisley Town Hall bells mark Imagination Library becoming permanent

Paisley Town Hall bells mark Imagination Library becoming permanent

Much loved reading programme, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Renfrewshire, celebrated becoming permanent with bell chimes.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
Crowds celebrate the summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Crowds celebrate the summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Thousands turned out to celebrate summer at Barshaw Park on Saturday for Barshaw Gala Day.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Grab your free reusable cup!

Grab your free reusable cup!

Fancy grabbing a free reusable takeaway cup and then getting a discount on your next drink from some of our local cafes?

READ MORE
Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust to create brand new artificial pitches in Renfrewshire

Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust to create brand new artificial pitches in Renfrewshire

Two major community sports projects in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a significant funding boost.

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Refurbished play park is a big success with local pupils

Refurbished play park is a big success with local pupils

Pupils from Auchenlodment Primary School in Johnstone gave their refurbished play park a big thumbs up after it underwent a major upgrade earlier this year.

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Clan Wrestling returns to Braehead Arena with former WWE Champions

Clan Wrestling returns to Braehead Arena with former WWE Champions

After their first event in March, Clash of the Clans, Clan Wrestling makes its return to Braehead Arena on Saturday 6th September for its second event!

READ MORE
Renfrewshire invited to honour Armed Forces community

Renfrewshire invited to honour Armed Forces community

The Armed Forces Day flag will be raised outside Renfrewshire House on Friday in a short service to mark Armed Forces Day.

READ MORE
Works set to be undertaken to restore historic Kilbarchan Steeple buildings

Works set to be undertaken to restore historic Kilbarchan Steeple buildings

Councillors have agreed a £350,000 contract to carry out repairs to the historic Kilbarchan Steeple Buildings.

READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

READ MORE
Young people to choose their winners as Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund voting opens

Young people to choose their winners as Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund voting opens

Voting has opened for this year's Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund as young people get the chance to vote for the projects they think will make the most difference in their communities.

READ MORE
Get set for summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Get set for summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Crowds are set to soak up the summer vibes at Barshaw Gala Day with an afternoon packed full of exciting activities for all the family!

READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

READ MORE
XSite Braehead accelerates into summer with a major car event

XSite Braehead accelerates into summer with a major car event

On Saturday, 28th June, Chrome 'n' Classics will host its annual event in the XSite car park for the first time – showcasing over 200 classic, custom, American, and vintage cars!

READ MORE
Programme revealed for the 2025 Sma Shot Day celebrations

Programme revealed for the 2025 Sma Shot Day celebrations

Paisley town centre will host a day-long programme of entertainment this summer to celebrate Sma' Shot Day – one of the world's oldest worker's festivals.

READ MORE
Ready, Steady, Go! Paisley CarFest is back this weekend!

Ready, Steady, Go! Paisley CarFest is back this weekend!

Paisley's CarFest is returning to Paisley town centre this Saturday, 14th June, with a fun day out for all the family guaranteed!

READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

READ MORE
Star supporting Gary Barlow visits Kibble kids in Paisley for music session

Star supporting Gary Barlow visits Kibble kids in Paisley for music session

Rising music star and Channel 4's The Piano winner Brad Kella visited Kibble's Goudie Academy to meet with care-experienced young people, share his story and inspire the next generation of musicians.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

The Quay
One Ren
St Columba's School
Link
ATG
Hostelworld
Go Radio

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
One Ren
Paisley Town Hall Wedding Fayre
Paisley First
The Quay
One Ren
St Columba's School
Link
ATG
Hostelworld
Go Radio

Popular Events

Su Pollard - Still Fully Charged
Su Pollard celebrates 50 years in showbiz with a one-woman variety show packed with fabulous songs, hilarious stories, and much-loved characters! Catch her at Beacon Arts Centre on 8th October!
Crown Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Crown Ballet return to Paisley Town Hall in October to enchant you with the delightful production of The Nutcracker, a wonderful treat full of glitter for the whole family!
Sleeping Beauty
There is nothing quite like the joy of a pantomime and the Beacon Arts Centre are looking forward to welcoming you to Sleeping Beauty this festive season!
Mark Black - Horrible Family
Having amassed millions of views online, as well as sold out shows at the SEC Armadillo and Pavilion theatre, Mark Black is back with his dark wit and an array new songs for 2026!
Boogie & Brunch at IKEA Glasgow (Adults Only)
Get ready to take a chance on the most joyful brunch of the season... introducing ABBA Brunch at IKEA Glasgow!

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley