As a mom of two energetic youngsters, I'm always on the lookout for creative and engaging activities that connect my family with the garden and nature. This year, we decided to embark on a delightful journey—growing our very own pizza garden. Not only is this a fantastic way to teach our children about where their food comes from, but it also aligns perfectly with our eco-friendly parenting values.
Family Garden Foods
The key to a successful pizza garden lies in selecting the right combination of herbs, vegetables, and fruits that mimic the flavours of your favourite pizza toppings. Here's a list of some of the perfect plants:
How to Grow Tomatoes
- Varieties: Roma, San Marzano, or cherry tomatoes
- When to plant: late February to early March indoors, or you can purchase starter plants at your local nursery
- Where to plant: start seeds indoors, then transplant them to your garden when the danger of frost has passed and the weather is warmer—about mid-spring
How to Grow Basil
- Varieties: sweet basil or Genovese basil
- When to plant: late March to early April
- Where to plant: plant in well-draining soil, and ensure they receive plenty of sunlight. Sweet basil is easy to find at your local nursery at the beginning of spring.
How to Grow Oregano
- Varieties: Greek or Italian oregano
- When to plant: late February to early March, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Where to plant: plant in a sunny location with good drainage. Space them about 12 inches apart.
How to Grow Bell Peppers
- Varieties: red, green, or yellow bell peppers
- When to plant: early April to early May
- Where to plant: plant in warm, nutrient-rich soil, and provide support as they grow.
How to Grow Onions
- Varieties: red or yellow onions
- When to plant: late January to early February by seed or starter plants in March
- Where to plant: plant in well-drained soil, and consider using organic mulch to retain moisture
How to Grow Garlic
- Varieties: softneck or hardneck garlic
- When to plant: late October to early November (if you didn’t plant garlic this year, not a problem; support your local farms when it’s in season in June/July)
- Where to plant: separate cloves and plant them about 2 inches deep, allowing them to overwinter
How to Grow Thyme
- Varieties: common thyme or lemon thyme
- When to plant: late February to early March, once the soil can be worked
- Where to plant: thrives in well-drained soil and requires moderate watering
Planning Your Garden Layout
Now that you have your plant selections, it's time to plan the layout of your pizza garden. Consider these tips for an organized and visually appealing space:
Companion planting: Group plants that benefit each other. For example, tomatoes and basil make excellent companions, as basil helps deter certain pests that affect tomatoes.
Vertical gardening: Utilize vertical space to maximize your garden. Consider trellises or cages for tomatoes and peppers to keep them off the ground.
Container gardening: If space is limited, opt for container gardening. This is especially effective for herbs like basil and thyme, which can be grown in pots on your porch or balcony. By the way, everything you need to grow a pizza garden can be grown in a pot!
Pathways: Create pathways between garden beds. This makes it easy for you and your little ones to navigate through the garden without stepping on delicate plants.
Planting Zones and How They Work
From Nunavut to Florida, North America is split into various plant hardiness zones, which identifies their typical growing season. Here in Zone 9, Victoria, BC (make sure to look up your plant hardiness zone), we receive a a unique advantage with a longer growing season than our Canadian neighbours. Remember that the planting times mentioned earlier are general guidelines; zones and local climate variations may affect them. For a calendar perfectly tailored to your location, enter your city or zip code into this guide. And, as always, keep an eye on your local weather forecast and adjust accordingly.
Care for Your (Pizza) Garden
Now that your pizza garden is planted, it's crucial to provide proper care to ensure a bountiful harvest. Here are some essential tips for nurturing your plants:
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water in the morning to allow the foliage to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Irrigation, if you have it, is the most effective way to water.
Mulching: Apply organic mulch around your plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. This can be seedless straw or leaf mulch.
Compost: Use organic compost for the first 3–4 inches on top of your soil mixture. We also use worm casting!
Pruning: Pinch off the tips of your basil plants to encourage bushier growth. When harvesting, take a large shoot, not just leaves. Prune tomato plants by removing suckers to improve air circulation, and steer the nutrients into the stems with tomatoes.
Supports: Stake or cage tomatoes (depending on the variety—some are vining and some are bush tomatoes) and peppers to support their growth and prevent sprawling.
Involving your kids: Make the pizza garden a family project by involving your kids in various tasks. Here are some fun activities they can participate in:
- Seed starting: Let your little ones help start seeds indoors. It's a fantastic learning opportunity about germination and plant growth.
- Watering routine: Designate a watering schedule for your children, teaching them about the importance of consistent moisture for plant health.
- Harvesting: Encourage your kids to harvest ripe vegetables and herbs. This hands-on experience fosters a connection between them and the food they eat.
- Pizza nights: Once your garden produces its first harvest, turn it into a family pizza night! Let your kids pick the toppings from the garden and help create their own personalized pizzas.
Growing a pizza garden is both a rewarding experience and a fantastic way to connect with nature and teach your children valuable lessons about sustainability. By choosing the right plants, planning your garden layout, and involving your kids in the process, you'll not only enjoy fresh and flavourful ingredients but also create lasting memories on your eco-friendly journey. So, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and watch your pizza garden flourish this gardening season.
