Plant some potatoes with your kids

If you are new to gardening I suggest you start small. I live in North Central Texas, and our summers are impossibly HOT! I am from Southern California, and it seems to me that having a garden there was so much easier!

I started with several herbs that can be grown in little pots in the window sill. Be careful as the summer progresses you will need to take care that the plants don't get too much sun, or scorch. 

Herbs: Catnip, Dill, Basil, Thyme, Chives

Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Red Potato with eyes

Another easy plant to grow in Texas is potatoes. Start with an organic potato. Non organic potatoes are treated with some chemical that restricts them from growing in your pantry. Allow the potato to grow eyes. Cut it into 4 pieces and leave on the counter overnight. 

Create a good place for them to grow. You could use an old whiskey barrel, a raised bed, or a really large pot. As they grow you will want to mound dirt on the top of the area they are growing, but do NOT cover the green stem growing upward. Water regularly, but don't keep wet. In about 6 weeks you will have a bunch of potatoes!

Preparing an avocado seed

 Another cool thing is to bury the top of your pineapple. Yes it will grow! Enjoy your fresh, preferably organic pineapple now and then see what happens when you plan the top. I also love to plant my avocado seeds. I start them in water, as I have done for years but heard you don't need to do this step. 

We need to teach children that good foods come from our gardens, yes in all that good organic dirt! Kids love dirt, now show them it’s good for more than mud pies! Somehow kids think food has to come from the grocery store. I think we need to take the time to teach them better than that. Even if you’re busy plant a few fruit trees, or some herbs, or perhaps potatoes!

Avocado Plant @ 2 months

I volunteer at the BRIT - Botanical Research Institute of Texas, and the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. The children we teach are fascinated to see their food growing. They are really proud when they can plant something and then later eat it!

Check out your area http://www.motherearthnews.com/ask-our-experts/what-vegetables-would-grow