A Toddler High Garden

This week I have tried a little experiment.  When I am asked by people how to create a children’s garden I often say to look at it from a child’s perspective and if they have very young children think about placing items of interest at toddler height.  When my 8 year old was tiny he had a chalkboard, and outdoor mirrors located for him an appropriate height.  He also had an old butler sink as a little garden, which he could easily identify as his own.  Beyond that though I have never tested what I recommend others to do.

So this week I took a look at my garden in October from the height of a toddler.  I reckon the average 2 year old is about 34 inches high.  Therefore I went on my knees and then bent a bit more.

It looked very different.  Plants and vegetation merged into one another and there seemed much more space around.  I found it much harder to take photos as points of interest seemed to have disappeared.

 

cyclameninpot

The stone pot which I have recently planted with cyclamen stood out from within the border.  It seemed to be an ideal focal point for a toddler.

 

toddler high garden

 

The view of my gorgeous Acer tree, currently with beautiful yellow leaves, all but disappeared when I shuffled close to it.  Instead it was replaced with a picture of its trunk and foliage from plants nearby.

 

Apples on tree

 

These apples were hanging at picking height for any toddler – just irresistible.

 

Eucalyptus tree bark

 

The bark peeling and shredding from the Eucalyptus tree, something that rarely draws my attention was an obvious feature for my 2 ½ foot high camera.

 

green man

 

The green man, which for nearly 2 years is still waiting to be attached to a wall was an immediate and easy focus of attention.  Ground level was definitely an easy height to spy upon.

 

cosmos with tree

 

When I did look up next to the cosmos, they arched over me almost feeling the same height as the trees in the distance. I found it slightly disconcerting and I wonder if a toddler would find it a bit scary or perhaps enchanting.

No one saw me on my knees moving around my garden – thank goodness– I think that perhaps I need to invest in a tripod to make the experiment a little more scientific.  It definitely did make me think and feel slightly different about my garden.  I’d love to have a go again a different point in the year especially when plants are just emerging in spring and when flowers are in full bloom in the summer months.

 

 

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