Children are often fascinated by the process of growing their own food and can learn valuable lessons about the environment, healthy eating, and responsibility. It provides them with the opportunity to engage with nature and learn important life skills in a fun and educational way. Not only does gardening promote physical activity and encourage healthy eating habits, but it also teaches children about science, the environment, and the process of growth and development.
Gardening is fun and educational for kids
Great way to get children moving and active. Children spend a lot of time indoors these days, and gardening provides them with the opportunity to get outside, breathe in fresh air, and engage in physical activity. This can include tasks such as digging, planting, and watering, which all require physical effort and help to build strength and coordination.
Opportunity to learn about the environment and the natural world. Children can observe the process of growth and development as plants grow from seeds to mature plants, and learn about the role that light, water, and soil play in this process. Gardening also provides children with the opportunity to learn about different types of plants and the wildlife that depend on them, including insects and birds. This helps to build an appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility for taking care of it.
Teaches children valuable life skills. Children can learn how to plan, prepare, and care for a garden, and they can also learn how to work as a team. This includes understanding the importance of communication and cooperation, as well as the satisfaction that comes from achieving a goal as a team. Gardening also provides children with the opportunity to learn about budgeting and resource management, as they may need to make decisions about which plants to buy and how much to spend.
Opportunity to develop creativity and imagination. Gardening allows children to express themselves through the plants they choose to grow and the way they arrange their garden. This can be especially important for children who struggle with more traditional forms of expression, such as writing or drawing. Gardening provides them with the opportunity to create and take pride in their own unique space.
A great way to foster a love of science and learning. Children can learn about the anatomy of plants, how they grow and reproduce, and the role of photosynthesis in the growth process. They can also learn about the different ways that plants adapt to their environment, and the role that different types of soil, light, and water play in this process. This can provide children with a hands-on, interactive way to learn about science and the natural world.
Some tips to help get started
Start small: It's important to start with a manageable garden that is easy for children to care for. Consider planting a small herb or vegetable garden that can be tended to by children with adult supervision.
Get hands-on: Children learn best when they are actively involved, so try to incorporate hands-on activities into the gardening process. For example, have children help to plant seeds, water the plants, and harvest the produce.
Make it interactive: Encourage children to take an active role in the gardening process by asking questions, having them make decisions about what to plant, and encouraging them to observe and learn about the plants as they grow.
Use technology: There are many educational apps and websites that can help to make gardening more interactive and fun for children. Consider using a gardening planning app.
Food gardening activities
If you're considering starting a food garden with your kids or at your school, church or community center, here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose the right location. When choosing a location for your food garden, consider the amount of sunlight, access to water, and soil quality. If you have a backyard, this is often the best place to start. If you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space, you can also start a garden in pots on your balcony or windowsill.
Pick plants that are easy to grow. If you're just starting out with gardening, it's best to choose plants that are easy to grow and care for. Some good options include herbs like basil, mint, cilantro and parsley, as well as vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, peas and beans. See our posts Easiest Veggies From Seed and Fast Growing Crops.
Make a plan. Before you start planting, take some time to make a plan for your garden that would be enjoyable for the kids and appropriate for their skills. Make a list of what you could grow and where you could plant each crop. You can use a garden design app or simply draw a rough sketch on a piece of paper. Make sure there will be enough sunlight. The kids can help measure the hours of sunlight in various spots on a sunny day. Put plants that tolerate less sun in the lowest light area. See our post Planning Your Food Garden.
Get your kids involved. Involve your kids in the planning and planting process. Let them help choose the plants, decide where to plant them, and assist with the actual planting. This will give them a sense of ownership and responsibility for the garden.
Start with seeds. If possible, start your garden with seeds rather than seedlings. This will give your kids the opportunity to see the entire growing process from start to finish. You can buy seed packets at your local garden center or online. But planting some seedlings is also highly recommended so the kids see results faster. See our post Seeds and Seedling for Beginners.
Get the right tools. Before you start planting, make sure you have the right tools. You'll need a garden spade, a hoe, a watering can, and possibly a wheelbarrow if you have a large garden. If you're planting in pots, you'll need a good quality potting soil and a bag of compost. Sterilize your tools before you start in dilute blue (1:10). You can also use vinegar at a higher concentration.
Teach your kids about composting. Composting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste and turn them into rich, nutritious soil for your garden. Teach your kids about composting and show them how to make a compost pile in your backyard or in a compost bin. Explain totem (if possible) that your garden is “super-powered” by Deep Roots’ 100% microbe-rich compost. Teach them the importance and soil microbes to building and supporting healthy soil for food plants. We recommend you use DIY compost for natives, flowers and ornamental plants.But use our microbe-rich compost for the food garden.
Water regularly. Plants need water to grow, so make sure your kids understand the importance of watering deeply. Teach them how to use a watering can or hose and show them how to check the soil to see if the soil is dry or moist with the ”finger test.”
Teach your kids about pests and disease. Pests and diseases can be a problem in any garden, so it's important to educate your kids about how to prevent and control these issues. Teach them how to identify common pests and diseases and show them how to use organic methods like biodiversity planting and succession planting to keep their garden healthy.
Harvest and eat your crops. The best part of gardening is eating the fruits of your labor! Teach your kids how to harvest their crops using our “no till, not dig, no pull” rule and encourage them to try new foods. You can also use your garden to teach your kids about healthy eating and the importance of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet.
Keep a garden journal. Keeping a garden journal is a great way to track your progress and learn about the plants in your garden. Encourage your kids to write down observations, take pictures, and record the dates of importance.
“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts
See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.
Deep Roots online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.
Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.
(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org
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