Introducing gardening to 4 and 5 year olds...

There is a benefit to the new school year starting towards the end of the summer gardening season.  Although I thought that the season would end sooner, concerned with Atlanta's frost date average being Oct. 15th, I have learned that fall veggies are hardier and require cooler temps to 'germinate,' or sprout from seed.  Therefore, many in our zone plant seeds indoors during the summer and transplant outside when the temps cool down, as we don't have a very long fall growing season.  The other option, which I have found to be more common, is to buy transplants and plant when the weather cools.  This is also a better option as some fall veggie seedlings/sprouts are less tolerant of transplanting.

ANYWAY...back to the BENEFIT, lol.  Because the summer veggies were winding down, and some gone due to those evil squash vine borers, the pre-k crowd was able to explore more freely.  I wasn't AS concerned about feet stepping on vines, kids playing in the dirt, or causing damage to young, vulnerable plants.

Green beans are a familiar veg to kids, because our green beans have been in all summer, they are well established, and for some reason producing better now than ever.  They provide many opportunities for little hands to pick with ease, can be eaten raw (less work for me!), and are about ready to be removed.

My hard workers, picking green beans.

 The corn had also been harvested during the second week of school, and the kids really enjoyed sneaking and hiding among the tall corn stalks.
Sadly, we did lose our one watermelon to an overly zealous harvester, picked way too early.  We used this as  a lesson by cutting it open.  The class was able to look inside and see that there was very little red inside, not what we want to see when eating a slice of watermelon.  We have also lost a couple tomatoes, as they were confused with green apples!  It's frustrating, but hard to get too upset, as they are soooo excited to show me what they picked from the garden!  I say this now, but if one comes running up to me with an almost ripe cantaloupe that I have been nursing along...well...it may not be so pretty...hehe.
Our last harvest of cucumbers provided us a 'cooking'  experience, as we made another batch of pickles.  Along pre-k standards, this provided kids with exposure to components of a recipe, measuring (math), taking turns/teamwork (social/emotional,) and vocabulary.

Harvesting the corn was also great fun for the kids, as they were free to shuck away!  More motor skill development, and an opportunity to feel new textures, and be a part of the preparation process.  This activity hadn't even occurred to me till we were picking the corn, for some reason.  It kept them independently occupied for a good period of time!  Always a plus in Pre-K!  :)

Fall planning is now underway.  The task feels a bit overwhelming at the moment.  Tearing out the old will be fun, but prepping the soil, and planting is another story.  At this age, the lure of swings and tricycles nearby can easily deter their attention, and smaller groups are necessary.  Due to economy and budgeting, each pre-k has 2 additional students.  It may not sound like much, but boy, do we feel it!  Up until now, I have simply invited kids to explore and harvest during our regular outside time.  However, real lessons are planned for planting the new veggies and seeds.  This involvement will also instill more respect and pride for the garden, a realization that we must be careful and take great care in how we maneuver though the garden.  We have spacing to think about, seed depth, etc.  Also, where to plant what plants/seeds, how to divide gardening opportunities with the 2 other pre-k classes, finding time to plan, and do all the other mundane, but necessary paperwork and daily tasks.