In the age of computers, cable television and video games, the outdoors may hold little fascination for today's youngsters. But with spring's warmer weather just around the corner, gardening with your children or grandchildren can be an inexpensive way to entice them out of the house.

Gardening is a hands-on hobby and incorporates two of children's favorite things - water and dirt. Don't be afraid to let them get dirty, but do keep an eye on their watering; children have a tendency to drown what they have planted. In fact, it might be a good idea to establish a gardening area just for them. This gives them pride in their own work and saves your own plants from their overzealous nature.

Most children have not yet developed a fear of insects, worms, spiders, frogs, snakes or any other creatures that might be found in a potential garden plot, so be sure to keep an eye out for what they might be picking up, playing with or eating! Be sure the children wear appropriate clothing, gloves, sunscreen and insect repellant. You might also want to have a first-aid kit on hand, just in case the child receives any minor cuts or insect bites while outside.

Because children can become disappointed and discouraged when plants do not grow, choose plants that have fast germinating seeds. Flowers that have a five-to 10-day germination period include sunflowers, zinnias, nasturtiums, ageratums, marigolds, bachelor's buttons, cosmos and alyssums.

Planting vegetables will not only give children a similar satisfaction as growing flowers, but may also encourage them to eat what they have grown. The same principle that applies to flowers also applies to vegetables - plant for quick growth. Vegetables with a five-to 10-day germination period are zucchinis, radishes, pumpkins, peas and cucumbers.

Home improvement stores often have a gardening section just for children where you can shop for youth-sized aprons, gloves and kneepads. Web sites, such as www.kidsgardening.com, are also geared toward children's gardening. This site has many gardening ideas and projects for parents and teachers to share with their children and also has a catalog where smaller gardening accessories can be found.

Alabama has gone the extra step to get children off the couch and outdoors; the state has established a Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program. The JMG is a hands-on gardening curriculum for children in grades three through eight run by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Shane Harris, a Regional Extension agent, coordinates the program and explains that most of the kids involved have never grown anything before. According to Harris, the JMG program gives children a sense of accomplishment and helps promote responsibility in addition to teaching them the scientific background behind gardening.

For children, gardening can indirectly teach several life lessons, such as patience and responsibility. And even if they do manage to overwater, gardening can teach children about failing and having the perseverance to try again.

But maybe the best result of getting children interested in gardening is that they can learn about growing potatoes rather than becoming couch potatoes.

Source: Dr. James D. Williams, Extension Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-3032.