Edibles

Tomatoes and Childcare in North Carolina

Edibles, Plantings
Cherry tomatoes growing happily in a raised planter.
Tomatoes and Childcare in North Carolina
Tomatoes grow happily amongst other edibles as two children cycle by.

In December 2010, the ban on growing tomatoes in outdoor learning environments at licensed childcare centers in North Carolina was lifted.  Tomatoes can now be grown in the outdoor learning environments of children three years of age and older, as long as proper supervision is in place.

Starting Seeds in the Spring

Edibles, Plantings
Seedlings just begin to emerge from the soil. What do you think the "white fuzz" is?
A tomato seedling stretches upwards towards the grow light.
Tomato seedlings ready for thinning.
Seedlings nearly ready for planting grow in a greenhouse.
A child proudly displays her seedling grown as a Mother's Day gift.

Starting plants from seeds indoors to be ready for planting the spring garden is a great idea and there are several important considerations to be successful—timing, planting depth, and light for new seedlings. 

Safely Installing Planters on Asphalt

Edibles, Installation, Plantings
Herbs and marigolds thrive in a raised planter.
Shrubs and ornamental grasses thrive in large containers on asphalt at the Museum of Life and Science, Durham, NC.
The asphalt was removed beneath these raised cinder block planters at the Lucas School, Australia.

Sometimes the best or only option for greening an outdoor learning environment is to install planters directly on asphalt. Several options for safely installing raised planters on ashphalt are provided.

Raised Planters: Timber Construction

Affordable settings and elements, Edibles, Plantings
Six-inch raised planters at Bright Horizons Family Solutions CDC, RTP, NC.
Get the kids involved with labelling the plants!
A small raised planter with dividers.
Raised planters shortly after construction in an ideal arrangement for class groups to gather at Chapel Hill Day Care Center.
These raised planters were inspired by a train theme at this childcare center.
Raised planters that are narrow enough for children to reach in from both sides at Heron Pond Montessori, Kitty Hawk, NC.
The height and narrow width of this planter at Munchkin Academy, Buxton, NC, make it easier for kids to care for the plants.
A double-level raised planter.

Raised garden planters are one of the foundational elements in natualized outdoor learning environments. They are more easily accessible, easier to control soil quality, and easier to maintain than in-ground beds. Requiring only lumber and soil, they are fairly affordable, as well.

Harvesting and Eating Sunflower Seeds

Edibles, Plantings
Sunflower seeds from a child care center in Western North Carolina.
The children enjoyed investigating these sunflower seed heads.

The birds are attracted to sunflowers in your garden because they benefit from the high nutritional value sunflower seeds provide. They are also preparing for the winter months when there will be less food for them to eat.  Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron as well as vitamin B complex, and a valuable source for protein, fiber and polyunsaturated fat.

Selecting Edible Plants

Edibles, Plantings
Children pick apples in their outdoor learning environment.

Learn about selecting edible plants in landscapes designed for children and families.

Growing Edibles in Containers

Edibles, Plantings
Peppers grow in a repurposed bucket at Munchkin Academy, Buxton, NC.
Peppers grow in repurposed buckets at Munchkin Academy, Buxton, NC.
Edible herbs and flowering annuals grow in recycled washing machine drums at Montessori Children's School, Jacksonville, NC.

Container gardening is a great way to grow fresh edible produce in a child care center setting.  Children delight in growing and eating their own food. Whether the center staff want to grow a few tasty herbs, a pot of strawberries, or lettuce and tomatoes for delicious salads, there are four keys for successful edible container gardening.

Farm to Preschool

Community engagement, Edibles
Raised vegetable garden ready for harvest at Total Child Care Center, Wilmington, NC.
First green bean harvest from the garden at Total Child Care Center, Wilmington, NC.
Tomatoes and marigolds grow happily together at Heron Pond Montessori, Manteo, NC.

Farm to Preschool aims to influence the eating habits of young children while their preferences are forming by improving healthy food access at home and within the community. Farm to Preschool encompasses all prekindergarten programs and focuses on school gardening and connecting farms and schools.

Children’s Vegetable Gardens: Introduction

Design guidance, Edibles, Latest, Plantings
Spring lettuce grows in this square-foot garden bed.
Vegetables, including corn, thrive in this raised garden bed.
Children help tend the garden in this child care center
A square-foot garden like this is one option for maximizing small spaces.
Beans, herbs, and greens are growing in this two-tiered vegetable garden.
Involving children throughout the gardening process creates many opportunities for hands-on learning.

Gardening with children provides numerous opportunities for hands-on learning, inquiry, observation, and experimentation. With some planning, you can design and install a garden that will suit the needs of the children and adults that will be using it. Dream big, start small, and have fun!

Early Spring in the Garden

Children's Books, Edibles, Latest, Plantings, Programming
Carrots are a good winter and early spring plant, and are easy to grow from seeds.
Broccoli is ripening in this early spring garden at a child care center.
Children can help plant and assist in other seasonal activities.
A square foot gardening just beginning.
Newspaper pots being made
Newspaper pots with seedlings getting ready to transplant

Early spring is a time bursting with possibilities in the garden, even while the air is still cold and the days are just beginning to lengthen. Here are ways to jump start spring in the garden with kids, taking advantage of everything the season has to offer.