LEARNING ACTIVITY
Creating a food garden: harvesting
Category: Food Production
Climate Region: Arid | Temperate | Tropical
State or Territory:
Age Range: 7-13

STORY

Beth and her Junior Landcare group have been closely monitoring the seedlings they planted in their food garden bed. Eliza kept the plants watered and Hayley wrote daily observations in the planting journal. The Junior Landcarers made sure they kept the packets their seeds came in so they could compare their observations with the guidelines on the packaging. With much excitement and anticipation, the tiny buds started sprouting within the time frame. Beth and her group were excited as they knew that they would soon have produce to harvest!

While the Junior Landcarers waited for their plants to grow, the group decided to discuss what they would do with their harvest. Beth shared with the group that her family shares their tomatoes with the neighbours on a regular basis. Beth also said that once a month, she joins her mum going to a community swap where families bring fruits, vegetables and herbs that they have grown to swap with other families. Beth enjoys looking at the different types of produce that people grow in their gardens; attending this community swap is one of her favourite things to do.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

The satisfaction of eating straight from the garden is one of life’s best learning experiences and practically demonstrates the value of knowing where your food comes from.

This learning activity is part of a sequence of 5 individual learning activities focused on creating a food garden. The order of these learning activities are: vision, site assessment, installing a no dig garden bed, planting and harvesting.

Outcomes

For children to:

  • understand the steps in successful harvesting of a food garden
  • enjoy being active and productive outdoors and build their social and teamwork skills
  • follow the steps of plan, collect, clean and share
  • value the harvest and the benefits of sharing amongst the community.
SEASONAL NOTES

Each plant will be ready to harvest at different seasons. Because local conditions will vary, it is best to observe and test your plants for readiness first. Use the advice on plant and seed packaging as well as garden guides to help with your planning.

Did you know?

In Australia, over 5 million tonnes of food ends up as landfill – this is equivalent to filling 9,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Did you know?

Potatoes are the most popular vegetable crop eaten in Australia. Potatoes appear on the plates on dinner tables everywhere and are commonly eaten as chips. 

Did you know?

One of the quickest vegetables to grow is a radish, it can be harvested after 25 days.

Did you know?

In Australia, over 5 million tonnes of food ends up as landfill – this is equivalent to filling 9,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

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Your feedback will help Landcare Australia improve the activities in the Junior Landcare Learning Centre.

Why not try one of our other Junior Landcare learning activities?

Love Letters to the Land

Biodiversity|First Nations Perspectives|Food Production|Waste Management

Creating a food garden: vision

Food Production

Creating a food garden: planting

Food Production

Creating a food garden: installing a no dig garden bed

Food Production