I was curious what herbs and vegetables are the easiest to grow and maintain. My children are starting their own garden and I am clueless what to start with. I don't want to set them up for failure and suggest stuff that is very hard and time consuming (since a child's attention span isn't that long) to grow.

Try something they like. Just about any herb is easy to grow, but if there is one they like the taste of it would be nice to remind them how good this basil tastes in this pasta and thank them for growing it.

Good way to make their efforts valued and encourage further gardening.

Peppers are also easy to grow, but could not be used the same way with a kid.

I would think that what you plan on growing would depend a lot on climate (peppers are an impossibility in this part of the world!).When I was a kid my favorite in the garden was scarlet runner beans (which are a pretty good multi-climate sort of veggie and very tasty to boot).

Peas and beans to start with are great, because there are lots of them, they are useful, and they grow quickly. Kids need to see almost instant results.

Try using the square foot gardening system for their or any garden, as it enables them to grow a wide variety of things which mature at different times, so keeps up the interest and doesn't take up much space at all.
The concept is simple, and you don't need to buy the book, just the pictures give the general idea.
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
http://www.ehow.com/way_5448204_pea-plant-experiments.html

A table top size area can grow a fantastic variety of plants.

If the kids have a couple hamsters it gives them a purpose to their gardening, or you could get a couple budgies and clip their wings, put up some toys in it and make it like a little playground for the budgies and then let them hop around the little garden.

Because it would be small say a table top size, and in fact can be done on a table top you could easily cover it or move it about as well.

Thanks guy for the advise! We are heading out now to go buy all the seeds and supplys. We built a potting bench and work station this weekend, it actually turned out like we knew what we were doing! Haha. The kids are so excited!!

Peppers and tomatoes have been the first to grow.... and OMG nothing tastes better then a tomato right off the vine!! I so wish we had started a garden years ago!

http://i48.tinypic.com/sen584.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2u760e0.jpg


We are still waiting for the strawberries and cucumbers!

They look yummy! Can't wait for Wolfe to get a little older so I can start enjoying these types of projects with him.