5 Steps to Planting a Kids Vegetable Garden

Gardens that Feed

Do you ever wonder where to begin when starting a Vegetable Garden with Kids? Do you wonder what questions to ask? Plants to grow? Best location? Do you know how to engage the children in gardening? Kids love the outdoors and creating a Vegetable Garden is an ideal way to teach children where food comes from and so much more. Making a Children’s Vegetable Garden is very simple. Here are a 5 Steps to get you started.

Step 1. Include the kids in the planning, caring and harvesting of the garden

Step 2. Ask questions:

• Does the site have enough sun?
• Is there a water source near the garden?
• What type of soil?
• Do we need to prepare or amend the soil?

Step 3. Make sure you have child-size gardening tools such as rakes, shovels, spades and hoes.

Step 4. Add plants that appeal to all the senses. (taste, smell, touch, sight & sound) As far as design and layout of the garden, Vegetable gardens can be planted in anything that holds soil. You also do not have to stick to planting everything in rows. This is the beauty of a Children’s Garden. You can use your imagination!

Follow the directions on the back of the seed packets for further details for planting.

TASTE:

• Carrots
• Radishes
• Tomatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Peas
• Beans

Plants with Unique Shapes

• Eggplant
• Gourds

SIGHT: Interest & Color

• Marigolds
• Nasturtiums
• Sunflowers
• Zinnias

SMELL: Herbs

• Dill
• Mint
• Basil
• Lavender
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Lemon Balm
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Peppermint

TOUCH

• Lambs Ear

SOUND

• Wind Chimes

Step 5. Allow children to partake in the maintenance of the garden. Create jobs and get children involved in the watering, weeding, and harvesting.

Nature Journals: Children can also make their own nature journal and spend time outdoors observing and documenting the plant’s growth.

Document with Photos: Take before and after photos! You will be amazed at the transformation!

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Now I want to hear from you. Share your Vegetable Garden story in the comments below. Are you interested in learning more about Garden Design and the 4 Types of Gardens? Check out the Teaching in the Dirt: Designing Outdoor Classrooms e-Course.

Onward,