The McLennan County Master Gardeners are hoping this weekend’s Children’s Garden Fair at the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway will draw out the littlest green thumbs in the area and inspire some future gardeners as well.

“Our goal is to help children learn more about nature and come to appreciate the natural world in which they live,” Master Gardener Judy Schmeltekopf said.

Schmeltekopf said gardening and being outdoors spark a natural inquisitiveness and curiosity in children. She said children also learn stewardship of nature and how to take care of natural resources.

(From left) Ryan, Jeremy and Aiden Funai and Donovan and Riley Poole show off the flowers they planted.
Wendy Gragg/Tribune-Herald

Woodway residents Angela and Lane Funai have found that gardening is one activity their whole family can get behind.

The boys — Aiden Funai, 11, Jeremy Funai, 9, Donovan Poole, 7, Riley Poole, 5 and Ryan Funai, 5 — have been gardening for about a year. But maybe the word “farming” is more appropriate in their case, considering that they grow based on the haul they will bring in.

“They wanted to plant some flowers in the front yard because they’d seen them on the side of the road and had talked about them in school,” Angela Funai said. “Then they realized all the stuff they could plant and then eat.”

Eating seems to be a big motivator for what gets planted in the Poole-Funai household.

“I wanted to grow blackberries so I could have blackberry pie,” Jeremy said.

“Too bad you can’t just grow the pie,” Angela Funai countered.

Another voice spoke up, lamenting that pizza can’t be grown.

“No, but you can grow the tomatoes for the sauce like we did last year, remember,” Angela Funai said.

The gardening is even helping the pickiest eater, Aiden, along.

“He’s been pretty good about eating stuff that came out of the garden, so that’s a plus,” Angela Funai said.

At their new house, the boys mostly garden in containers, both inside and out. But right now, there’s an oak tree sapling growing in the Funai front yard.

There’s one problem — oak trees don’t produce something yummy to eat.

“They want to dig it up and grow a fruit tree there instead,” Angela Funai said.

The boys seem as interested in the science of the growing as they are in eating the fruits of their labor. Growing also seems to be a good fit for what they are learning in science classes.

“Plants need carbon dioxide and we need oxygen,” Jeremy said.

Children can learn the basics for gardening and explore nature in other ways at Sunday’s fair. Activities include a scavenger hunt, potting a plant to take home, rock painting, popping corn off the cob, bird watching with binoculars along the nature trail and — what is sure to be the Poole and Funai boys’ favorite — learning how to save seeds from things you eat and plant them.

Schmeltekopf said there will be plenty of adults present to guide the children through the activities. About 70 master gardeners will be helping, as well as members of the Audubon Society, the Waco Gem and Mineral Society and the master composters.

Schmeltekopf said the fair is something the whole family can enjoy.

“Hopefully, their parents, if they’re not gardeners, can learn as much as the children do,” Schmeltekopf said.

wgragg@wacotrib.com

757-6901

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Children’s Garden Fair

When: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9011 Bosque Blvd, Woodway

Cost: Free