Dig up some fun for kids; WEEKEND: GARDENING: TV GARDENER KIM WILDE TALKS ABOUT THE JOY OF GARDENING WITH CHILDREN.

Byline: ANN EVANS

YOUNGSTERS like nothing better than getting mucky and playing with water - so what better way to encourage them to do something healthy, educational and fun than getting them busy in the garden? ANN EVANS finds out how.

THERE can't be a better activity for youngsters than a spot of gardening.

It gives them fresh air and exercise, helps them discover how nature works and encourages them to find out that food doesn't always come pre- packed from supermarket shelves.

And if children get that gardening bug early on in life, it is likely to stay with them forever.

If you have the space in your garden to allot a small plot to your children or grandchildren, choose somewhere easily accessible and visible so you can keep an eye on them.

If you don't have space, some tubs and pots can be just as much fun.

Do the preparation on the soil for them, making sure there's nothing nasty or sharp lurking in the soil, as kids will want to get straight on to the fun bit of planting.

It's best to use an organic compost so you can be sure there is nothing toxic or harmful as little fingers usually go straight into little mouths.

Pop star-turned-expert gardener Kim Wilde knows how important it is to get youngsters in to the garden. She is never happier than when she's in her garden with her two children, Harry and Rose.

She has written Gardening with Children, a book packed with practical ways to get your children interested in the garden.

"I'm out there a lot of the time and they like to be around me," she says. "If they see that mummy's got her hands in the dirt they always want to do that too.

"If you are in the garden doing things, just give them an area, some pots, some compost and some little children's tools and they will have a bit of fun and feel like they are participating."

Suitable plants to start them on include sunflowers, which have large seeds perfect for little hands, alpine strawberries, which are easy to grow and produce child-size fruits, Tumbler cherry tomatoes in containers and radishes, which are ready to harvest quickly.

Making tile mosaics is another activity they'll love, she says. The mosaics can be used as part of your paving area, with simple motifs.

"If you are creating an area for children, it's lovely to have their artwork on the ground. If they feel they've contributed and been creative in an area, they are much more likely to use it and feel good about being there."

Other projects suggested include:

Making a wormery: Use an old glass fishbowl or similar container, to enable children to see the value of worms and how they improve the soil.

Make a scarecrow: Use old dressing-up outfits, and straw.

Kim adds: "Often children are distracted with homework or DVDs or their friends. The chance of interacting with them or having any quality time with them has been dramatically compromised over the last decade. It's important to reclaim that precious time together."

Gardening with Children by Kim Wilde (Collins, pounds 14.99) is on sale from Monday.

6 OF THE BEST Children's garden kits GIVE your little ones a real incentive to get outside with their own garden tools.

We've searched out some of the best buys, so make sure it's a great summer and treat your little ones.

GET your tots mowing the lawn early with a great Early Learning Centre mower (pounds 8). The outdoor range also includes a wheelbarrow (pounds 8), a rake and hoe trolley (pounds 10) and this garden caddy (pounds 10) (above) which includes a canvas bag with watering can, spade, fork and mini-rake.

ELC also has a range of planting packs, including a grow-your-own strawberries set (pounds 7), a hedgehog cress head (pounds 5) (left) and a great make your own windowbox set (pounds 7). Make their gardening kit complete with a colourful watering can (pounds 5) (right).

TOYS R US has a great range of child-sized, brightly-coloured gardening toys to encourage children to get busy in the garden.

The starter kit includes everything for the aspiring gardener - including a wheelbarrow, lawnmower, watering can and a selection of tools (pounds 24.99) (below).

THIS pretty bucket (pounds 8) (below) has all you will need to make sure your garden is filled with butterflies. There is a five-inch pot, growing medium, cornflower seeds, corn poppy seeds, corn marigold seeds and coloured pencils along with a butterfly activity booklet.

MAKE sure your little gardeners have their own area to relax with this lovely, bright garden set from Woolworths (pounds 14.99) (below). It includes a table, parasol and chairs.

Woolies also has a weed trimmer with goggles (pounds 9.99) and wheelbarrow set (pounds 9.99) which includes two rakes, two spades, a watering can and two plant pots.

TOP TIPS

ENSURE all fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides are safely locked away and sticks and canes have an old tennis ball on the top to make them safe.

DON'T allow children to grow anything poisonous. Lots of garden centres have a special range for kids, such as Unwins Seeds4Kids.

AFTER planting, put seed packet on a stick to remind them what they have planted and where.

ATTRACT wildlife into your garden by planting parsley which will attract caterpillars. A little pile of logs will attract bugs, insects - and maybe even a hedgehog.

ATTRACT butterflies by planting things like buddlea, teasel, rosemary, butterfly weed, marigolds and snapdragon - kids will love squeezing the flower to make the "dragon's"mouth open.

DRESS your children in clothes you don't mind getting messy and remind them to wash their hands frequently. LEAFING THROUGH Lime by Donald Pigott (Sage Press, pounds 4.99)

THIS is the latest in the collectors' series of tree books.

The pocket-sized book charmingly explores the history, folklore and many uses man has found for this ancient tree.

It is delightfully illustrated by artist Chris Monk and the Italic text coupled with the style of the book will probably make tree lovers want to collect the whole series.

Contact Sage Press, PO Box No 1, Rye, East Sussex TN36 6HN (01424 774044) or visit www.treefinders.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

QUALITY TIME: Kim Wilde in the garden with her daughter Rose and (right) her new book Gardening with Children; GET STUCK IN: Three-year old Saffy Yurkwich-Ell (above and right) and her nine-year-old cousin Olivia Batchelor get digging in the garden. "They just love being in the garden," said Saffy's mum Tasha. "And I can't think of a better activity for children. They stay occupied for hours and get a real sense of achievement from digging and planting." Pictures: ROB TYSALL