There is no better way to start my Monday than checking our Tower Garden with my granddaughter! I love sharing her excitement, even if I hoped she’d wait a bit longer before deciding it’s harvest time! (Note the not-quite-ripe tomato in her left hand 😃)

I find it energizing to guide the next generation to connect with nature—letting them get their hands dirty (or wet in our case), discovering how each plant grows, and trying my best to teach them how to pick produce at the perfect moment.

But for me, it’s so much more than growing a few tomatoes in the backyard.

I love Stephen Ritz’s quote: “Being kind to the planet starts at the tip of your fork.” It highlights how our choices can collectively drive change for a healthier Earth. At the same time, it suggests our shared responsibility to ensure everyone has healthy, nutritious food, placing kindness and access at the heart of sustainability. 💚

So, it’s never too early to spark a child’s curiosity about where our food comes from—whether grown from the ground up or “magic water garden” down! Even the littlest ones among us can play a part in caring for our planet, one fresh veggie at a time. 🍅 🌎

💥 📚 BOOK SALES PITCH ALERT WARNING📚💥

And that, my friends, is precisely why I wrote the children’s picture book Macie and the Magic Veggies—now available on Amazon! 😉

Peter Contardo