Planning

• Before beginning the planting process, sit down with your child to create a written plan for the vegetable garden. If your child is old enough, have him work with pencil and paper to sketch out a plan for the garden, including dimensions, rows and any stepping stones or fences. Once this is complete, have him research the types of vegetables he would like to plant, noting each type's need for sun and space. With this information, he can draw in the locations for each plant or seed on the plan. With the completed plan in hand, have your child make a list of the plants or seeds that need to be purchased, and head off to your local garden store together.
  
  For children who are too young to draw a precise plan, have them work with pencil and crayons to create a plan for the sake of practice and education, but be sure to make one yourself and allow your child's ideas to influence your decisions about which vegetables to grow.
  
  

Process

• Once your plan is complete and you have purchased the seeds or plants, pick a day when you and your child can dedicate an hour or two to the soil preparation and seed-planting process. Remove sod ahead of time and give your child tools such as spoons and forks--with the instructions of helping you to dig in the soil and loosen it for planting.
  
  Add any soil enhancers that are necessary, such as peat moss or topsoil. Once the soil is ready, help your child follow the plan and plant each seed or vegetable plant in the proper locations, watering thoroughly as you go. Allow your child to do as much of the work as possible to increase the fun and educational components of the process.
  
  

Education

• It is important to use the vegetable garden as an educational tool to teach your child about nutrition, nature and character. Talk your child through each step of the process, discussing the nutritional benefits of eating organically grown vegetables, the way that plants grow with soil, water and sunlight, and the importance of patience and hard work in the gardening process. Provide opportunities for your child to show off her garden to friends and family members, repeating lessons you have taught her and sharing the fruits of the garden with others.