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The Family Kitchen Garden: How to Plant, Grow & Cook Together
Everyone wants healthy children who choose potatoes over chips and oranges over Oreos, but it isn't always easy to convince a picky child to try something new.
The Family Kitchen Garden integrates the garden and kitchen in a simple, fun way that parents and children can enjoy together. By teaching kids how to garden, they will be more likely to eat what they grow -- what a rewarding way to encourage healthy foods!
Unlike other guides to gardening with children, these are not simple projects just for kids. Rather, the authors believe that kids can do -- and will enjoy -- the same type of gardening that adults do. Part One focuses on the nitty-gritty of gardening with how to keep sessions short, tips on how much to grow, and important safety precautions. Part Two is a month-by-month guide on what to sow, plant, harvest, and eat. Seasonal recipes include nutritious, kid-friendly foods like parsnip chips, rhubarb cake, and homemade ketchup. Part Three is an A-Z guide to vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers. Icons note which are plants particularly easy to grow and suitable for young children.
The Family Kitchen Garden is for parents who want to get their kids outside and for families looking for simple ways to lead a healthier life. Grab your kids and get gardening!
The Family Kitchen Garden integrates the garden and kitchen in a simple, fun way that parents and children can enjoy together. By teaching kids how to garden, they will be more likely to eat what they grow -- what a rewarding way to encourage healthy foods!
Unlike other guides to gardening with children, these are not simple projects just for kids. Rather, the authors believe that kids can do -- and will enjoy -- the same type of gardening that adults do. Part One focuses on the nitty-gritty of gardening with how to keep sessions short, tips on how much to grow, and important safety precautions. Part Two is a month-by-month guide on what to sow, plant, harvest, and eat. Seasonal recipes include nutritious, kid-friendly foods like parsnip chips, rhubarb cake, and homemade ketchup. Part Three is an A-Z guide to vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers. Icons note which are plants particularly easy to grow and suitable for young children.
The Family Kitchen Garden is for parents who want to get their kids outside and for families looking for simple ways to lead a healthier life. Grab your kids and get gardening!
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 19, 2013
This is a great beginner gardening book. I definitely fit into that category so I oohed and ahhed over all the pictures and ideas. I love month by month planning which this included. Right now I am just learning so any book that has a list is for me.
There isn't a lot of depth but that is ok for me as a beginner gardener, at this point I like to get the highlights of what I should be doing and not feel overwhelmed. As I learn, I can find more information on my own. There isn't a lot on gardening with children so if you are looking for those sort of ideas, you won't find them here.
The pictures add a lot and that probably had a lot to do with my positive feelings. It seems to me that a book on gardening should be rich in photos.
I have put it on my wish list for a book to own in my growing gardening library collection.
There isn't a lot of depth but that is ok for me as a beginner gardener, at this point I like to get the highlights of what I should be doing and not feel overwhelmed. As I learn, I can find more information on my own. There isn't a lot on gardening with children so if you are looking for those sort of ideas, you won't find them here.
The pictures add a lot and that probably had a lot to do with my positive feelings. It seems to me that a book on gardening should be rich in photos.
I have put it on my wish list for a book to own in my growing gardening library collection.
February 23, 2010
In the early spring of 2009, my brother, sister and I decided to plant a garden we could share at my brother’s house. I have a small herb garden, lavender garden and some flower beds at my house, but none of us have had a vegetable garden since we were kids. We rototilled some of my brother’s land, fertilized, and purchased some veggie plants from a local farm.
We were pretty much clueless as to spacing, the number of veggies a plant yields and when to harvest; it was the blind leading the blind. It seemed like we were constantly looking things up on the internet, with varied results. As a result we had cucumbers galore, we couldn’t give them away, not enough jalapenos and squash we never seemed to pick at the right time. I ordered this book hoping that this spring/summer gardening project will go so much smoother. I have no doubt that it will; it has already cleared up so much.
The Table Contents:
The Basics
• Includes everything from gardening with children, garden planning, crop protection, compost, pest control and much more.
Month by Month
• A month by month guide on what and when to sow, plant, harvest, and things to do to your plants, shrubs, trees and beds.
A-Z of Plants
• An index of the plants, subdivided by categories: Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs and Flowers
Index
The book contains detailed information on the plants, soil and position, sowing, planting and spacing, aftercare, common problems, harvesting and uses, varieties and companion planting. The pictures are simple and colorful photographs of the plant being discussed on the page. There are fun family crafts scattered throughout the book and even a few tasty recipes, too.
I received this book in August of 2009 and have opened it again and again whenever a plant or garden question has come up and I have yet to be disappointed. It has answered all the questions that I hoped it would, plus it gave me plenty more to think about and use. Definitely an invaluable resource for this beginner vegetable gardener!
