Fostering Children's Interests in Gardening

Despite the rapidly growing interest in children's gardens and attention to the positive benefits of gardening for children, little is known about the ways in which young people actually form interests in gardening. Using a sample of 9- and 10-year-old children at a school garden site in New York State, this study examined the ways in which gender, length of time working with the garden project, different types of gardening activities, and garden skills learned influenced interests in gardening. Regression analysis indicated that gardening skills had the strongest effect on gardening interest, followed by participation in planning and management activities, gender, and length of time. The total effect of planting activities was small. Adults working with school- and community-based children's gardens should identify ways to engage children and youth more fully in all phases of garden design, implementation, and maintenance. Attention also should be given to ways to involve boys. Additional research should...