NOTE: Supporting children’s literacy and learning doesn’t always start with books. In this tasty post, Children’s Library Associate (and long-time gardening enthusiast) Sarah Munson gives great pointers that will open up the world of gardening – and maybe cookbooks! – to you and your child. – Laura Raphael, Children’s Services Coordinator, Tulsa City-County Library
First two words: Cherry Tomatoes. We’ll come back to this.
#1 tip for gardening for kids (or with kids): Keep it simple.
#2. Keep it FUN!
#3. Keep it tasty! Hint: Fresh food from your own garden is always tasty.
Now back to cherry tomatoes. There are dozens of choices. If you look you can find cherry tomatoes in red, orange, yellow, black, and even “tie-dye.” If you want the plant to produce all around the same time pick up any variety of cherry tomatoes from a garden store (always ask the professionals which one is their favorite). If you want a plant that may produce until October pick up an heirloom variety. Careful, they usually vine for quite a distance. Most cherry tomatoes are easy to grow. Make sure that its container is at least 5 gallons if not bigger. Plant them halfway up the plant for good deep roots. All those little hairs along the side of the plant will root out if you plant the plant deep. Make sure the soil drains well and is not too acidic. If you want to help the plant get going place a banana peel at the base with a teaspoon of Epson salt scattered around.
Now, the best thing about growing smaller tomatoes is that you don’t have to wait sooo long to eat them. The plant may not do anything but grow the first 4-6 weeks, but when they do begin to produce the yummy little flavor-marbles, you can just pluck and eat ‘em. You, I mean, the small impatient child doesn’t have to wait for the deliciousness to gain 8-16 ounces. You, I mean, they can just eat them. And sometimes, if you, eh they are lucky, the tomato will “pop” when you bite into them and make a mess. Easy, quick(ish) and fun.
If you want to tell me that your kiddo is never going to eat a tomato, let them grow one and see what happens. Putting the effort into planting and nurturing a living thing can be transformational. Watching the plant grow taller as you care for it is exciting in its own quiet way. Watching for the flowers to form, then watching those same flowers turn into fruit...small sweet brightly colored, bite-size food, is fun. Chances are they will at least try them. Studies show that kids who grow vegetables are more likely to eat vegetables.
If your child is allergic to tomatoes, there are many other fun foods to grow. Many you can grow from kitchen scraps. Lettuce is always fun and comes in a large variety of sizes, shapes, and flavors. Potatoes are easy and fun (but take longer than cherry tomatoes). Peas and string beans are fun and can be built upon an arch made out of sticks, or ranch wire. Nothing beats sitting inside a bean house in July eating fresh beans.
Who knows. Maybe you’ll even inspire the kids to want to learn how to cook. But that’s another blog post.
- Sarah Munson, Children’s Library Associate, Skiatook Library
Photo: Creative Commons: kids' garden path" by Lynnita W is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.