Creating a great family garden ? Larger Family Life

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A well-planned garden is like an extra room around the house and can provide a range of benefits for families: a secure environment for children, a gathering place for friends and family and, potentially, a productive place where healthy fruit and vegetables can be grown. ?Used as a venue for parties, social gatherings or impromptu get-togethers, a garden can be invaluable for extending the space in the house and is equally precious as a place to get away from the bustle of a busy home.

Benefits

In economically challenging times, homegrown produce can be a good way of stretching the budget as well as providing nutritious additions to meals. ?Getting kids involved in a veggie plot or herb garden is a great way of encouraging them to sample new foods and also teaches them much about planning, patience and the rewards of a little hard work. ?Children will love helping to cook the food they grow and will especially love eating the meal in the garden afterward ? the wide range of outdoor furniture available means a garden table and chairs can be fitted onto most patios.

However, healthy living doesn?t just depend on healthy eating. ?An active lifestyle is also recommended, and a garden can provide a safe place for even very young children to let off steam and get some fresh air. ?Even without a lot of expensive equipment, kids will always find something to play with in the garden, especially if it means getting good and dirty.

Encouraging wildlife visitors benefits both the garden user and the environment. ?Bird feeders and baths will invite in a range of creatures that will entertain both children and adults and, in most cases, help control pests in an organic and ecologically sound way. ?Planting shrubs and flowers to tempt bees and butterflies can make the garden a magical place, while a pond provides water, food and shelter for amphibians, birds and small mammals alike.

Planning

Planning is the first step towards a family-friendly garden, and input from family members of all ages will make the end result a garden that suits everyone. ?Be realistic; think about the available space and only include features that will fit comfortably in the garden area. ?Crowding a pond, a barbecue, patio furniture and a trampoline together in a tiny garden isn?t sensible or safe.

Decide on the purpose of the garden: try to divide the space into a number of areas which can be used for different activities, such as play for the kids, relaxation for the adults, as well as for drying clothes and growing produce. ?Above all, a family garden should be practical ? opt for robust and hardy plants, sturdy furniture and play equipment, a hard-wearing lawn that will withstand rough play and ball games, easy-care surfaces to minimise work and useful storage sheds for gardening equipment and toys.

Safety first

Whatever features are included in a garden, safety should be a priority. ?Avoid plants with poisonous leaves or berries that could prove tempting to little mouths. ?Children should be monitored at all times when on trampolines, high swings and slides, or when near barbecues and around ponds ? cover water with metal grilles for extra safety to protect very young children and toddlers.

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Source: http://www.largerfamilylife.com/2012/11/12/creating-a-great-family-garden/

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