There is nothing more rewarding than eating crops you’ve produced in your own backyard. The school holidays are the perfect opportunity to teach your children the delight of growing their own vegetables. It’s time to get the kids out of the house and into the garden.
Growing your own veggies is a great way to introduce your little ones to the magic of gardening. They can watch the process unfold in front of their eyes – from planting, to harvesting, to the dinner table – delicious veg on demand. Potatoes are a good vegetable to start with. What kid doesn’t love chips? With this easy-harvest potato planter, you and your children will be growing your own potatoes in no time.
You’ll need: Two medium plastic terracotta pots; a craft knife; a ruler; a pencil; some potting mix; one or two potatoes which have ‘eyes’ (a little sprout or two).
Let’s get started
- It’s time to make your easy-harvest potato planter. The first step is to take one of the pots and, using the ruler and pencil, mark three areas along the side of the pot to be cut out. Make sure to leave a 5cm edge at the top and bottom of your pot.
- The next step is a bit tricky. Parents, it’s best if you assist your kids with this one. Use the craft knife to cut out the 3 marked panels of your pot.
- After all the panels have been removed, place your cut out pot into the other one. This pot should still be completely whole. Get your child to place some potting mix in the bottom.
- Now it’s time for your little one to plant their potato. Add the potato to the soil in the pot and then cover it with a little more potting mix. Your child should then water it thoroughly.
- Now for the magic – WATCH IT GROW! This is the easy part, let the potato do the work. Leave your potato planter in the sun and water it well every few days. As the plant grows, your child can add more potting mix, covering the stem and leaves.
- Give the plant around two months to grow. After two months you can lift out the inner pot and harvest a potato! Wow! Turn the potato into chips and enjoy. (Don’t forget to plant another one).
Details: lifeisagarden.co.za
