Container Gardening with Children

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_widget_sidebar title=”How to Grow at Home” sidebar_id=”blog-sidebar”][vc_column_text]Growing food with children is fun, and rewarding. Allowing children to learn where their food comes from not only promotes stewardship of the earth but also encourages curiosity and exploration. Children who grow their own vegetables are more likely to eat their vegetables. The best part is you don’t need a lot of space or a green thumb to garden with your kids. Something as small as caring for some herbs grown on the windowsill or pots on the porch is a perfect way to get started. The vegetables below are perfect for beginner container gardening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”15424″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][vc_column_text]If you are starting Peppers from seeds it is recommended to start them indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date. The seeds will germinate at 70 degrees. When the young plant have their proper leaves, decent root development, and a strong stem they are ready to be transplanted. Prepare the young plants for the outdoors by “hardening them off” or gradually introducing them to direct sunlight, cooler temperatures and dry air. Plant outdoors when the soil has warmed to 65 degrees. Water one to two inches deep per week. Larger pepper plants may need support from cages or stakes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”14472″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][vc_column_text]Direct seed Green Beans into the soil 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. For Bush Bean varieties use a pot with good drainage that is 6 to 7 inches deep. Pole Beans need 8 to 9 inches of depth and support for the vines to grow. Beans need full sun, at least 6 hours a day. Beans do best when the temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees. After the plant starts to produce beans pick often to encourage more fruiting[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”16699″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][vc_column_text]For the best results with tomato plants in containers use a bush variety. These will need a pot with an 18 inch diameter and good drainage. Plant your tomatoes after the last frost date has passed. Dig a deep hole and cover 2/3 of the tomato stem with soil. This will encourage a strong root system to grow. After planting install a tomato cage or stakes right away to avoid disturbing the roots later on. Tomatoes need plenty of water and full sun. During the heat of summer you may need to water your tomatoes everyday. We recommend doing so in the morning before the sun gets to high in the sky. If you poke a finger into the soil and the first inch is dry its time to water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”16343″ alignment=”” animation=”None” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][vc_column_text]Lettuce, Kale, Spinach and other leafy salad greens enjoy cool weather. They grow best when they are direct seeded in the spring or fall. After the young plants emerge thin the plants to 4 to 6 inches apart. We recommend the “cut and come again” method. Harvest only the outer leaves of the plant to have greens all season long. While plants enjoy the sunlight they cannot handle the heat very well. Greens can do well with partial sun. Keep the pots in an area that receives morning sun and spares the plants from drying out in the heat of the afternoon. Lettuce in particular enjoys slightly moist soil constantly. The soil should be moist down to an inch deep.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#70a356″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Helpful Vocabulary “][vc_column_text]

Hardening Off – The process of gradually introducing young plants to direct sun, cool temperatures and dry air 7 to 10 days before they are transplanted. The first day introduce plants to 2 to 3 hours of direct sun. Gradually increase their exposure while making sure to protect them from temperatures below 40 degrees. If necessary bring them inside at night. Hardy plants can be hardened off at 40 degrees. Less hardy at 45 degrees.
Transplant – Moving a plant. In most cases this means replanting young plants outdoors or in larger pots.
Direct Seed- to place a seed in the soil and not move the resulting plant.
Full Sun- 6 hours or more of full sun a day.
Partial Sun/Partial Shade- 3 to 6 hours of full sun a day.

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Water Often! Containers tend to dry out quicker than traditional garden beds.
Feed! Start with a high quality potting mix that will provide your plants with the nutrients they need. Provide extra fertilizer if necessary with organic amendments like compost.
Enjoy! Get kids involved from the beginning and let them get their hands dirty. Show them how to water, weed, and nurture. Celebrate the fruits of your labor with a home cooked meal prepared together. We recommend the children’s cookbooks by Mollie Katzen with easy to follow, age appropriate recipes for children 3 and up.

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