Let’s Dig In!

“I can do it. We can do it! Let’s dig in!“

Those were the inspired words that rolled off my semi-motivational tongue, as I approached our three children at this year’s “spring break” starting line.

For our family, the arrival of spring brings with it a call-to-action to get outdoors, and it’s a great time to take full advantage of qualified, outdoor learning opportunities. With temperatures warming up and daily sunlight increasing, “what better way . . . ” I asked myself, “to enjoy lessons of science, nutrition and healthy eating habits than to take the classroom outside?”

“Let’s plant a garden!”

One of my favorite aspects of homeschooling is the freedom to realize what I have long believed; that applied knowledge is the springboard to true understanding. And, with spring now sprung, we were about to grow some knowledge in nature’s classroom.

So, where to begin? Fortunately, the DOLE Garden Kit offers everything needed to get started with a garden – just add water, sunshine and, in the case of my boys, a little patience.

This turnkey kit was designed to teach kids how food grows while associating lessons of science, nutrition and healthy eating habits. In fact, teaching children the value of healthy eating has been a mission of the DOLE Food Company for over twenty years.

Inside, you’ll find 12 seed varieties, including broccoli, tomatoes, kale, carrots and more. Additionally, peat pots, trays, row markers, a garden journal with tips, nutrition information and recipes are all included. I got a separate kit for each child and am finding that, through nurturing their own gardens, each is actually gaining further senses of responsibility and accomplishment.

So far, the consensus is that this experience has been very enjoyable to the extent that we might even graduate our family gardening to an even more involved level. For now, I’m grateful that we were able to introduce the notion with all associated lessons, thanks to this fantastic resource from DOLE.

~Michele T. (mom of three active children)

Order your Dole Garden Kit today! To learn more about the Dole Nutrition Institute visit our website. You can also follow the Dole Nutrition Institute on Twitter. Happy Gardening!