Pizza Garden

There's almost nothing kids like to eat more than pizza, and since children love to grow things that they can eat, a pizza garden can be both enjoyable and educational. For example, most people are used to buying pizza sauce that has already been prepared at the grocery store, but you can teach children about the process of making pizza sauce by growing, harvesting and making your own sauces.

According to Richardson, any age is a good age for a child to start gardening; you just need to adapt your expectations to the child's age. A two-year-old can push a seed into the soil, and a 7- to 8-year-old can plant seeds, transplant seedlings and harvest plants. But don't expect kids to be able to work in the garden weeding for two hours or planting row after row of seeds.

Make sure to let your kids know what to expect before you begin. Inform children about the insects they may encounter when gardening. For example, it's okay to touch a slug. Although slugs may feel slimy, they won't hurt you. However, warn children of harmful bugs such as wasps and wasp nests. Discuss the science aspect of gardening such as how root systems work and how some insects are beneficial to plants.

You also want to provide your children with the proper size gardening tools. For example, when harvesting herbs, children should use small scissors rather than larger gardening shears. There are lots of kid-friendly tools available for gardening. Avoid the plastic varieties. Richardson suggests using miniature-sized versions of the adult tools such as trowels and shovels with wooden handles. You can find most quality gardening tools for children at your local nurseries and garden centers.

Planting

The following are a few plants Richardson suggests growing in a pizza garden:

purple 'Masquerade' peppers
basil
oregano
rosemary
onion chives
tomatoes
onions