Gardening with kids helps them not only learn valuable skills that will last forever, but can also be very beneficial to their health and creativity. Helping children expand their knowledge of the world around them, as well as teaching responsibility and patience. Involving kids in the garden can help them cultivate healthy eating habits as they make great memories, learning where their food comes from. A little earlier this summer we decided to go visit some of these incredibly talented little farmers and find out what they love about being in the soil.

Gardener 1

Our first young gardener we interviewed comes from a long line of organic gardeners and is age 7. He has been helping in his family garden as well as growing his own small plot for as long as he can remember. He enjoys creating a garden that offers more then just a space for growing but a true oasis for the young and old, animal and human alike.

Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “I like Dinosaur Kale.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “Because it is good for you and I like dinosaurs and it has dinosaur in its name and looks kinda like dinosaur skin.”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “I like to eat it fresh when I am in my garden but I also like it grilled with stuff on it and in salads.”

Gardener 2

The next garden we stopped to visit belongs to a blossoming first year gardener age 2. She currently loves her new summer job shadowing her Mama in their family garden. With her Mama’s special touch, she loves helping care for her many herb and vegetable garden friends.

Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “Pickles!!!”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “I eat ’em with Mama!”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “Salt!”

Gardener 3

Our next gardener is practically a professional at 6 and has gardening down to an art. He is specializing in growing several varieties of heirloom vegetables this year, with several taste testing trials underway.

Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “My Spaghetti Squash.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best.
A: “Because it grows very big in my garden, so I can see it and not step on it when I water it.”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “I like to eat it both cooked and raw, sometimes I put either spaghetti sauce or Mama’s homemade maple syrup on it.”

Gardener 4

Garden number four is under the care of an expert with several years of gardening under his belt. At the ripe old age of 8, his garden is a site to see with a wide selection of garden goodies!
Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “Orange flesh watermelon.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “Because it tastes better than store bought.”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “In fresh big slices.”

Gardener 5

This next gardener is working on expanding his knowledge into a broader range of plants this year. Really earning his green thumb in the plant world, at age 9 he is truly a gardener with a bright future and a true understanding of the soil!

Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “My Squash.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “Because it grows up my garden fence, and seems way happier that way then laying on the dirt.”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “I like it baked with brown sugar and coconut oil.”

Gardener 6

This young gardener is only 4 but already quite a help to her Mama, both in the greenhouse as well as in the garden. She planted two whole rows of beans this year without any help! She also loves helping with harvesting and canning of all the garden friends. This little one is a regular nutritionist as well as a major salad lover.
Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “Tomatoes! But I like ALL kinds of other stuff too.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “All the juicy ones! They are my favorite!”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “I eat them right down like that and every way, but I like salads they help you grow big and strong!”

Gardener 7

A love of the garden runs in this gardeners family. At age 6, he is already well underway in following in his Daddy’s footsteps in the gardening world. He is a good helper in the homestead garden, both with planting as well as maintenance and harvesting.
Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “Popcorn.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “Cause I like to eat popcorn!”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “With BUTTER!”

Gardener 8

Our last gardener we had the privilege to interview is only 3 years old. She loves helping in the garden and is busy learning all she can to better expand her knowledge of the garden for next year. She is a big helper around her family’s homestead, both in and out of the garden.
Q: What is your favorite plant species in your garden?
A: “Um, Carrots.”
Q: Why did you choose/like that variety best?
A: “Because I help Daddy grow them in the garden.”
Q: How do you like to use and/or eat it?
A: “I use my teeth to eat my carrots!”

What is your favorite garden friend, and why do you think it is beneficial to get kids involved in the garden? Drop us a comment below! We love to get feedback from our readers.

Happy Harvesting, the Homesteading Hen