Gardening Time!
Plant a small container garden using seeds, soil, and recycled pots; learn planting steps, care routines, and observe plant growth over time.
Step-by-step guide to plant a small container garden (Gardening Time!)
Step 1
Gather all your materials and bring them to a clean workspace.
Step 2
Wash each recycled container to remove dirt and old food.
Step 3
With an adult make a few small drainage holes in the bottom of each container.
Step 4
Put a tray or saucer under each container to catch extra water.
Step 5
Spoon potting soil into each container until it is about two thirds full.
Step 6
Read the seed packet to find the correct planting depth and how many seeds to plant.
Step 7
Place the right number of seeds into the soil in each container following the packet instructions.
Step 8
Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil so they are just buried.
Step 9
Label each pot with the plant name and today’s date using a marker.
Step 10
Water each pot gently until the soil is evenly damp but not soaked.
Step 11
Put the pots in a sunny spot that matches the seed packet light instructions.
Step 12
Every 2 to 3 days touch the top of the soil to check if it feels dry.
Step 13
If the soil is dry water each pot gently until the soil is damp again.
Step 14
When seedlings have two true leaves pinch out extra seedlings so only the strongest plant stays.
Step 15
Share your finished container garden and its story on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don’t have potting soil, recycled containers, or saucers?
If you don’t have potting soil, mix garden soil with compost and a little sand or perlite for drainage, and replace recycled containers with clean egg cartons or yogurt cups and use plates as trays or saucers.
My seeds aren’t sprouting or the soil stays soggy — what should I check?
Check that you made a few small drainage holes with an adult, that you only watered each pot until the soil was evenly damp (not soaked), and that seeds were planted at the depth listed on the seed packet rather than too deep.
How can this activity be adjusted for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, have them wash containers and spoon pre-filled soil and drop large seeds, while older kids can read seed packets, measure planting depth, label each pot with the marker and date, and pinch out extra seedlings when they have two true leaves.
How can we personalize or extend our container garden after planting?
Decorate or paint the recycled containers, create custom labels with the plant name and today’s date, try different seed varieties in separate pots, and photograph the growth to share the garden story on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to plant a small container garden
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Facts about container gardening for kids
♻️ Recycled containers like yogurt cups, tin cans, and milk cartons make great pots and help reduce waste.
🌿 Easy herbs like basil, chives, and parsley grow fast in pots and can be harvested within weeks.
🌱 Many seeds can sprout in just a few days to a couple of weeks — spotting that first tiny root is a big win!
🌞 Most container plants do best with about 6–8 hours of sunlight a day; if you're indoors, a bright windowsill or grow light helps.
🫙 Using a light potting mix and adding drainage holes keeps roots healthy by preventing soggy soil and root rot.
How do I plant a small container garden using seeds and recycled pots?
What materials do I need to start a small container garden with recycled pots?
What ages is container gardening suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for Gardening Time?
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