If you want your children to eat more fruits and vegetables, try planting a garden. The research is simple: kids who grow up eating home-grown produce end up eating more fruits and vegetables, and some even tend to prefer the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables to other foods.

The research from Saint Louis University in 2007 showed that preschool children were over twice as likely to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily if they were homegrown, in comparison to children who rarely or never ate homegrown produce.

The results are, to an extent, common sense. Children who are involved in growing or preparing their own fruits and vegetables are likely to be more interested in consuming the food that they help grow. Children who grow up in households that maintain a garden are also more likely to see their parents modeling healthy eating habits and eating more fruits and vegetables. In an age when childhood obesity is becoming a growing problem, planting a garden can be a cost-effective, educational, and fun way to encourage your kids to be healthier. Children who are involved in the garden have opportunities to learn about science and the environment, while also learning about healthy eating habits and getting some exercise.

Households that had gardens in the study also tended to have a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available in the house at any given time. This can teach children to enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, making them more likely have a nutritionally complete diet.

As we ease into early spring, many vegetables will soon be ready to be planted, especially if you live in a mild climate. Ask at your local garden center or nursery for advice on planting a few easy-to-grow vegetables. If you don’t have room for a garden or you live in an apartment, consider planting a container garden on your patio or balcony with dwarf varieties of peppers, tomatoes, salad greens, peas, carrots, and radishes.

Alternatively, do research into your community to see if a community garden plot is available. Some communities provide a garden plot for families to grow their own gardens, for a small fee.

If planting your own garden is not a feasible option, consider joining a CSA (community-supported-agriculture) farm for weekly supplies of seasonal (and often organic) produce. Different CSA farms have different options — some allow you to choose the produce you want on a weekly basis, while others deliver a range of whatever is in season. Some farms have farm visits and family activities available throughout the year that provide valuable educational opportunities for families to glimpse how the food is grown.

Being involved in the process of growing their own food allows kids to learn where their food comes from, and just might make them fall in love with vegetables.

This post was included in the latest Carnival of All Things Eco.