Beginner Gardening: Starting a small vegetable garden, 0 by Diana_K

Diana_K wrote:
St. John, Newfoundland?

I would think that you would be able to grow all the crops that are considered cool season crops here in California and warmer zones. Might have trouble with semi-tropical crops like squash and tomatoes.

Yes, it can be done.
No, it does not have to be expensive.

For children, here is how I would do this:

Divide the 15' x 15' area into 3 beds that are 3' wide, and 2' between the beds. Most adults can reach out about 2' so can use a 4' wide bed, as long as they can get to it from both sides. Children are going to be better off if the beds are only about 3' wide.
2' walkways work the best for me. Narrower just makes the beds too crowded, especially when the plants are overflowing.
If there is any way of orienting the beds so the long direction is running north/south that is the best exposure.
Recycle ANY sort of material as sides. If there are funds, then 2 x 6 lumber is great.
Attach to the lumber, or dig into the ground some pipe that is about a foot to 18" long, and about 1" diameter. Do these in pairs at each end of the beds, and about every 3-4' along the sides. So in a 15' bed you will probably have 5-6 pairs of pipe.
Buy if you have to some steel rods that are used to reinforce concrete. Here it is called Rebar. 3/8" or 1/2" is good. Make arches that reach over the beds and stick them down into the short pipes.
You can use these arches to extend the season. By using the arches to hold clear plastic it will act like a greenhouse, warming it a bit earlier in the season, and holding in the warmth in the fall. It won't hold up to snow, and you will have to anchor the plastic in the wind, but it will really help a lot.

Help the children understand that really good, loose soil is very valuable, and to only walk on the paths.
Do not fuss to get all the seeds or plants planted in one day. By planting some this week, then more next week you will be extending the harvest season so you do not end up with 10 heads of lettuce all ready for harvest in one day.