Starting a Vegetable Garden to Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day can be a great way to teach children about the importance of protecting and caring for the environment. Using this day to be with your children outdoors is a way to model taking care of the Earth. One way you can celebrate Earth is to create a vegetable garden with your children. Here is are some steps to get started with this fun Earth Day activity:

Step One: Finding the Right Spot

Go around your yard with your child to find the perfect spot to start your garden. This is a great activity to get your child involved in because they will feel connected to the creation of the garden.  

Step Two: Picking Your Favorite Veggies

Picking the right vegetables to plant requires some research. There are different vegetables that grow well in different areas of the country and at different times. Brussel sprouts, carrots, corn, okra are some veggies that grow well in Florida despite the heat. To get your child involved, you can take them with you to the store to help pick out seeds!

Step Three: Planning Your Layout

Sitting down, after collecting all the seeds, with your child to plan/sketch out a layout can be a fun way to teach them organization and planning. You can sketch out the layout and have them color in the plants, for them to feel like they are contributing to the project. 

Step Four: Planting

Now it’s time to plant! Planting vegetables with your children is a great way to get them to eat more. By being involved with the process of planting, children will be more interested in eating once the veggies arrive on their plate. Make sure to pick up the right kind of soil for your specific area. 

Step Five: Maintenance

Tending to your garden will teach your kids how to cultivate plants. It will also keep them on the lookout for any pests. Pest control is an important part of the planting process because without it the vegetables will not survive the bugs that live in the garden. By teaching children the grooming process it will help them to understand how to maintain plants and keep them healthy.

For an in depth guide to starting your own vegetable garden click here.

Planting a garden with your children is a great way to connect with them while teaching them valuable life skills. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville Catholic school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.