Creating a Childrens’ Vegetable Garden

Finding a fun outdoor activity to do with children can be no further than your own backyard. Kids love vegetable gardening, and it’s a terrific way of teaching them about science and nature while shaping healthy attitudes toward food. Growing food at home helps children to see the connection between the food they eat and the natural world. Given their own patch or pot to care for, it is also a wonderful way for them to learn and appreciate responsibility and the rewards reaped from a little hard work. There are plenty of beginner level crops to grow, and with some guidance from Mum or Dad they’ll be proudly picking their own fruit and vegetables in no time.

Suitable Fruits and Vegetables for Children to Grow

Growing a plant from seed is affordable, fun, educational, and surprisingly simple. Large seeds are easier for little fingers to handle and will withstand some rough pawing and lack of planting precision. Sweet corn, beans or snow peas are ideal, and liked by most children.

Colourful fruits and vegetables are often appealing, and it is interesting to observe the change of a tomato or capsicum as it goes from green to red, or the purpling of a blueberry. Sweet cherry tomatoes are quite easy to grow and children seem to love their pop-in-the-mouth size. Try scooping the pulp out of one purchased at the market and planting it. While it isn’t the most sure-fire method it makes for a great science lesson.

Beetroot can be grown in large pots or a garden bed, and is often loved by children because of its deep red colour. One of the healthy red food colours, it can be used for delicious kid friendly desserts such as beetroot and apple crumble or even beetroot ice-cream. It does stain though, so keep it away from white clothes and furniture.

Strawberries also make a healthy dessert, and while they’re usually only available from seedling, they are interesting to watch as they form new juvenile plants on runners that can be cut off and planted. Vine crops such as melons and cucumbers are also fun to train around tepees or up fences. Some of these fruit and vegetables do take patience though, and it’s a good idea to try some fast growing plants as well so the children don’t lose interest. Herbs grow quickly, and lettuce can be ready to eat in as little as six weeks and comes in all sorts of interesting colours, shapes and sizes.

Remember to let the children choose vegetables based on what they like to eat, or what they think looks interesting to grow, and don’t use any inorganic pesticides. Eating straight from the plant is an important part of the experience.

Finding a Space to Grow Vegetables with Children

A simple vegetable garden can be set up almost anywhere as long as there is sufficient sunlight and a water source nearby. No-dig garden beds are easy to set up, or alternatively half a wine barrel filled with potting mix, or a range of smaller containers will do nicely.

Those wanting more space can check with their local government to see if there are any community gardens in their neighbourhood. If there aren’t, it is still possible to find some unused land and plant on it. Just ensure the area is free from contaminants and ask the owner or authorities for permission first. Guerrilla gardening is not always the best idea for children.

Making Vegetable Gardening Fun for Children

Children like being given responsibility and will often surprise adults by just how well they step up to the challenge. Try to allow them to have their own spot, or perhaps a small spot each that they can plant and care for. Depending on their age, they’ll need some guidance and adult supervision, but resist the urge to impose too much order over what they do. Straight lines and perfect spacing are rarely found in nature, and it won’t be the end of the world if they’re not found in a child’s vegetable patch. Education and fun are the names of the game.

Some children may like to include some edible flowers like nasturtiums in their garden that also double as bee attractants. This can serve as a valuable lesson in pollination and life cycles, and allows them to be creative with colour. The possibilities are endless, so start out with a few simple crops and let the childrens’ interests guide you. And don’t forget, it’s great fun for the grown ups too.