The Surprising Benefits of a Front Yard Edible Garden
In both of the homes we’ve lived in since becoming parents, we’ve (okay, Adam!) built a front yard edible garden. It’s become a central part of our home and our neighborhood, and we've discovered so many reasons to love it.
Here’s a few things we've learned that we love about it:
It Builds Community: When you’re out watering and planting, you naturally get to hang out with your neighbors. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to connect and get to know the people who live around you.
It's a Kid Magnet: When things start ripening, our garden becomes the local hotspot for kid gatherings. They all start munching on fresh tomatoes and berries right off the vine. I love that all the neighbor kids know they don’t need to ask permission to grab a snack from our yard. It’s a space for everyone.
Kids Eat What They Grow: This is a big one. Our kids will eat things they grew that they wouldn’t if we just bought them and put them on their plate. There’s a sense of pride and ownership that comes with harvesting your own food.
It Attracts Critters: Our garden has become a mini-ecosystem! It attracts so many fun critters to look at, like caterpillars, butterflies, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and hummingbirds. It’s a great way to learn about nature in our own backyard (or in this case, our front yard).
It's Aesthetically Beautiful: The garden is just beautiful. The colors and textures change seasonally, making our front yard look different and feel new all year long.
We’ve been reading a lot of new books for Earth Month, and one we’re especially loving is Secrets of the Garden: Food Chains and the Food Web in our Backyard. It’s a great companion for this project.
Growing food in your front yard is a simple way to create more connection, encourage healthy habits, and add a little extra beauty to your home and your neighborhood. I hope it inspires you to get your hands dirty!
Want to grow a little love for the planet?
If you've been inspired to get your hands dirty, continue the journey with another fun project. Check out our post on Earth Day Seed Bombs: Grow a Little Love for the Planet for a simple, hands-on craft that teaches kids about native plants and how to create beauty in the world.