How do I cook swiss chard?
How can I get my kids in the garden with me?
And what do I do with all this kale?
Find out the answers to these questions and more at two events this August through Five Rivers MetroParks, where families can learn more about digging into their gardens and into fresh foods.
Families in the Garden, held August 15, will give children and adults activities and information about gardening together. While kids can enjoy painting a pot and planting seeds, parents will learn how-tos and the benefits of incorporating their children into home gardening.
“There’s a lot of research that shows if kids are in the garden growing their own food they are more likely to try various types of vegetables and fruit,” says Ashley Coning, a Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor connections education specialist. “Gardening encourages them to eat in a way that’s healthy and just be outside and engage in the world and get their hands dirty.”
A second event, Veggie-Palooza, will help families learn what to do with all that fresh food. In partnership with the United Way of Greater Dayton, MetroParks staff will be joined by nutrition experts from the University of Dayton and the Montgomery County Department of Public Health.
“We are hoping people will walk away knowing what to do with the summer bounty from their gardens, their CSAs or the food pantry,” says Luci Beachdell, community garden supervisor at MetroParks.
Attendees will have the opportunity to watch grilling demonstrations, learn tips for preparing unusual vegetables, preserving food and much more. Be sure to visit the create-your-own pizza station, where families can prepare pizzas with toppings from the garden.
“We want to emphasize that it’s never too late to start a garden, there are plenty of things that go into the ground starting in August for fall harvest.”
Both events are designed to help families discover nature, enjoy the outdoors and learn about healthy eating and lifestyles. “We want to emphasize that it’s never too late to start a garden,” Coning says. “There are plenty of things that go into the ground starting in August for fall harvest.”
Upcoming kids gardening programs
Gardening Basics for Kids
August 3 & August 10
10 – 11 am
Wegerzyn Gardens Metro
Park, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Skeeter’s Shelter
$5/child. Pre-register at metroparks.org
Families in the Garden
August 15
10 – 11:30 am
Possum Creek MetroPark
4790 Frytown Rd., Education Building
$5/child. Pre-register at metroparks.org
Veggie-Palooza
August 22
1- 4 pm
Grace United Methodist Church
(enter at Salem Avenue and Dartmouth entrance.)
Free. Pre-register at metroparks.org.
