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If you’ve ever watched a child dig their hands into soil, eyes wide with curiosity, you’ll know this—gardening does more than just grow food. It grows a connection.

Gardening is a beautiful way to bring children closer to nature. It teaches them patience, responsibility, and the wonder of growing something with their own hands. And there’s no better time to start than the monsoon, when the earth is soft, damp, and full of life.

This season, consider growing bottle gourd with your kids. Known as lauki or sorakaya in many Indian homes, it’s a nutritious, fast-growing vegetable that kids find especially fun to cultivate. The vines grow quickly, the fruits are large and satisfying to watch mature, and the rains keep it low-maintenance for parents.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

1. Gather your materials and prep together

Start by collecting everything you will need, like bottle gourd seeds, pots or a garden bed with nutrient-rich soil, compost or organic fertiliser, a watering can, and a trellis or frame for the vines to climb. Involve your kids in gathering these items; it is a great way to build excitement and teach them about the different tools and materials involved in gardening. Explaining why compost helps the plants or why the trellis is needed for support will give them a better understanding of what the plants need to grow.

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