Time to plant those nursery six packs and throw seeds in your garden! By the end of the school year for most of us, we will be able to throw in some home grown veggies into our lunch boxes. Even if you are very limited on space, you can select 2 or 3 favorite items to grow. If you kid is a picky eater when it comes to vegetables, this is a golden opportunity to let them select the vegetable to grow and nurture. Once their chosen veggie hits their lunchbox they will feel great pride in showing and sharing their home grown vegetables to buddies at school. They may even branch out and try growing vegetables they’ve never tried or thought they didn’t like! In fact, gardening may help kids developmentally and make them happier… For real
! Check out the article here.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to gardening, check out the The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Under their “Gardening” tab you will find a plethora of information on how, when, and where to start your garden. Some favorites at our house include lettuce (spring mix seeds can be thrown right on the soil), basil, heirloom tomatoes, and peppers. One jalapeno plant produces an insane amount of peppers, and it is great to be able to run outside and pick one whenever it would add that wonderful kick to your meal (although, jalapeno peppers are probably not high on the list of what to send in your kids lunch container!). A single cherry tomato plant produces an insane amount of tasty treats to throw in any lunchbox, and are particularly fun for kids to pick.
Even if you don’t have time to start or maintain a garden, it is time to seek out farmer’s markets and buy local produce at your market. If you let your child pick out their lunchbox vegetables and perhaps cut them into cool shapes for their school lunch, they will be a lot more likely to eat them. In my opinion, it is fun to play with your food! Life is short … plant, pick, play, enjoy 
