With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to get outside, soak up the sunshine and get your hands dirty! Gardening with children of any age is a wonderful way to connect with the seasons and each other while cultivating flowers, herbs and vegetables for the whole family to enjoy.
“There are so many benefits to spending time as a family in the garden,” says Esalen Farm Supervisor Chris Omer. “A big one is cultivating wonder in children through exploration with nature. It can be digging through the soil to see what creatures they can find, picking a fresh pea off the vine or rummaging through the earth in search of a potato to harvest. All of it can light children up.”
This month, we brainstormed with Esalen farmers to create this fun and easy guide to planting a family garden.
Start with Large Seeds and Quick-to-Germinate Plants
The simple act of placing a seed in the ground, watering it and watching it grow is such a miracle and connects children to the cycles of life. Younger kids can plant their own garden when the seeds are big enough for them to handle themselves. Try squash, potatoes and snap peas. If you have a patch of full sun, plant sunflowers! They germinate in just seven to 10 days, grow quickly to a spectacular height and at harvest time the seeds make great snacks. Radishes are another fast-growing, delicious crop to try.
Create a Secret Hideout
Secret plants or hiding spots create interest and fun, and kids usually love sharing what they’ve created or found. You can use bamboo poles in the style of a teepee to make a children’s nook and trellis all in one. Plant a vining squash or climbing bean around the trellis and watch it become a cozy summer hideout. Alternatively, a rocking chair or hammock in the garden creates a comfy place to relax.
Plant a Sensory Garden
In one area of your garden, cultivate plants that feature interesting smells, colors and textures. Try peppermint, spearmint or even chocolate mint — tea anyone? Nasturtiums yield edible flowers for salads, and fragrant lavender is known for its calming properties. Another plant children love is pineapple sage. The leaves smell incredibly like pineapple and when it blooms children love to pull the flowers and suck the sweet nectar out of the blossom.
Grow a Pizza Garden
What child doesn’t love pizza? Plant a circular garden bed and grow “slices” of tomatoes, red peppers, basil, onion and herbs like oregano, rosemary and parsley. At harvest time, invite some friends over and take the bounty into the kitchen for an afternoon pizza bake.
We hope these tips and ideas inspire you to get out and garden with your family this season. As you cultivate your plants, keep an eye out for the birds, butterflies and beneficial insects they attract. By gardening together, you’re tending to mind, body, heart, and soul…while stewarding your local ecosystem.
We’d love to see photos of your family garden. Feel free to send them our way.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to get outside, soak up the sunshine and get your hands dirty! Gardening with children of any age is a wonderful way to connect with the seasons and each other while cultivating flowers, herbs and vegetables for the whole family to enjoy.
“There are so many benefits to spending time as a family in the garden,” says Esalen Farm Supervisor Chris Omer. “A big one is cultivating wonder in children through exploration with nature. It can be digging through the soil to see what creatures they can find, picking a fresh pea off the vine or rummaging through the earth in search of a potato to harvest. All of it can light children up.”
This month, we brainstormed with Esalen farmers to create this fun and easy guide to planting a family garden.
Start with Large Seeds and Quick-to-Germinate Plants
The simple act of placing a seed in the ground, watering it and watching it grow is such a miracle and connects children to the cycles of life. Younger kids can plant their own garden when the seeds are big enough for them to handle themselves. Try squash, potatoes and snap peas. If you have a patch of full sun, plant sunflowers! They germinate in just seven to 10 days, grow quickly to a spectacular height and at harvest time the seeds make great snacks. Radishes are another fast-growing, delicious crop to try.
Create a Secret Hideout
Secret plants or hiding spots create interest and fun, and kids usually love sharing what they’ve created or found. You can use bamboo poles in the style of a teepee to make a children’s nook and trellis all in one. Plant a vining squash or climbing bean around the trellis and watch it become a cozy summer hideout. Alternatively, a rocking chair or hammock in the garden creates a comfy place to relax.
Plant a Sensory Garden
In one area of your garden, cultivate plants that feature interesting smells, colors and textures. Try peppermint, spearmint or even chocolate mint — tea anyone? Nasturtiums yield edible flowers for salads, and fragrant lavender is known for its calming properties. Another plant children love is pineapple sage. The leaves smell incredibly like pineapple and when it blooms children love to pull the flowers and suck the sweet nectar out of the blossom.
Grow a Pizza Garden
What child doesn’t love pizza? Plant a circular garden bed and grow “slices” of tomatoes, red peppers, basil, onion and herbs like oregano, rosemary and parsley. At harvest time, invite some friends over and take the bounty into the kitchen for an afternoon pizza bake.
We hope these tips and ideas inspire you to get out and garden with your family this season. As you cultivate your plants, keep an eye out for the birds, butterflies and beneficial insects they attract. By gardening together, you’re tending to mind, body, heart, and soul…while stewarding your local ecosystem.
We’d love to see photos of your family garden. Feel free to send them our way.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to get outside, soak up the sunshine and get your hands dirty! Gardening with children of any age is a wonderful way to connect with the seasons and each other while cultivating flowers, herbs and vegetables for the whole family to enjoy.
“There are so many benefits to spending time as a family in the garden,” says Esalen Farm Supervisor Chris Omer. “A big one is cultivating wonder in children through exploration with nature. It can be digging through the soil to see what creatures they can find, picking a fresh pea off the vine or rummaging through the earth in search of a potato to harvest. All of it can light children up.”
This month, we brainstormed with Esalen farmers to create this fun and easy guide to planting a family garden.
Start with Large Seeds and Quick-to-Germinate Plants
The simple act of placing a seed in the ground, watering it and watching it grow is such a miracle and connects children to the cycles of life. Younger kids can plant their own garden when the seeds are big enough for them to handle themselves. Try squash, potatoes and snap peas. If you have a patch of full sun, plant sunflowers! They germinate in just seven to 10 days, grow quickly to a spectacular height and at harvest time the seeds make great snacks. Radishes are another fast-growing, delicious crop to try.
Create a Secret Hideout
Secret plants or hiding spots create interest and fun, and kids usually love sharing what they’ve created or found. You can use bamboo poles in the style of a teepee to make a children’s nook and trellis all in one. Plant a vining squash or climbing bean around the trellis and watch it become a cozy summer hideout. Alternatively, a rocking chair or hammock in the garden creates a comfy place to relax.
Plant a Sensory Garden
In one area of your garden, cultivate plants that feature interesting smells, colors and textures. Try peppermint, spearmint or even chocolate mint — tea anyone? Nasturtiums yield edible flowers for salads, and fragrant lavender is known for its calming properties. Another plant children love is pineapple sage. The leaves smell incredibly like pineapple and when it blooms children love to pull the flowers and suck the sweet nectar out of the blossom.
Grow a Pizza Garden
What child doesn’t love pizza? Plant a circular garden bed and grow “slices” of tomatoes, red peppers, basil, onion and herbs like oregano, rosemary and parsley. At harvest time, invite some friends over and take the bounty into the kitchen for an afternoon pizza bake.
We hope these tips and ideas inspire you to get out and garden with your family this season. As you cultivate your plants, keep an eye out for the birds, butterflies and beneficial insects they attract. By gardening together, you’re tending to mind, body, heart, and soul…while stewarding your local ecosystem.
We’d love to see photos of your family garden. Feel free to send them our way.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org