How to create a child-friendly garden

Making a child-friendly garden isn't just a matter of avoiding dangerous plants. By giving children their own area and activities, they can get lots of fresh air and healthy exercise. They can even help you in the garden - you'll be surprised at how much children like to get involved given the opportunity!

Watch their health
Always keep tools and garden chemicals out of reach of small hands. You should also be aware of which plants are poisonous. Yew, foxglove, daphne and laburnum are obvious examples that should be avoided. Spiky plants and plants with thorns can also cause damage.

Avoid ponds
Ponds and small children don't mix well - replace an open pond with a safe water feature or fit a safety grill.

Protect outdoor toys
Outdoor toys such as swings and climbing frames can lead to falls, so make sure you have a soft surface like grass below any fixture. If you have a sandpit, cover it when it's not in use to keep the local cats out. Worm your pets regularly to avoid exposing your children to potentially dangerous parasites.

Grow their own
This should be the most exciting part. Encourage your children to dig their own area of soil, sow some seeds and grow their own plants. Choose seeds which germinate and grow quickly like nasturtium so your kids don't lose interest. And don't forget vegetables – peas grow quickly and your kids will enjoy eating the results! Colourful and quick-growing radishes are also a good choice. Scratch your child's name on a marrow and they can watch it expand as the marrow grows. Make a small seat facing their garden so your kids can spend time there in comfort.

For the little ones
Younger children can plant up their own containers. Include lots of extra grit at the bottom to avoid waterlogging. Kids like plants that are interesting to touch, so grow a few grey or hairy-leaved plants such as Stachys lanata. Bright colours will also attract their interest - try Mesembryanthemum.

Welcome wildlife
Encouraging wildlife and birds to visit the garden will fascinate children - so be sure to have a few birdfeeders hanging around. Finally, surround the space with a tough hedge for privacy - privet is ideal.