Compost is an excellent source of organic matter for garden soils. Composting also closes the recycling loop by turning waste materials into a soil amendment. You can make compost at home or buy commercially prepared compost.
“Vermicomposting” — using worms to turn waste into compost — is perfect for small gardens and provides children a living example of how nature recycles organic matter.
Constructing and maintaining a garden is a perfect way to teach kids how to use a variety of tools. Just like adults, children do best with tools that are of good quality, not too heavy, and in good condition.
All types of gardens — windowsill, vertical, in containers, or in the ground — will require irrigating. It’s a good idea to develop a way to irrigate your garden before you plant anything.
To determine the health of your soil, you can test it for its nutrient content and for contamination. All county Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service offices provide soil testing services for a reasonable fee or it may be free.
Harvest time is when you will reap the satisfaction of all your hard work and deep attention to the garden. If plants are harvested properly, they will continue to produce delicious fruits and vegetables over a longer period of time.
We developed a sample crop calendar that follows a typical school year. View the PDF.
Check out this Kentucky initiative for at-home gardening.
