As the air gets crisp and leaves turn golden, fall becomes the perfect season for family gardening activities. If you own a Garden Tower 2®, your vertical planter becomes a fantastic tool for engaging children with hands-on, educational, and fun projects. Not only do these activities help kids learn about sustainability, food sources, and changing seasons, but they also give them a sense of accomplishment and responsibility as they watch their efforts blossom! Here are some kid-friendly projects to try out with your vertical garden planner this fall. Grab the whole family, and let’s dive in! 

Why Involve Kids in Vertical Gardening?

Involving kids in gardening builds curiosity about nature, teaches responsibility, and provides a break from screens and technology. Not to mention that children who participate in gardening and food education programs are more likely to eat healthy food as they grow up. Gardening with a vertical planter like the Garden Tower®, kids can explore all the elements of gardening up close, from planting seeds to composting and watering. By focusing on a vertical garden planner, you’re also showing them how to grow in small spaces and to maximize the garden’s efficiency.

Project 1: Plant a “Salad Bar” Garden Tower®

Nothing gets kids more excited than creating something they can later eat! This “Salad Bar” project helps children learn how easy it is to grow nutritious vegetables and greens.

Materials Needed:

• Garden Tower® vertical planter
• Lettuce, spinach, and kale seeds (cool-weather greens that thrive in fall)
• Small garden trowels
• Watering can

Instructions:

1. Seed Selection: Let kids choose the types of greens they want to grow. Spinach, kale, and lettuce are ideal for the fall season and are quick to sprout.
2. Planting Process: Guide kids through planting seeds in the designated pockets of your vertical planter. Explain how each seed will grow into a different type of green, creating a “salad bar.”
3. Watering Routine: Show them how to water the seeds gently. Assign them the role of "Head Gardener" to make sure the soil stays moist, but not overly saturated.
4. Observation and Harvest: After a couple of weeks, the plants will start to sprout. Involve your kids in harvesting the greens once they are mature. You can pick a handful of leaves and make a family salad with the freshly harvested greens. This project is quick and provides a satisfying, edible result!

Project 2: Create a Fall-Themed Herb Garden in Your Vertical Planter

Herbs are easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, and can be used in all sorts of family-friendly fall recipes. Creating a mini herb garden in your Garden Tower® introduces kids to the different smells and textures of plants like mint, rosemary, and parsley.

Materials Needed:

• Garden Tower® vertical garden planner
• Herb seeds (mint, parsley, chives, rosemary)
• Small watering can
• Plant markers and colored markers for labeling

Instructions:

1. Choose Herbs Together: Involve your kids in picking out herbs. Herbs like chives and mint have pleasant scents, which makes them especially fun for children.
2. Planting: Show kids how to plant herb seeds. Explain how herbs like mint spread and grow quickly, while rosemary may take longer but provides a rich aroma.
3. Labeling: Let the kids make colorful plant markers. They can draw pictures of the herbs or simply write the names. This activity doubles as a mini art project!
4. Fall Cooking with Herbs: Once the herbs start to grow, plan a recipe where your kids can use what they planted. Herb-infused butter or homemade herb dip are easy, delicious ways for kids to see their plants come to life in family meals.

 

Project 3: Worm Farming and Composting in the Garden Tower®

The Garden Tower® includes a composting feature that allows for vermicomposting, which is ideal for involving kids in a sustainable activity. Worm farming can be fascinating for children, helping them understand the natural cycle of composting and soil enrichment.

Materials Needed:

• Compost scraps (vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells)
• Red wiggler worms (if not already in the tower’s composting section)
• Gloves (optional)
• Small trowel or spoon for mixing

Instructions:

1. Add Compost Scraps: Teach kids which types of scraps can be composted. Ask them to save vegetable peels, fruit cores, and other compostable materials from the kitchen.
2.  Introduce the Worms: Red wiggler worms are the best type of worm for composting. Let kids observe how worms help turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. Explain how the worms eat the scraps and produce castings that nourish the plants in your vertical garden planner.
3. Composting Routine: Assign the kids the role of "Compost Manager" and have them check on the compost every few days. They can help add new scraps and gently mix the compost.
4. Use the Compost: After a few weeks, your Garden Tower® will produce compost that can be added to the soil pockets. This helps kids see the entire cycle of sustainability and reinforces the importance of reducing waste.

Project 4: Plant a Fall Flower Garden for Pollinators

Another great project is to plant fall flowers that attract pollinators. This project teaches kids about the importance of bees and other pollinators in gardening and the ecosystem.

Materials Needed:

• Garden Tower® vertical garden planner
• Flower seeds suitable for fall, such as marigolds, asters, and pansies
• Mini watering can
• Magnifying glass (optional, for observing pollinators)

Instructions:

1. Pick Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: Choose flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Marigolds and asters are good choices for fall and bring a burst of color.
2. Planting in the Tower: Show kids how to plant flower seeds. Make sure they understand the difference between planting flowers for beauty and planting vegetables for food.
3. Water and Wait: Encourage kids to water their flowers every few days. Soon, they’ll see blooms and may even spot bees or butterflies visiting.
4. Pollinator Observation: Give kids a magnifying glass and encourage them to observe any bees, butterflies, or other pollinators that visit the flowers. This adds a layer of educational fun as they learn about the role of pollinators in the garden.

Building Fall Memories with Your Garden Tower

The Garden Tower 2® provides endless opportunities to teach kids about gardening, sustainability, and creativity—all in one vertical garden planner. By involving kids in these simple, hands-on projects, you’re not only building gardening skills but creating fall memories that will last a lifetime. 

As the weather cools, take time each week to check in with your kids about their tower garden projects. Whether they’re tending their herb garden, checking on the worms, or admiring their scarecrow, each activity reinforces the values of sustainability and teamwork.

Feeling inspired by these projects? Share your family’s Garden Tower® creations with us! Capture photos and tag us on Instagram or Facebook to show off your fall gardening fun!