Growing your own food is incredibly rewarding, and doing it with your children can be a truly magical experience. Gardening with kids is a learning opportunity for the whole family. Together we can learn things like patience and responsibility. It can also aid in your child’s sensory and fine motor skill development. In our family, we like to remember that our garden doesn’t have to be perfect to provide endless fun and nourishment for our bodies. Creating a garden with your family is a wonderful way to connect, enjoy the outdoors, and learn.
We are fortunate in the Monterey Bay area to have a mild climate year-round, which is very helpful when starting a garden. My husband and I start tracking the sun several months before we plant to ensure our planter boxes are in the right location. If any tree branches need to be trimmed, that is done to ensure the right amount of sun for our plants. Depending on your space, soil quality, and desires, you can choose to plant in the ground or in planter boxes. Our soil tends to be mostly clay so we chose planter boxes, which can also protect plants from gophers and other pesky animals. Planter boxes can be bought or built pretty inexpensively. We built ours out of old dresser drawers, which was a fun arts-and-crafts project. The kids painted the outside with nontoxic paint, and us adults drilled holes in the bottom for drainage. You can also use pallets, scrap lumber, or feed troughs. Once you have decided on a location for your garden, your kids can help you fill it with healthy soil. Our kids enjoy getting dirty so they use their beach toys to really become one with the dirt. If your kiddo has an aversion to getting dirty, gardening gloves can be a great option. Once your soil is ready, it is time to plant your seeds. Some of our favorite things to plant this time of year are basil, carrots, chard, spinach, green beans, sugar snap peas, corn, squash, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes. If you plant your pumpkins in late May to early June they will be ready to harvest just in time for Halloween!
Each plant has its own requirements so some planning is needed to ensure everything has enough room and sunlight. The back of your seed packets should have all the information you need to decide where each seed should go. Remember that some things will flourish and some things may not. Every year is a surprise, so we make sure to prepare the children for the idea that the garden might look a little different than we planned. For us it’s all about the quality time we spend and the lessons we learn; the food we grow is a wonderful bonus. Our kids love poking holes in the soil and counting each seed they put in. Have your children help you create a map of your garden to remember where everything is planted. They can draw pictures of what they think the plants will look like. I also recommend designating an area of your garden that is just for the kids—that way they can dig and scoop every day and you don’t have to worry about them harming your vegetables. We like to have our kids plant native wildflowers in their area because they are hearty and easy to grow.
Once everything is planted, the patience and responsibility lessons start. Watering the garden is a responsibility our kids take very seriously. They like to use their water squirters. I fill a bucket of water, and they take turns filling the squirters and gently watering the garden. This makes the chore fun and keeps us outside longer. See what piques your little one’s interest. Do they like to practice plant identification? Maybe they want to read to their plants. The opportunities to learn through play are endless. After checking the garden daily, their joy when the first sprout is spotted is contagious.
When it is time to harvest, have your child pick out a special basket or container that they can use to collect their vegetables. It seems easier to have our kiddos eat their vegetables if they pick them themselves. It is incredibly rewarding to grow your own food and be able to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor together. After your harvest, pick some kid-friendly dishes to cook together. There’s nothing better than homegrown spaghetti sauce! Whether your goal is healthy eating, quality time together, or getting the kids outside, starting a vegetable garden is a fun-filled activity for the whole family.
KAYLA MYERS is a veterinary technician, freelance writer, nature enthusiast and mother of two adventurous toddlers. Kayla was born and raised on the peninsula and currently resides in beautiful Carmel Valley with her husband, children and menagerie of four legged friends.