Gardening is a wonderful way to teach your children responsibility, self-reliance and the satisfaction of achievement. Working in your garden together is a fantastic opportunity to share and have fun. It's a great activity for children (and adults) of all ages.

Whether you have an acre of property to plant on, a sunny windowsill with room for a single flowerpot, or a community garden you can visit together, gardening is an opportunity to grow your character and your relationship with satisfying results. It does not matter if you are growing food for the table or beautiful flowers to attract butterflies. You and your child will both have the satisfaction of knowing that your contribution to the table or the environment does make a difference.

You can cater this activity to the age, strength and imagination of your child. Imagine your child's expression as they watch a single seed become a plant, or a sprout become a bush or a tree. Imagine how your child's tastebuds will savor every bite of the tomato that he or she planted, nurtured and brought to the table. And imagine how the lessons of nature, the ecosystem and life cycles will be brought to life for your child to understand.

Gardening offers all of this ... and more.

The younger child will most probably benefit from tending to and watching fast-growing plants, and many young children love to see bright flowers as well. Some high-yield, low-maintenance edible plants include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash. Easy herbs to grow that take relatively little room, such as chives, oregano, thyme and rosemary, are perennials; plant them once and they can come back every year. A pinch of herbs also can make an ordinary dish extraordinary!

Some fast-growing, bright and beautiful flowers include marigolds, petunias and California poppies; these also do well as potted plants. Flowers to attract butterflies and hummingbirds include zinnias and morning glories. (Although many attractive flowers are edible, it would be best not to share that knowledge with young children until they are able to learn for themselves which should not be eaten.)

Depending on your child's age and abilities, their responsibilities can include planning the layout of the garden, digging holes, planting seeds, watering the plants, harvesting and weeding. One special activity most children will love is documenting the progress of the garden. This can be done in pictures with crayons, with cameras, or with written or recorded notes.

An especially valuable lesson for all children and adults is the use of compost to feed the plants and help them grow. Organic kitchen food scraps, shredded newspapers, leaves and grass clippings that are decomposed in a "mulch pile" can be used to enrich the soil and are a great way to learn not to waste. Instead of throwing food scraps and more into the garbage, toss them into a mulch bin; keep the mix moist, and turn the pile frequently to help the material break down into a nutrient-rich supplement for your garden.

Older children may enjoy the sci-fi feeling of growing hydroponics -- plants grown without soil or plain water. Instead, root systems graze mineral-rich solutions and other nutrients. Another seemingly out-of-this-world way to grow produce is through aeroponics, where the root systems are treated to a constant mist of atomized nutrients. These systems have shown success growing tomatoes and leafy crops. It will be rewarding for you and your child to know you can produce your own food, even if soil space and clean water are scarce.

Community gardens are aptly named for the sense of community they create. You and your child can plant and tend to your crop as part of a larger network of people sharing knowledge, enthusiasm and sometimes even crops. Community gardens are ideal in urban and highly developed areas, where private land might be scarce. They are a great opportunity to work with others who come from different backgrounds. These shared gardens help teach children the ability to not only grow their own food but also work together with others for a shared benefit.