Not only will growing your own food save you A LOT of money on produce (as much as 20% on your grocery bill), but it’s also a great way to get your Picky Eaters trying new foods. In fact, studies repeatedly show that kids who grow their own produce are more likely to try that food…even picky eaters.
The great thing is that you don’t need a big backyard, a raised bed, or even a green thumb. Just a few pots will do.
Here are our Top 3 Vegetables that are the easiest (and quickest) to grow at home, that even Picky Eaters will enjoy.
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Cucumber. Whether you grow from seed or from little plants purchased at a nursery, these little delights are so easy to grow. Cucumbers only take about 7-9 weeks from seed to maturity (perfect for our anxious kids). Just one plant can produce 22 pounds of cucumbers so prepare for a fun harvest. If growing in a container, limit it to one plant per container and make sure your container is at least 12 inches deep. If growing in a container, you will also need a trellis for the vines to climb as the plant grows.
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Leaf Lettuce. Head lettuce can be tough to grow but leaf lettuce is oh-so-easy. It only needs a container 6-8 inches deep so even a deck planter will work for this. You can start from seed or from a small plant. Seed to harvest is only 7 weeks making this perfect for your little growers.
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Radishes. Radishes don’t usually top the list of favorite foods for kids, but they just might change their mind after growing them. Radishes have the quickest growing cycle. Seed to harvest is only 4 weeks. They can be grown in a shallow container just 4-8 inches deep.
Giving any one of these a try will be really fun for your kids and can produce a delicious salad this summer. And don’t worry if your kids won’t eat salad yet. They are 5x more likely to eat salad if they grow it.
If you need more help getting started, be sure to check out the Healthy Kids Inc. seed to table meal planner. It's the only meal planning tool that shows you how to grow the vegetables featured in your favorite meals.