In the short growing season of northwestern Colorado, we know the value of every frost-free day and each precious seed that makes it to harvest. But beyond the vegetables and flowers we grow, gardening offers something even more enduring: wisdom passed from one generation to the next.
Intergenerational gardening is more than nostalgic, it’s vital. In Steamboat Springs and the broader Yampa Valley, grandparents, parents, and children all bring something to the garden bed.
Elders carry a wealth of regional gardening knowledge: when to start seeds indoors, how to build a good compost pile, or which perennials can survive a Zone 4 winter. Younger gardeners, especially kids, bring curiosity, creativity, and a fresh perspective that helps us see the garden through new eyes.
Gardens across the Yampa Valley have become rich spaces for this exchange. Whether it’s a raised bed behind a rural schoolhouse or a hoop house in our community garden lot, these programs offer children hands-on science, patience, responsibility, and joy. As a mother and a teacher bringing the joy of gardening to children, I’ve seen how planting a single carrot seed can spark a lifelong love of nature and nutrition.
Here are a few educational tips and fun ideas to keep gardening engaging for kids:
- Grow Fast Crops: Radishes, lettuce, and snap peas offer quicker rewards for young attention spans.
- Create a Pizza Garden: Although you can’t grow a pizza in a garden (how cool would that be?) planting basil, tomatoes, onions, and peppers in a circle layout can be the next best thing! Kids love harvesting ingredients they can cook with—especially for pizza.
- Use the Five Senses: Encourage kids to smell herbs, feel different leaf textures, and listen for bees and birds. Gardening isn’t just educational, it’s sensory magic.
- Let Them Lead: Give kids their own patch or pot to plant and care for. Ownership builds confidence and deeper interest.
The beauty of gardening with kids is that it’s not about perfection, it’s about process. Let them make mistakes. Let them play in the dirt. These moments grow more than food; they grow memories, relationships, and environmental stewards.
As we face challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and disconnected communities, intergenerational gardening reminds us of our roots. It grounds us in resilience, encourages us to adapt and share, and teaches the youngest among us to care deeply for the Earth and for one another.
Gardening together bridges generations. Whether it’s sharing tips, tools, or tomatoes, we grow more than food. We grow connection, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
So whether you’re planting a few marigolds with your grandchild, helping in a school garden, or simply sharing your harvest with a neighbor, remember: every seed sown with love and intention helps cultivate a stronger, healthier Yampa Valley for generations to come.
Sarah Storm grew up in the garden, where she believed compost was magic dust and worms were normal coworkers. She is now the School Programs Manager at Yampatika as well as a first-year CSU Master Gardener Apprentice.
