There was a time when you did not have to travel far to show children where their food originated. Often the fruits and vegetables served at dinner were harvested right out of the backyard. And you know what? The backyard is still a good place to connect kids with the food they eat. You can get your kids excited about growing some of their own food by choosing things you know they love to eat, like berries.
Every kid loves strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Small fruits like these are ideal for the home garden because they don’t require a lot of space and you don’t have to have a dedicated place in your garden for them. Learn about a plant’s characteristics and incorporate it into your garden’s design just like you would use a shrub, perennial or annual.
You can edge a raised bed with strawberries or use them as a seasonal groundcover.
Plant a blueberry hedge.
Blackberries and raspberries will grow up trellises.
Grapes will scramble over an arbor.
Containers of strawberries and blueberries are especially kid friendly.
Most small fruits have the same basic growing requirements – full sun and well-draining soil. Be sure to select varieties that are suited to your climate and are disease and pest resistant.
Mini fruit pizzas are a delicious way to prepare the harvested fruits.