What is the only thing better than eating pizza? Growing your very own pizza toppings! This is a fantastic, themed growing project that ends with a delicious homemade meal.
By planting a "Pizza Garden," kids learn exactly where their food comes from. We are going to grow sweet cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil together in the same pot—they are best friends in the soil and on the plate!
What You Need:
- 1 Cherry Tomato Plant: Buy a small plant from the garden centre. Look for a "bush" variety like 'Tumbler'—these don't need tall stakes to hold them up.
- Basil Seeds: Sweet basil is perfect for pizza.
- A Large Window Box or Pot and some multi-purpose compost.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Plant the Star: Fill your pot with compost. Dig a hole in the dead center and plant your cherry tomato plant nice and deep.
- Sow the Basil: Sprinkle your basil seeds in a circle around the edge of the tomato plant. Cover them lightly with soil.
- Find the Sun: Both tomatoes and basil absolutely love the sun and hate the cold. Put your pot in the sunniest, most sheltered spot on your patio or balcony.
- Pizza Time: In late summer, when the tomatoes are red and the basil leaves are big, harvest a handful of both, spread them on a pizza base with some cheese, and bake!
☀️ The Thirsty Tomato Rule
Tomatoes are incredibly thirsty plants, especially when they are living in pots. On hot summer days, you might need to water your Pizza Garden every single day to stop the leaves from drooping!
