Denise Arnold, Nutrition Tips

It&8217;s finally spring and with the longer, warmer days, I have started planning my gardening for this coming year. As a child I helped my parents plant, weed, then harvest a large farm garden. With that experience and remembrances of the taste and freshness of homegrown vegetables as a child, I made sure for my own children&8217;s benefit that wherever we lived, if possible, I planted some sort of garden also. My goal this year is to have my grandchildren help me in the garden. When the grandkids come over, they will get a lesson in planting, tending, and the best part, tasting, their hard work. We in turn are proving them with behavioral and health benefits they are totally unaware of.

During the long days of summer, gardening can be a solution to &8220;I&8217;m bored&8221; comments we hear from our children. Gardening gets them back to nature, away from televisions, computers, and other mind occupying busyness. It shows them how living things flourish over time, with nurturing and care. Unknowingly it reflects back to them being able to care for themselves in the same way.

They learn hands on what they learned in science class during school.

Brain cells used for critical thinking and planning are used as they decide what to plant and where to put seedlings based on the plant&8217;s sunlight and moisture needs.

Gardening lets them explore nature and they learn that &8220;good things&8221; come from the earth (not just a box or can).

In this they learn to care for their environment and become caretakers of it.

Children who become involved in nature and growing things become more interested in eating healthy nutritious foods. Have you ever had your children help cook a meal? They are much more likely to eat their dinner if they help cook it. The same with gardening. As children watch the fruits of their endeavors grow, few can resist the fresh strawberries, carrots, beans, or peas, right off the vine when it comes time to pick them in. It teaches them make healthier snack choices. Gardening is also a good way to burn calories and build muscle. As physical education opportunities in schools become fewer we as family members need to find other activities that will help the children in our lives use their muscles.

Parents tell me that on the average, their child gets two days of gym class a week and less and less recess time. Thirty minutes of weeding and planting burns as many calories as walking one mile. The key is to not make working in the garden a chore. Then it is no longer fun. Start by being an example to them by showing them how much you love gardening.

It can be contagious. Here are some ways to help get your child fired up about gardening:

Let them choose what they want to plant. Offer guidance though so they pick out successful plants.

Don&8217;t be too picky and don&8217;t expect a child to be perfect at weeding. So what if there are crooked rows or they accidentally pull up a few plants. You are going to have to do some behind-the-scenes work.

Buy seedlings and let them help plant them. They will see quickly how watering and tending will help perk up the plant.

Leave room for just digging holes and let little children get their hands dirty. They might find worms! It&8217;s just another science lesson in the making.

Have them make colorful signs to mark what they planted.

Don&8217;t forget to let them plant some flowers here and there for color.

Plant fun plants like giant pumpkinseeds or sunflower seeds. They will be amazed at the result.

Best of all, at the end of the summer season, not only will you have grown yummy things to eat, flowers to cut for a pretty bouquet, or seeds for winter birdfeeders, you may have created another gardener and tender of the earth.

Denise Arnold is a registered and licensed dietitian at Albert Lea Medical Center &8212; part of Mayo Health System.