Children can taste ripe fruits and vegetables and learn about healthy food, nutrition, insects and plants as the Beanstalk Children’s Garden opens with social distancing measures.
The 14,500-square foot garden contains more than 300 plant varieties that grow in themed gardens to encourage learning. As part of Kansas City Community Gardens, the children’s garden was developed with a curriculum designed to teach children about growing seasons, crop rotation, insects, nutrition and plant science. There are six specialized gardens: the vegetable garden, fruit garden, herb garden, seed and grain garden, curiosity garden and water garden. Children are encouraged to sample the ripe edibles.
Due to COVID-19, the garden will have one-way foot traffic, outdoor hand washing and sanitizing stations, outdoor drinking water stations and restrooms, and group tour size limitations. The garden staff will be wearing face masks and guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear them.
All plants are grown organically, demonstrating what is possible to grow in the Kansas City soil and climate. Plant varieties include figs, gourds, strawberries, raspberries, cactus, mouse melon, cotton, peanuts, popcorn, sunflowers, edible weeds and, of course, a giant beanstalk.
The garden is located at 6917 Kensington, Kansas City, MO and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. – Noon on Saturdays. For more information, visit Beanstalk Children’s Garden or call 816-931-3877.