THE MAGIC OF
The Edible Garden BY: MELISSA WALSH
V
learn, the more empowered they are.” ictoria Breheny grew up surrounded by gardening. With a Victoria wrote the book as a whimsical and magical kind of story mother who was a landscape gardener, the naturopath and herbal medicine practitioner is now a mum of her own and recently because of the feeling that nature creates. released a book to bring home the message that gardens are more “Kids can have amazing experiences in gardens just being surrounded than just trees and flowers. by nature and using their imagination. It’s a far cry from being glued
“Mum was a big influence and we always had some sort of vegetables on the go, habitually going out to get things from the garden,” says Victoria, author of The Incredible Edible Garden. “The premise of the book is to grow your own garden and I always wanted to write a book, so decided last year to start with the younger generation. I had seen my children do some gardening and watched the joy they got from picking their own vegetables and herbs. To see them out there playing and go and pick a snow pea, I thought, was awesome,” says the mother of a seven and nine year old. “One of my family members is a teacher and heard a child say eggs came from the supermarket. So I decided this would be a great tool to show children where and how things grow and how it affects the body. The more they 28
Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2016
to the iPad or phone. I wanted to make the book more alluring so they can see how they can have wonderful times in a garden.” Victoria says it’s not essential to have a huge garden to grow vegetables and herbs and a great way to get your kids involved is to include them from the start. “The best way to start is to head to a garden shop and get the kids to choose fun colourful pots and then what they like to eat to grow first. It might just be herbs initially or tomatoes but something they get enjoyment from. Then you can elaborate and expand later on. Get them to help plant them in the pots and label them with handmade signs. Then make sure they are in their view so that when they get home from school they remember to go and check on them. This is a great