Sarah Pounders’ daughter started gardening when she was four with a collection of individual bean sprouts in clear plastic cups. But by the time she was 12, she decided to expand her skills and grow tomatoes indoors under a hydroponic light.

“To have that hands-on experience was so different than just talking about it,” says Pounders, senior education specialist at the nonprofit KidsGardening. “Taking care of the plant, measuring it, seeing the change—it’s a great, engaging way to learn.”

Gardening is especially meaningful when kids are involved. Numerous studies have found that gardening and garden-based learning have significant positive impacts on childhood development, including improved motor skills, better eating habits, and stress relief. Gardening