by Katrinka, Savannah Children’s Museum educator
July 31, 2025 – One of the markers that the seasons are shifting is back-to-school time. This season is known for new and exciting changes in school and in nature. Green summer gardens begin to die back, and fallen seeds start to sleep in preparation for cool weather to come.
Late season gardening is a great way to relieve stress and engage your child after school. With these easy gardening projects and tips, you can make outdoor time a unique and rewarding education opportunity!
Start seeding cool weather vegetables such as kale, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, collards, carrots, radish, and beets.
These veggies are hardy to cold temperatures and should be ready to harvest even when frost begins to settle outside.
There are two plants that are easy to grow and delicious when harvested, onions and garlic.
In Georgia, garlic can be planted anytime between late September and November. For onions, plant in September or October. Onion seeds work well, and garlic can be sprouted using cloves from the grocery store that have visible roots. Plant the cloves with their pointy ends facing up at least three inches below the soil.
These fragrant veggies will grow strong root systems just before wintertime, making them grow even bigger and faster when spring comes around!
Whether growing greens in a garden or in a pot by a window, try to encourage your child to help you harvest them and use them in packed lunch sandwiches or salads. Eating something you grow yourself helps to create good associations with vegetables and healthy eating.
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