Healthy Baby Beans

My first question yesterday, “What toppings belong on a pizza?”.

My niece yelled, “Pepperoni”.

My response, “Yes, but we are going to learn about other toppings you can grow and eat on pizza because we are making a Pizza Garden!”

My niece, “huh?????”

Yesterday, I posted an article on the benefits of children who garden. However, I realize it might be unrealistic to plot a large garden based on the location of your home and financial budget.  I wanted to follow-up with some easy, cheap tips to help you and your little one garden in the most unexpected places.

If you want to encourage your child to eat more vegetables, combine gardening and cooking with your children.  This can be done with theme gardens. I have included examples of themes below with some suggested plants for each theme.  I have also included pictures from yesterday and as you can see our theme gardens are not complete because we are still expecting late frost.

Pizza Garden Ingredients:

• Basil
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Tomato (Cherry and/or a larger variety)
• Onion
• Red Pepper
• One “new” vegetable you want to encourage your child to eat on pizza but let your child pick out the plant.

Taco Garden Ingredients:

• Cilantro
• Cumin
• Tomato
• Scallions
• Jalapeño Pepper
• Green Pepper
• One “new” vegetable you want to encourage your child to eat in tacos but let your child pick out the plant.  We use kale.

Gluten Free spaghetti Garden:

• Spaghetti squash
• Tomato (Roma tomato)
• Onion
• Basil
• Parsley
• Garlic
• One “new” vegetable you want to encourage your child to eat in tacos but let your child pick out the plant.

Sensory Smelling Garden:

• Lavender
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Thyme

Directions for each garden:

• Get dirty and have fun!
• One long planter box filled with potting soil (not potting mix).
• Follow planting directions that accompany the plant.
• Let your children do most of the work and explore.

WARNING:  it will get messy!

Tips:

• Let the child make a sign for the garden.
• A child is never too young to play in dirt or with plants.
• Encourage the child to do most of the work and maintain the garden.
• Talk to the child about the herb or vegetable as they plant them.  Discuss color, smell, touch, and uses on pizza or in a taco.
• When it is time to make your pizza or taco, let your child harvest the produce and cook in the kitchen.