The UCCE Orange County Master Gardeners are active with schools, churches and Boys & Girls Clubs in our community. They are passionate about “propagating” the next generation of home gardeners and opening the eyes of children to the experience of agriculture, the taste of foods that provide a healthier lifestyle and their responsibility for environmental stewardship.

Monday, March 28th: Butterflies > Learn about butterflies in the garden. Children can participate in an interactive play suitable for preschoolers.  Children will create a butterfly to take home.

Tuesday, March 29th: Jack & the Beanstalk > Hear the story of Jack and his magic beanstalk. The children will make a bean mosaic and also plant a bean seed to take home to see how a beanstalk grows.

Thursday, March 31st: Worms > Learn all about worms: how and what they eat, and how they are helpful in a garden.  Children will have access to a live worm bin filled with worms, see and touch worms and cocoons.  Learn about all the “good bugs” while playing worm bin bingo.

Friday, April 1st: Parts of a Plant > Hands on lesson on the parts of a plant and then a focus on the part of a plant we eat when we eat our vegetables in an interactive game. We will plant a pea seed to take home and watch the parts form!

Grown-up Tip: When gardening with your child, provide child-sized tools such as old spoons and plastic tool sets for them to use. Plant items that are quick and easy to grow so your child can see the results fast. As much as possible, allow your child the choice in what you decide to plant.