Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chicago Park District
A horticultural trend is happening in Chicago. People with small green thumbs are gaining interest in urban gardening with the help of a park district program called Harvest Garden.
For 11 years, children ages 8 to 12 have been taught the importance of organic gardening, both edible and ornamental. Program participants discover how edible gardens help create delicious dishes while making fruits and vegetables much more tantalizing than they once were. In addition, children discover how an ornamental garden can lend itself to creating beautiful bouquets.
The program is designed to give these gardening enthusiasts the skills to plant a garden and how to further sustain it. Each year, the program focuses on a different topic, such as nutrition and healthy eating. In this way, participants learn something new each year.