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| Photo Credit: John Donley |
| Emily proudly shows off her harvest of baby carrots. Carrots are one easy-to-grow crop that kids love to eat – and while you’re at it, talk about plant structure, photosynthesis or earthworms! |
As a mother who homeschools her kids, I’m always looking for fun, hands-on learning experiences. But the truth is, no matter where your kids go to school, they learn constantly. Think of it this way: The whole world is a classroom. Opportunities to learn abound. And it can all begin right in your own back yard.
In fact, the garden is an ideal place to learn. After all, most kids naturally love to dig in the dirt. Start by giving kids their own little garden plot. It might be that you divide an existing garden into kid-friendly spaces. Or perhaps you can create several small raised beds. Look around. Could you convert an old sandbox into a garden? Fill a rusty wagon with flowers? Or how about turning regular terra-cotta pots into works of art by painting them and gluing on plenty of sparkles? Just make sure kids have their very own special space to garden, give them excellent soil, a ready supply of water and a spot with plenty of sunlight. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: John Donley | | While Emily and her dad enjoy working in the garden together, it’s important each child has his or her own little bed to care for. |
Next, select plants that will grow successfully in your area. Several no-fail vegetable choices for most zones are lettuces, cherry tomatoes, bush beans, carrots and – if you have room – pumpkins. Also try to work in some herbs so your kids can experience their amazing smells and textures. Some easy herbs to try are lemon balm, mint, rosemary and basil. And don’t forget the flowers! Try sunflowers, zinnias and marigolds, or in spring, sow wildflower seeds native to your area.
Remember, kids can learn far more in the garden than just how to garden. Among those little seedlings out there are science lessons waiting to be taught. Use the garden to teach about everything from photosynthesis and plant structure to earthworms, beneficial insects, pollinators, the food chain, ecology, decomposition, habitat, keeping a field journal and caring for the environment! (The list goes on and on.) Let kids observe and log the journey from seed to seedling to full-grown plant. Experiment with watering, feeding and soil composition, and then let your growing scientists enjoy the nutritious benefits of fresh veggies from the garden.
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| Tips |
- Your kids will retain more of what they learn in their garden if they record it. Give them each a notebook or sketchbook so that they can keep a garden journal of their own. In addition to taking notes about their plants, they can fill the pages with drawings, plans, measurements, graphs, poems, stories and ideas!
- Roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious, nutrient-rich snack. After harvesting a pumpkin, let the kids remove the gooey pulp and separate the seeds. Wash your seeds, then dry them by leaving them out in the sun. Toss with oil, salt and roast in a 250 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes. (Enjoy!)
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| Faqs |
- Q: How can I get my kids interested in vegetables?
A: Look for fun varieties of easy-to-grow veggies: Purple carrots, striped beets, giant sunflowers, or purple or yellow climbing beans are a few great choices. - Q: Do I need to buy kid-sized gardening tools?
A: You don’t have to have kid-sized tools, but they do make work easier for little hands. There are tons of great children’s gardening products on the market. Shop together for gloves and spades – and while you’re at it, check out a few great gardening books for kids.
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