How to Build a Kids Veggie Garden for Family Wellness: A Mama's Guide!

May 17, 2024 Bailey Petrucelli

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Ever imagined creating a kids veggie garden in your backyard? If you're tired of the American standard diet and want a healthier lifestyle for you and your family, then this is just for you. It can be intimidating to start a garden but I promise once you start its too fun and rewarding! This blog is all about how to build a kids veggie garden. I'm the first to admit that I’m no pro gardener, but if I can do it, then you can too, mama!

Why Build a Kids Veggie Garden?

I get it, the thought of building a veggie garden might seem overwhelming and you're questioning if you'll end up with a lush garden or a patch of dirt at the end of the season…especially when you're spinning a million plates at once. But, oh my goodness, let me tell you – it's not only doable, but it's also a whole lot of fun and so rewarding!

Just picture stepping out into your own backyard, the sun on your face, and plucking ripe, juicy tomatoes straight from the vine for your salad. Or gathering crisp, sweet carrots for a warming stew. The taste of homegrown veggies is like nothing you'll find in the grocery store! I promise you mama!

And it's not just about the food. Gardening is my therapy and the kids! Planting seeds, seeing them sprout and grow. I literally go out to my garden 3 times during the day with my kids to just “check on it”. I just find it so relaxing! It's this calm, meditative routine that not only clears our mind but also keeps our body moving in a gentle, natural way.

But here's the best bit. Your kids veggie garden becomes this magical outdoor classroom for your little ones. It's hands-on learning at its best! They'll get to witness the lifecycle of plants, understand where food comes from, and learn about the importance of nutrition. Plus, it's a beautiful way for them to develop a love for Mother Nature and respect for our precious environment. my littlest always asks to water the garden in the evening and it makes my heart so happy.

So yes, starting a garden might seem daunting at first. But the rewards, mama, are simply too good to pass up. Fresh produce, therapeutic activities, and priceless learning experiences - all from your own backyard! So, what do you say? Ready to get your hands dirty and start your gardening adventure?

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Choosing The Best Garden Beds

Starting a garden can be intimidating, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can create a thriving kids veggie garden. One of the main things you'll need to get started are garden beds and soil. There are a plethora of options available online, but my personal favorites are the premade ones on Amazon just because they are so easy to put together. I had my kids “help me out” and it took me about an hour to put together (prob 15 min without the kids lol). I have both wooden and metal ones, and I love both! (I linked them here for you!)

Then to fill them up, you can get a bunch of bags of soil (and get your hubby or sons to unload them…hehe) or get your local garden store to drop of a bed of garden bed soil into your drive way and you can load up your garden beds with that. The first year is the biggest investment but every year after, you won’t have these costs. I will buy one or two bags of soil for a fresh up on my beds but nothing too big.

What to Include in Your Kids Veggie Garden?

When it comes to what vegetables to grow, think about what your family loves to eat.

Greens are a must for any garden though. They're full of nutrients and can be used in a variety of meals. Plus a lot of greens are sprayed with pesticides, so this is a great way not only to save money on organic greens but you know exactly what's on your plants (hopefully nothing, expect some dirt!)

I grow kale, spinach, butter crunch lettuce (I dont know if that's the name…I told you I'm not a pro haha but it's butter something). I have two full beds of just greens. This way I can throw in a huge bunch into smoothies (I do this daily!), soups (I need to post my FAV kale bean soup soon! comment to remind me!), spaghetti sauce or whip up a salad.

Tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, peppers, jalapeños, and onions are also great choices. I love having all my ingredients to make a good summer salsa or guac (minus the avocados). This means I also have tomatoes, jalapeño, onions and cilantro! I also love growing mint to seep in my water or throw in pineapple banana kale smoothies (BUT if you're growing mint, plant this in a separate box, pot, container but it will take OVER your garden).

If you have the space, you can even try growing squash or even watermelon? Our squash kept growing white mold every dang year so I threw in the towel on that one…. I'll buy butternut squash from our farmers market (which is walkable from our house which I LOVE!). And we are trying watermelon again this year. Last year they did great..until my littlest pulled every tiny watermelon off the vine because “they were so cute!” ….THREE TIMES. So another year older, we will try again!

Remember, the goal is to grow food that you and your family will enjoy eating. Switch it up and have fun with it!

Engaging Kids in the Process

One of the best parts about having a kids veggie garden is that it's a wonderful way to involve your kids. I brought them with me to pick out their plants. Let them help with watering the plants or picking herbs. They can even help with harvesting veggies when they're ready. It's a great way for them to learn about nature and develop a love for healthy eating! The grape and cherry tomatoes get eaten as soon as they turn red. The tomatoes don't stand a chance but I don’t mind one bit that they are gobbling those down :)

Embrace Wellness with my "Nourish Life" class!

If you're interested in learning more about how to fuel your body the right way and embrace wellness in your home, join our “Nourish Life” class. It's tailored for women who want practical strategies for integrating nutrient-dense foods into daily meals. Here's to creating generational health for your family!

Remember, building a veggie garden for a healthier lifestyle is not just about growing your food. It's about taking control of your health and nurturing a love for wholesome foods across all ages. So, why wait? Start your gardening journey today!