There's something about the idea of eating flowers that captures the curiosity of children, and they can easily grow their own little garden of edible flowers in a large planter. They might even be tempted to eat salads topped with their own fresh-picked blossoms. You'll need:

• potting mix, not garden soil
• a large container, 14 to 16 inches in diameter
• nasturtium seeds, trailing and compact varieties
• 1 calendula plant, 1 chive plant, 3 viola plants.Purchase organically grown plants to be sure the are safe to eat. (Alternatively, you can start these plants from seed indoors in early spring.)

1. Fill the container about half full with lightly moistened potting mix.

2. Set the plants in the container, with the taller chives and calendula in the back and the violas in the front. Then sow the compact nasturtiums in the middle and the trailing nasturtiums in the front and sides.

3. Keep the planter moist, not wet, and in full sun.

4. Your children can snip the flowers with small scissors, gently rinse them, and let them dry on paper towels. The flowers can then be eaten as is, or added to salads or used as garnish for casseroles and other dishes. Violas are fun to use as decoration for cakes and cupcakes.

Photography by Suzanne DeJohn/National Gardening Association