Plant a perennial garden
Plan and plant a small perennial garden using seeds or starter plants, learning soil preparation, planting techniques, and ongoing watering and care.
About this activity
Plan and plant a small perennial garden using seeds or starter plants, learning soil preparation, planting techniques, and ongoing watering and care.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose a sunny or partly sunny spot for your perennial garden where your plants will get several hours of light each day.
- 2
Step 2
Measure and mark the size of your garden area using the measuring tape so you know how much space you have.
- 3
Step 3
Remove grass leaves rocks and weeds from the area so the garden bed is clear.
- 4
Step 4
Dig and loosen the soil about 8 to 12 inches deep with your shovel so roots can grow easily.
- 5
Step 5
Mix compost or organic matter into the loosened soil using the shovel to make the soil richer and fluffier.
- 6
Step 6
Plan where each seed or starter plant will go using the spacing directions on seed packets or plant tags.
- 7
Step 7
Decide whether you will plant seeds or starter plants so you know which next step to follow.
- 8
Step 8
If you chose seeds then make shallow rows or small holes at the depth on the seed packet and place the seeds into the soil.
- 9
Step 9
If you chose starter plants then dig a hole slightly larger than each root ball and place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
- 10
Step 10
Gently press soil around each seed or plant with your hands to remove big air pockets and secure them.
- 11
Step 11
Water the whole garden area gently but deeply until the soil is evenly moist.
- 12
Step 12
Spread a thin layer of mulch around the plants leaving a small gap at stems to keep moisture in and weeds down.
- 13
Step 13
Label each plant with its name and the planting date using the plant labels and marker.
- 14
Step 14
Make a simple watering and care schedule on a calendar and ask an adult to help you follow it.
- 15
Step 15
Take a photo of your finished perennial garden and share your creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you plan and plant a small perennial garden with a child?
Start by choosing a sunny, well-drained spot and a simple layout together. Test and loosen the soil, mixing in compost. Pick easy-care perennials or starter plants, spacing them per tag instructions. Show kids how to dig holes, place plants or sow seeds, backfill gently, and tamp soil. Water thoroughly, add mulch to retain moisture, and set a simple care schedule for watering and weeding. Celebrate with labels and a drawing of the garden plan.
What materials do I need to plant a child-friendly perennial garden?
Gather starter plants or seeds, a trowel and shovel, kid-sized gloves, compost or well-rotted manure, mulch, a watering can or hose with a gentle spray, plant labels and a waterproof marker. Optional but helpful: a soil test kit, measuring tape or string for spacing, a kneeling pad, and a small notebook for notes. Use child-safe tools and non-toxic mulch for a family-friendly setup.
What ages is planting a small perennial garden suitable for?
This activity can work for ages 2–16 with tasks matched to ability. Toddlers can water, feel soil, and plant easy seeds with supervision. Ages 4–8 can help dig holes, plant starters, and label beds. Ages 9–12 can plan layouts, measure spacing, and learn soil amendments. Teens can take responsibility for seasonal care and research plant choices. Always supervise sharp tools and teach safe lifting and sun protection.
What are the benefits of planting a perennial garden with children?
Planting perennials teaches responsibility, observation, and patience as plants return each year. It builds fine and gross motor skills, basic science (life cycles, soil, pollinators), and environmental stewardship. Garden projects boost mood, provide outdoor exercise, and encourage healthy eating if edible perennials are included. It also creates long-term family pride and a living classroom where kids can track growth and seasonal changes.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead if we don't have a measuring tape, shovel, compost, plant labels, or mulch from the instructions?
Use a string and two stakes to measure and mark the garden area, a garden fork or hand trowel to dig 8–12 inches, well-rotted leaves or bagged topsoil mixed with kitchen compost as organic matter, painted stones or popsicle sticks and a permanent marker for plant labels, and shredded leaves or newspaper as mulch.
My seeds aren't sprouting and some starter plants look droopy—what steps in the instructions should I re-check to fix this?
Re-check that you dug and loosened the soil 8–12 inches and mixed in compost, planted seeds at the packet depth or placed starter plants with the root ball level with the soil, gently pressed soil to remove air pockets, watered deeply until the soil was evenly moist (not waterlogged), and left a small gap between mulch and stems to prevent rot.
How can we adapt this perennial garden activity for different ages so it's safe and fun?
For younger children have an adult choose a small pre-dug patch or container and let them help remove weeds, press soil around starter plants, spread mulch, and label plants, while older kids can measure and mark the bed, dig 8–12 inches, mix compost, follow seed packet spacing and depths, and make the watering schedule and photos for DIY.org.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize the garden after following the basic planting steps?
Enhance the bed by painting and personalizing plant labels, adding a rock border or stepping stones, planning companion or pollinator-friendly perennials when you space plants, keeping a photo growth diary and a color-coded watering calendar, and sharing the finished garden on DIY.org.