These books will nurture an interest in gardening

People of all ages can benefit from gardening.

It’s important to unplug from technology and spend time outdoors. Being able to see plants grow from seed also encourages children to eat more vegetables and to be aware of where produce comes from. So, why not investigate how to start a garden with your child or teen?

If they check out a book on gardening this summer, adults, teens and youth can all earn a stamp on their Worth Reading activity cards, putting them closer to winning prizes — and to family bonding.

For more details, visit http://fortworthtexas.gov/library/WorthReading.

A Teen’s Guide to Eco-Gardening, Food and Cooking, by Jen Green

Heinemann, 2013

For age 11 and older

Eco-gardening focuses on environmentally friendly practices such as using less water and protecting natural resources. In addition to discussing these methods, this book also talks about container gardening, soil nutrients, composting and the use of ladybugs for pest control.

The photographs and diagrams support the text and help to illustrate these principles. It also includes simple recipes almost entirely made from things you can grow yourself.

Garden Crafts for Kids: 50 Great Reasons To Get Your Hands Dirty, by Diane Rhoades

Sterling Pub Co. Inc., 1998

For age 8 and older

What do an adventurer, an explorer, and a scientist have in common? Gardening. Plant people are all of these things, and teaching kids to think of gardening as a series of creative projects empowers them to create gardening projects outside the norm — enjoying cool things like a sunshine tea party or using the moon to create a planting calendar.

This book delves into design, plant care and harvesting in addition to teaching the basics about how to nurture specific flowers and vegetables.

Garden to Table, by Katherine Hengel

Mighty Media Junior Readers, 2014

For age 8 and older

Based on the belief that people should know where their food comes from, this book is chock-full of recipes and meals made from ingredients that can be grown at home. Visuals include delicious food photos likely to make your mouth water and illustrations that show basic cooking techniques like chopping, grating and peeling.

In addition to listing “cool ingredients” and the basic kitchen tools budding chefs will need, the book provides step-by-step planting instructions for planting, growing, and harvesting vegetables and herbs like basil, carrots, green beans, lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes.

Grow Your Own Sandwich, by John Malam

Heinemann, 2011

For age 6 and older

What’s better than growing flowers? How about growing delicious and nutritious food ready for you to eat.

Grow Your Own Sandwich focuses on tomatoes and follows their growth and care from tiny seeds all the way to your table. Full of gorgeous photographs and facts about tomatoes, this book will inspire kids to grow them and eat them for lunch.

Ready, Set, Grow!, by DK Publishing

DK Children, 2010

For age 7 and older

Full of gorgeous full-color photographs and drawings, this great book uses step-by-step directions to teach young gardeners about seed growth and the differences between several kinds of plants.

It also emphasizes the use of recycled materials for creative plant containers and offers practical tips about things like how long plants take to grow, what to do about bugs, how to mulch and much more.

The book will intrigue any child with a creative streak with ideas for special landscaping projects and ways to develop their gardening skills.

Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots, by Sharon Lovejoy

Workman Publishing Company, 1999

For age 7 and older

This book starts off strong with a list of the top 20 plants for children, focusing on suggestions that grow quickly and are hardy and versatile.

The book also explores theme gardens like a pizza patch or a sunflower house, and touches on container gardening and plants that can be eaten or used for medicine.

Full of beautiful hand-drawn illustrations and sidebars packed with supplementary explanations, this book is sure to inspire gardeners of all ages.

Squashed, by Joan Bauer

Speak, 2005

For age 12 and older

Sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan struggles with how to impress the new boy in town until she realizes all she needs to do is grow a 200-pound pumpkin for the local fair. But an early frost and pumpkin thieves endanger her plan.

Set in rural Iowa, this charming story is full of small-town values and easy-to-relate-to teenage dilemmas. While Ellie is smart and competent, she struggles to recognize her own self-worth.

This hilarious and engrossing read will help readers think about their own strengths, too, and may even inspire them to consider growing their own vegetables (and search out fresh pumpkin pie).

Yucky Worms, by Vivian French

Candlewick, 2010

For age 5 and older

A grandmother explains the value of worms to her skeptical grandson, emphasizing worm anatomy and how these oft-ignored creatures benefit gardens.

The attractive hand-drawn pictures show the people above ground and worm habitats underground, giving a simplified glimpse of how the two environments work together.

Children will learn the value of worms through new vocabulary and some science-based concepts, and they will be reminded about the importance of hand washing after coming into contact with the slimy garden friends.

This story was originally published June 23, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "These books will nurture an interest in gardening."