Collaborative post by another author. Some children love to assist their parents with little chores around the home. They may especially enjoy getting to spend time outside and doing some garden work. Alternatively, older children may be required to help out as part of their basic contribution to house work. Depending on the age of your child, they may be able to take part in the care of the hedges that adorn your property.

Teenagers

Should you not currently have hedging present in your garden, you might want to think about purchasing some. Your teenager may be able to help you look through Laurel hedging plants in different sizes to pick out those that would best suit the space available. They could also potentially assist with planting them, especially if you opt for a larger variety that could require two, or more, people to safely put into place. This could also provide you with an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with your teen, and open up communication about what is important to them in life, while you dig, hold, and bury your hedges appropriately. If your teen is relatively trustworthy, they may also be able to help with the trimming and cutting of the hedge when the time comes.

Preteens and older children

An older child may not have the strength or dexterity required to help with planting or cutting, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be involved. You may be able to get gardening sets suitable for children that they can use to help care for the hedging. They may be able to help remove weeds that have sprouted up near the base of the hedge, allowing your plants to gain as much water and nutrients from the soil as possible. Should you want to put down any fertiliser, mulch, or additional nutrients, this may also be something that an older child is capable of doing.

Younger children and toddlers

A very young child may not understand the dangers associated with using tools, or even how to use them correctly. Therefore, they might need to be given more basic jobs to do with hedge care. A simple way of involving them could be to have them deal with the disposal of waste. When weeding or trimming the hedge, they may be able to pick up the clippings and deposit them in your garden waste bag. However, it is important to remember that some hedging can be poisonous or prickly. Regardless of whether or not gloves are used, you may want to ensure that your child washes their hands properly once you are done, or if they want to go to the toilet or get a snack. Doing so alongside them can help to make this part of your general gardening routine together.

Maintaining your hedges alongside your children can help them to learn to respect their garden a bit more. At the same time, this can also provide you with a wonderful opportunity to introduce age-appropriate chores, and even spend a bit of extra time together.