Interview by Piranha T. and Super Kitty
Emma Biggs is the author of Gardening with Emma, a book for kids about how to start your own garden. Cooler still, she’s only fourteen years old! Emma has a blog, has spoken at gardening conferences, and, of course, has a garden of her own. We were thrilled to get the opportunity to talk to her about her garden and Gardening with Emma.
RapunzelReads: What’s your favourite thing about gardening?
Emma Biggs: Probably my favourite thing about gardening is the people. Gardeners seem to be the nicest people in the world— people who love sharing ideas, having fun, and making the world a better place. I love hanging out with these people and learning from them, and sharing my knowledge with them, and sharing seeds and ideas too. I have been inspired by so many incredible gardeners, and many of them have become great friends too!
RR: What was the most challenging part of writing a book?
EB: The most challenging part was definitely re-reading my writing over, and over, and over again. After writing it out, than I’d have to go back and edit my work. I got
Emma Biggs is the author of Gardening with Emma, a book for kids about how to start your own garden. Cooler still, she’s only fourteen years old! Emma has a blog, has spoken at gardening conferences, and, of course, has a garden of her own. We were thrilled to get the opportunity to talk to her about her garden and Gardening with Emma.
RapunzelReads: What’s your favourite thing about gardening?
Emma Biggs: Probably my favourite thing about gardening is the people. Gardeners seem to be the nicest people in the world— people who love sharing ideas, having fun, and making the world a better place. I love hanging out with these people and learning from them, and sharing my knowledge with them, and sharing seeds and ideas too. I have been inspired by so many incredible gardeners, and many of them have become great friends too!
RR: What was the most challenging part of writing a book?
EB: The most challenging part was definitely re-reading my writing over, and over, and over again. After writing it out, than I’d have to go back and edit my work. I got
sick of re-reading what I had written pretty quickly!
RR: You’ve done a lot to get kids into gardening; now that you’ve written a book, what’s next?
EB: I always give a ton of gardening talks in the spring, and promote getting kids excited about gardening. Until then, I’m going to spend as much time as I can in the garden before the frost comes, and take lots of pictures and save lots of seeds to share. And then I’ll spends the time when there’s snow on the ground planning next years garden, and buying and exchanging seeds.
RR: What is your favorite thing to grow?
EB: My favourite thing to grow is no doubt tomatoes! Last year I had 133 varieties, and this year I have even more! I love all the unique colours, shapes, sizes, and flavours. I’m even hoping to start breeding my own varieties next year!
RR: What's the most unusual thing you've ever grown?
EB: My favourite part of gardening is growing unusual things! That’s what makes the garden fun for me. I’m not sure that I have a favourite, but I sure have favourites! I love growing Cucamelons (mini cucumbers), Ground Cherries (sweet garden candy wrapped in a papery husk), purple carrots with orange cores, red peas, and peppers that change colour from purple to creamy white, yellow, orange, and finally red as they ripen. There are tons of really neat things to grow out there, you just have to look for them.
RR: Do you have any advice for kids who want to start their own gardens?
EB: My advice is for them to grow whatever interests them— try some thing unusual like Cucamelons (mini cucumbers), purple carrots, yellow peas, or blue and yellow tomatoes, just to name a few.
RR: You’ve done a lot to get kids into gardening; now that you’ve written a book, what’s next?
EB: I always give a ton of gardening talks in the spring, and promote getting kids excited about gardening. Until then, I’m going to spend as much time as I can in the garden before the frost comes, and take lots of pictures and save lots of seeds to share. And then I’ll spends the time when there’s snow on the ground planning next years garden, and buying and exchanging seeds.
RR: What is your favorite thing to grow?
EB: My favourite thing to grow is no doubt tomatoes! Last year I had 133 varieties, and this year I have even more! I love all the unique colours, shapes, sizes, and flavours. I’m even hoping to start breeding my own varieties next year!
RR: What's the most unusual thing you've ever grown?
EB: My favourite part of gardening is growing unusual things! That’s what makes the garden fun for me. I’m not sure that I have a favourite, but I sure have favourites! I love growing Cucamelons (mini cucumbers), Ground Cherries (sweet garden candy wrapped in a papery husk), purple carrots with orange cores, red peas, and peppers that change colour from purple to creamy white, yellow, orange, and finally red as they ripen. There are tons of really neat things to grow out there, you just have to look for them.
RR: Do you have any advice for kids who want to start their own gardens?
EB: My advice is for them to grow whatever interests them— try some thing unusual like Cucamelons (mini cucumbers), purple carrots, yellow peas, or blue and yellow tomatoes, just to name a few.
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