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One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County
chicagobotanic.orgSoil to Salad
Salad on a Stick
What will you dip in your dressing? Try salad on a stick! Build salads on toothpicks or skewers. Kids
can find veggies to match the colors in the rainbow at the grocery store, farmers’ market, or in your
own garden. Slide the veggies on the sticks all at once or one at a time, and dip into the dressing.
Herb Garden
Herb gardens are easy to grow in small, kid-sized containers.
They can be planted indoors or outside.
Supplies:
• Soil
• Flower pot (use a real one or a recycled
plastic cup with a few holes punched in
the bottom…decorate with stickers,
markers, or paint)
• Seeds (try parsley, mint, or basil)
Set-Up:
• Fill your pot with damp soil.
• Sprinkle seeds on top.
• Press them down well (but not too far—about
¼ inch) and sprinkle with a little more soil.
Grow:
• Water the soil when it is dry.
• Keep the plant warm.
• Put it in full sunlight
(mint does fine in a little shade).
Harvest:
• Mint and basil seedlings will pop up in about
ten days to two weeks. Parsley might take
six weeks.
• Let herbs grow for several weeks and then
pick the biggest leaves.
Avocado Dressing
Use the fresh herbs in a salad dressing!
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut in chunks
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup torn herb leaves
Kids can put the ingredients in the blender and press the buttons.
Add water, milk, or olive oil if you want a thinner dressing.