Sensory Garden for Babies and Toddlers: Engaging Little Ones in the Garden
You don't have to wait until your kids can walk to start gardening together. Babies and toddlers are sensory learners, and Santa Cruz County gardens offer textures, scents, and tastes that create powerful early memories. Learn which plants are safe to explore and simple activities for ages 0-3.
How Gardening Supports Kids' Mental Health: Building Emotional Resilience in the Garden
Regular time in the garden can support children's mood, stress regulation, and emotional wellbeing. Here's what the research shows and how to make it work.
5 Easy Crops Kids Can Grow in Santa Cruz
The secret to getting kids excited about gardening? Quick wins. These 5 crops are perfect for Santa Cruz County kids: sunflowers grow dramatically tall, cherry tomatoes provide endless sweet snacks, snap peas climb and crunch, radishes are ready in just a month, and strawberries turn into a daily treasure hunt. Our mild climate means you can try these nearly year-round.
Gardening with Kids 101: Growing the Next Generation of Gardeners
Gardening with children is sensory exploration for babies, science class for school-age kids, and a chance to connect as a family. This guide covers age-appropriate activities from infants to teens, the best plants for each stage, and tips for keeping it fun. In Santa Cruz County, our year-round growing season means every season offers something to plant, watch, or harvest together.
How Gardening Shapes Kids' Eating Habits: What the Research Shows (and How to Make It Work)
Kids who help grow food are more likely to taste it, enjoy it, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make it work in your Santa Cruz garden.
Building a Pizza Garden with Kids
If you want to get kids genuinely excited about gardening, give them a purpose they care about. A pizza garden grows the ingredients for homemade pizza: tomatoes for sauce, basil and oregano for flavor, peppers for toppings. Make it a circle divided into "slices" or use containers. Either way, the payoff is a pizza made with ingredients your kids grew themselves. Includes Santa Cruz planting times, care tips, and simple recipes for dough and sauce.
Physical and Developmental Benefits of Gardening with Kids: Building Bodies and Brains in the Garden
Gardening supports children's physical development and cognitive skills in ways that feel like play. Here's how to match garden activities to your child's age.