Cherise Everhard, February 2010
We were pretty much clueless as to spacing, the number of veggies a plant yields and when to harvest; it was the blind leading the blind. It seemed like we were constantly looking things up on the internet, with varied results. As a result we had cucumbers galore, we couldn’t give them away, not enough jalapenos and squash we never seemed to pick at the right time. I ordered this book hoping that this spring/summer gardening project will go so much smoother. I have no doubt that it will; it has already cleared up so much.
The Table Contents:
The Basics
• Includes everything from gardening with children, garden planning, crop protection, compost, pest control and much more.
Month by Month
• A month by month guide on what and when to sow, plant, harvest, and things to do to your plants, shrubs, trees and beds.
A-Z of Plants
• An index of the plants, subdivided by categories: Vegetables, Fruit, Herbs and Flowers
Index
The book contains detailed information on the plants, soil and position, sowing, planting and spacing, aftercare, common problems, harvesting and uses, varieties and companion planting. The pictures are simple and colorful photographs of the plant being discussed on the page. There are fun family crafts scattered throughout the book and even a few tasty recipes, too.
I received this book in August of 2009 and have opened it again and again whenever a plant or garden question has come up and I have yet to be disappointed. It has answered all the questions that I hoped it would, plus it gave me plenty more to think about and use. Definitely an invaluable resource for this beginner vegetable gardener!
Cherise Everhard, February 2010
July 18, 2009
A feel good book. Makes you excited to plant, cultivate, and harvest with your children. I loved the fun and inspirational quotes from kids and teens as well as famous people throughout the book. I enjoyed the beginning section most about how to do ordinary gardening tasks successfully with children. I didn't think the monthly guide was as helpful because of the zone differences. I wouldn't plant things they suggested planting in February that soon. It throws off the entire 'schedule' that they outlined.
Good for beginning gardeners. redundant if you're experienced.
Good for beginning gardeners. redundant if you're experienced.
June 13, 2014
Of the books I read for a garden this was the one that had the most information and the best information. While the book was clearly written for those who want to involve children in gardening the information it provides is helpful for any level of gardener.
It breaks down gardening by month as well as by plant type. It also has information on how to correct or deal with the most common garden issues, like soil acidity, and common types of insects. Easy to follow and easy to read and get ideas for getting more out of any style garden.
It breaks down gardening by month as well as by plant type. It also has information on how to correct or deal with the most common garden issues, like soil acidity, and common types of insects. Easy to follow and easy to read and get ideas for getting more out of any style garden.
May 2, 2013
I really liked the way this book is organized. There are three main sections, the first of which goes over some gardening basics like soil types and pest control. The second section goes through the year month by month giving a break down of gardening chores, things to harvest, and recipes for using in-season produce. The final section is an A-Z list of plants with info on planting and care for each type.
October 11, 2016
This was a friendly read, with a friendly outlook. The author gives a month by month care program for the garden and does an admirable job in translating between British and American English. She gives many tips for parents involving their children in gardening. It's also a nice introduction for the novice gardener, without too much detail given, or an overwhelming amount of technical terminology. A basic practical and accessible text, well written.
February 21, 2010
This book has beautiful photos but seems a bit elementary on gardening. There didn't seem to be enough detail, enough "how to." The first part was somewhat inspiring for the idea that children can and should help in the garden, but the ideas didn't seem as helpful or not specific enough. I didn't learn enough about actual gardening in order to truly use this book.
October 26, 2010
A nice month-to-month guide including what should be sown, planted, kept, harvested and eaten. Includes a few simple recipes (parsnip crisps, for example) for getting kids interested in eating their efforts. For beginning planters, this provides an excellent family gardening outline- with lots of advice for successfully engaging children of all ages.
June 24, 2011
"The Family Kitchen Garden" has a delightful array of resources. The photos are delightful that accompany the month-by-month activities and glossary of fruits, vegetables and flowers. I recommend this book to families who are beginning a backyard garden, especially because it give tips for involving children.
May 26, 2015
Very helpful gardening guide with tips for beginners and extra tidbits on ways to have children help in the garden. The author is British, but she does an excellent job "translating." If a term is different in the US, she uses both. She also talks about planting in different climates. The best part of the book was the A to Z guide for vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
June 12, 2009
General coverage of a wide range of topics.
Good, but not outstanding.
I would recommend it as a book for beginners.
Good, but not outstanding.
I would recommend it as a book for beginners.
August 1, 2010
I have to keep refering to this book as I navigate my first garden. Great advice on what to plant, when and companion planting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews