Garden activities for kids, Vegie on View

Writing Names on Fruit and Vegies

Posted on by Erica
Message on a Banana
Message on a Banana
WRITING NAMES AND DESIGNS ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Scratching your children’s name into growing pumpkins, zucchinis or melons is such a fun and simple activity, but it gives the children months’ worth of enjoyment as they watch their creations grow!
Here are 3 tried and tested edibles that work really well for this activity:

  • Pumpkins, zucchinis (and any other members of the squash family)
  • Watermelon
  • Passion fruit (scratch your design while they’re still green)

Continue reading →

Other, Our environment, Recipes, Vegie on View

Bush Tucker – Warrigal Greens

Posted on by Erica
01
Jun

Warrigal green quiche
What better way to celebrate National Reconciliation Week than with a popular bush tucker plant and recipe.
Back when I was in school, we were taught that Australian history began when Captain Cook “discovered” Australia.  And celebrations of Indigenous culture were almost non-existent. Thank goodness things have changed!
Nowadays, we have a Welcome to Country ceremony at most official functions. Children are immersed in Indigenous culture from their pre-school days.  And at school, Australian history begins long before 1770.
Bush tucker is becoming increasing popular and many of the plants are super easy for kids to grow. In this blog, we will highlight a bush tucker plant that you will probably have seen growing wild and thought it was just a weed. Continue reading →

Competitions and Grants, FREE stuff, Garden activities for kids, School garden, Vegie on View

Winter Vegie Growing Competition

Posted on by Erica
19
Feb

Winter vegie growing challenge
Yates and Junior Landcare have teamed up again to offer children, families, schools and community groups some fabulous prizes just by growing their own winter vegies and sharing their story.
Yates will be providing free seeds and Gardening 4 Kids stocks plenty of child friendly garden tools, equipment and gloves to help you on your way with the challenge.  And this year, our very own Erica Lovel will be on the judging panel.
Gardening 4 Kids will be offering tips and advice throughout the Challenge via our Facebook and Twitter pages. We will share our successes and our failures! Continue reading →

Flowers, Garden activities for kids, Vegie on View, What to plant and when

Top 10 Summer Plants for Kids

Posted on by Erica
15
Dec
Strawberries - Kids love to eat them straight off the bush
Strawberries – Kids love to eat them straight off the bush
There are so many amazing plants that fruit and flower in summer, it’s really difficult to pick just a few – but here’s Gardening 4 Kids top picks for summer 2014-15! Continue reading →

Flowers, Garden activities for kids, Vegie on View, What to plant and when

Super Easy Plants for Kids to Grow

Posted on by Erica
07
Dec
Cherry tomatoes on bush
Cherry Tomatoes are super easy for kids to grow

As much as us parents would like our children to jump straight in and love gardening, it’s not always the case.  Some kids need lots of encouragement and some quick, easy ideas to help spark their interest in gardening.

Of my four children, only two of them have naturally been drawn to the pleasure that gardening can bring.  The other two needed a gentle push along the way.  And two plants in particular have assisted my family over the years – geraniums and cherry tomatoes.

Both of these plants are super easy to grow and kids get a real thrill from successful gardening experiences. Continue reading →

Vegie on View

Vegie on View – Pumpkins

Posted on by Erica
31
Oct

Pumpkin facts for kids
Today is Halloween and whether you agree with the traditions of the day, there is no denying that pumpkins are great ‘vegies’. They are easy for kids to grow, they make delicious soups and scones and they are fun to carve. Here are ten facts about pumpkins you may not know – make sure you share them with the kids!

  1. The largest pumpkin grown on record weighs in at over 920 kilograms! This record was only set recently.
  2. Pumpkins are thought to have originated from North America. Continue reading →
Vegie on View

Vegie on View – Potatoes

Posted on by Erica
15
Mar
Kids love potatoes
Potatoes are a versatile vegie enjoyed all around the world.
Sunday, 17th March, is St Patrick’s Day and which vegie is most associated with the Irish? Why the humble potato of course! Potatoes are a much loved vegie not only by the Irish but by kids as well so here are ten facts about the humble spud to share:

  1. Potatoes are cheap, easy to grow and require very little fertiliser making them an environmentally friendly crop and perfect for kids to grow in the garden.
  2. Potatoes were the first food to ever be grown in space. They were taken on board Space Shuttle Columbia in 1995. Continue reading →
Vegie on View

Vegie on View – Mushrooms

Posted on by Erica
03
Jul
Mushrooms for kids
Fungi are fascinating for kids
This week’s ‘Vegie’ on View are mushrooms however they aren’t really a vegie at all – they are a type of fungus. These fascinating fungi are perfect for kids – they don’t require a garden, they grow in the dark and can even be grown in cupboards! Here are some other fun facts about the humble mushroom: Continue reading →