Kyla (age 4) and Ryan (age 6) Preiss are participants in the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society Junior Gardeners program this year.

Between July 16 and July 27 volunteer members of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society are visiting about 148 gardens planted and nurtured by local Junior Gardeners to see and talk about their gardening experiences. Chris Suttie heads up the Junior Gardener Program for the society and she says it’s a lot of fun for the adult members of our group too and the gardens can be absolutely amazing.

Judi Misener of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society talks with Ryan about his garden.

Once children sign up for the Junior Gardener Program they are provided with a package of plants and seeds to grow in their garden. This year’s theme has been Salsa and Salad and the plants have included beans, beats, cilantro, corn, marigolds, four o’clocks, onion bulbs, a jalapeño plant and a tomato plant.

Children can design their gardens any way that they want. They can grow their gardens directly in the ground, in containers, or a combination of both. “They are encouraged to add other things of their own choosing as well,” Chris says. In some gardens this has included sunflowers and especially kale.

Kayla and Ryan’s Mom Sabrina supports her children in their gardening efforts.

Chris says 285 children from Tillsonburg and Courtland Schools as well as some independents are taking part in the program this year. She says the gardening program for children provides a great opportunity for parents, or grandparents, or older siblings to support the kids in their gardening efforts.

A season-ending Awards Night for this year’s Salsa and Salad Junior Gardener Program will be held on September 25.