fruits
cherry tomato
Why: Cherry tomatoes are one of the most common things for beginners to grow, especially with children around. Children loves picking these great little sweet snacks off their stems!
When: Late spring or early summer.
Where: Tomatoes can be sown directly in the garden or indoors first then transplanted. Although I recommend growing it indoors first to give it a head start since tomatoes do not tolerate frost at all once the temperature begins to cool again. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inches deep. When transplanting, plant it about 2/3 deep in the soil or up until the first set of leaves as the deeper the plant is, the stronger and healthier root system they will have. The ideal temperature is 25 to 30◦C.
Care: It needs a lot of full direct exposure to sunlight (at least 6-8 hours each day). Tomatoes love the heat and require warm weather to grow. Water it approximately once a day, sometimes even twice if it is a really hot day. It is important to water slowly to ensure it is seeping deeply through the soil and reaching its roots (6 to 8 inches of soil should be moist). It is best to provide some type of support such as a tomato cage to encourage tomatoes to grow vertically and protect them against strong winds. Fertilize it regularly about once a week and mulch well.
DTM: 60 to 80 days.
Harvest: Harvest once tomatoes reach desired color, red. If you have accidentally picked off green tomatoes, it can be ripen indoors by simply leaving it in room temperature for a few days or weeks. Gently twist the tomatoes to break it off its stem; it should come off very easily when ripe. Tomatoes will continue to grow until frost kills them.
strawberry
Why: Strawberries are juicy and sweet; many children will enjoy eating them (especially when dipped in chocolate!). It is also packed with vitamins and fiber.
When: Early spring in general but depending on which type (June bearing, everbearing, or day neutral), you will get fruit at different times.
Where: Can be sowed directly in the garden or indoors then transplanted, although it would be better to start them indoors to give it a head start and wait for the last frost to pass. Space out the transplants about 24 inches apart to allow room for runners and approximately 48 inches apart in rows. The ideal temperature is 16 to 27◦C.
Care: Strawberries love to be in sunny areas with moderate temperature. Water your strawberry plants a few times a week for a total of 1 inch of water. It would be ideal to fertilize and mulch around your strawberry plant to receive enough nitrogen and retain moisture.
DTM: 60 days.
Harvest: You will know it is ready to be harvested when it is completely red and it has a sweet smell to it. Harvest by cutting the stem as pulling the berry could potentially bruise this delicate fruit.
zucchini
Why: Zucchini are a great source of potassium, antioxidant, and vitamins including C and K. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is also used as a healthy substitute for many dishes including noodles and fries.
When: Mid to late spring.
Where: Zucchini can be planted either directly in the garden or start early indoors and then transplanted later. Sow about 3 seeds in each area you want to grow with 1 inch deep in the soil and 18 to 24 inches apart. Once it sprouts a little, thin to the healthiest one. Space each row 36 to 48 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 25 to 35◦C.
Care: Give them exposure to full sun, warm weather, and lots of room to grow for a successful crop. It needs approximately 1 inch of water a week. You may add a layer of mulch around the zucchini plant to help keep in moisture.
DTM: 40 to 60 days.
Harvest: Once zucchini have grown between 3 and 8 inches long, you may harvest them. It is ideal to harvest it with a sharp scissors or knife with an inch of stem attached for longer storage. I recommend you to wear gloves when harvesting as the vines can be quite prickly.
pepper
Why: Peppers are sweet, crunchy and juicy and it is an overall great snacks for children. Aside from all its health benefits, it also looks really colorful in the garden as it is growing.
When: Early spring for indoors.
Where: Sow directly in the garden or indoors then transplanted once soil has warmed up in summer. It is recommended you start indoors then transplanted as it needs a long and warm growing season. Sow ½ inch deep indoors with 18 to 24 inches apart and transplant once it grows to about 6 to 8 inches tall. The ideal temperature is 25 to 29◦C.
Care: Peppers will need support such as a wire cage to keep it upright as it grows. It thrives in warm temperature and requires full sun exposure. Adding a layer of mulch around the plant will help regulate soil temperature and moisture.
DTM: 90 to 120 days depending on the type of pepper.
Harvest: It is ready to be harvested once it feels firm to the touch and reaches your desired mature color (e.g., red, yellow, orange). Leaving the peppers on the plant for longer to ripen will increase the sweetness or hotness level (depending on type of pepper) and vitamin C content as well. Use a sharp scissor or knife to harvest while leaving an inch of stem attached to it.
pumpkin
Why: Pumpkins are wonderful to grow and different types of pumpkins will have different purposes of why it is grown, so decide if you want it for jack-o’-lantern pumpkin carving or for making into delicious pumpkin pies!
When: Late spring (you will want it planted in the garden by June 15th at the latest to harvest before October 31st).
Where: Pumpkins are best when planted directly in the garden when the soil has warmed up, although transplanting will work as well. Sow 2 or 3 seeds an inch deep and 36 to 48 inches apart and thin the healthiest one, this will ensure that at least one of the seeds will sprout. To make seeds germinate quicker and the soil to warm faster, consider planting seeds in small “hills” of soil. Space each row 48 to 72 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 25 to 35◦C.
Care: It prefers full sunlight but will still thrive under partial shade. Pumpkins are very sensitive to cold and grow best in warm temperatures. Fertilize every few weeks or even weekly for larger pumpkins and mulch to keep in the moisture. Pumpkins require lots of room to grow and lots of water. Aim to water slowly so the water can soak deeply in the soil and encourage deep root growth. Avoid getting water on the leaves as this will cause a type of fungus called powdery mildew to grow.
DTM: 95 to 120 days.
Harvest: When it is ready to be harvested, the pumpkin should have reached its desired color and its outer skin should be hard enough to not be dented with your fingernail. Cut the pumpkin from the vine, leaving 2 or 3 inches of stem still attached.