The Garden is Always Greener Where You Water it…Kaitlin Mitchell of Rutabaga Gardening Tells Us Why

Gardening was something my mom always enjoyed, and spending summers on my aunt’s farm in New Jersey taught me to appreciate the dirt, sunshine, and the smell of freshly picked vegetables. I couldn’t wait to grab my basket and head outside to pick some blackberries for my morning pancakes, some corn on the cob for dinner and the smell of vine ripe tomatoes to this day has a calming affect on me that I cannot explain. However, as I grew older, that inspiration faded, and the idea of getting out in the garden with bugs and dirt lost its appeal.

Recently, I found myself craving a return to nature and the idea of growing my own fruits and vegetables. This sparked a deep dive for inspiration, and lead me down the rabbit hole, which led me to Kaitlin Mitchell and Rutabaga Gardening.

Kaitlin Mitchell, founder of Rutabaga Gardening, has always been deeply committed to education and community. As a former elementary school teacher with a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education, she’s spent years cultivating hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity in children and families alike. San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles describes her as “an edible gardening evangelist,” a title that perfectly captures her passion for bringing people closer to nature through gardening.

In addition, her inspiration for Rutabaga Tools came from a simple, yet powerful observation: existing garden tools weren’t designed for shared family experiences. Too bulky for children and uncomfortable for adults…they were missing the mark on accessibility. Determined to fill this gap, Kaitlin spent five years meticulously designing and testing her tools, leading to the creation of Rutabaga’s patent-pending ergonomic handle. This innovation transformed her early sketches and prototypes into a tool that’s intuitive, versatile, and perfect for family gardening.

However, Rutabaga goes far beyond just gardening—it’s a platform for education, connection, and community building. Kaitlin’s broader vision includes fostering environmental stewardship and offering a holistic approach to well-being, where gardening serves as a source of physical, mental, and emotional nourishment. With each tool sold, the mission grows, bringing families closer and empowering them to engage with the natural world.

Kaitlin’s passion for education extends through Rutabaga Education, which has been active since 2015. This initiative provides teachers and families with hands-on resources that encourage exploration in gardening, science, and nutrition. Now, with the expansion into Rutabaga Tools, Kaitlin’s vision is reaching new heights, creating opportunities for families to bond, learn, and grow together. The tools she’s created are not just about cultivating plants—they’re about cultivating a lifestyle where nature, learning, and togetherness thrive.

We had the privilege to sit down with Kaitlin to fins out more about what drives her mission and what’s next for Rutabaga Gardening.

Can you tell us about your journey from being an elementary school educator to founding Rutabaga Gardening?

Most of my professional career has been in education, specifically elementary education. I taught 4th grade for eight years and took a sabbatical when my boys were one and three, and my husband was going through a rough patch with Crohn's Disease. That year, we got him healthy and decided that I'd stay home with the boys. It was during those years that we really grew our backyard garden. When my older son began Kindergarten, I was recruited to help with the school garden. I dove in and wanted to incorporate easy-to-teach (to entice more volunteers) and cross-curricular (to get the teachers on board) lessons that tied in with what the kids were learning in the class. It took five years to develop the curriculum to make it a resource that kept our school program thriving and could be incorporated into other school, club, organization, and family garden programs.

Throughout my School Garden Coordinator time, I also created the Rutabaga Garden Tools when I saw a need for safe, durable, and effective garden tools that both children and adults could use. It was important to me to also make them eco-conscious in the States. We partner with The Ocean Legacy Foundation, and the tools are made from end-of-life marine ropes recovered from the Pacific Ocean or along the shorelines.

What inspired you to become an "edible gardening evangelist"?

I saw the physical and mental health benefits through my family and the hundreds of kids at the school. In my opinion, there is nothing better for making memories, building healthy habits, instilling patience, inspiring community, and problem-solving than fruit and vegetable gardening.

How did your master's degree in Cross-Cultural Education influence your approach to gardening education?

Food is such an essential part of culture and inherently brings people together. I've seen how accepting different types of food and how it can be served creates more openness to other cultural variances. It helps kids to see all people of all cultures as "us" rather than "them."

Rutabaga Education has been in development since 2015. What were some of the initial challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

In the beginning, I was very overwhelmed; throughout those five years of development, there was a lot of trial and error. Not only did I learn that lessons are more impactful when you keep them simple, but they should also build upon themselves within the season, from season to season, and year to year. Dozens of outlines and taking notes before and after teaching lessons were essential to making the curriculum as fun and effective as it is. The only way to get through that was time and lots of observation.

Can you describe the process of developing teaching standards and tools for gardening, science, nature, and nutrition?

I did not develop the teaching standards, but I would incorporate the National NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) and Common Core Math and Science. I also had the liberty of including mindfulness and a little yoga to help the kids better enjoy outdoor learning with all of their senses.

How do you ensure that your resources are accessible to children and families of all ages and abilities?

The lessons serve as guides, but people incorporate their growing situation and background knowledge to make the lessons their own. You could teach the classes as is or use the material to enhance your own experience.

Could you share a success story or memorable moment from your work with Rutabaga Education?

It is hard to pick just one! There have been many instances where people have used Rutabaga Education to creatively teach the population they work with. I have a friend who works with 9th and 10th-grade children with special needs, and she uses the books to give these kids life skills and confidence and to enhance their science curriculum. I also returned to two homeschooling conferences this summer. Numerous families told me how the books had brought their families closer, and they were so proud to share what they've grown and learned. These in-person testimonials mean the world to me!

In what ways do you think gardening can impact children's education and development?

In every way, learning outdoors requires using all your senses and shows how other subjects you learn apply in the real world. It also teaches patience, resilience, and problem-solving skills, which are tapped into less when technology is constantly at your fingertips.

Why is it so important that your garden tools not only be eco-friendly, but kid-friendly, as well?

When a tool is also kid-friendly, it is used properly. Properly used tools are more effective and build confidence. Parents can also feel comfortable that the tools their kids use are safe, unlike materials like cast aluminum, which contains lead.

What role do you think gardening and nature education play in addressing broader societal issues, such as sustainability and healthy living?

It helps families better understand eating seasonally (therefore locally) and growing seasonally. You also have a better appreciation for seasons and environmental issues. It's hard not to care about what you eat and your planet when you immerse yourself and appreciate healthy food and nature.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey with Rutabaga Gardening?

I just had this conversation with someone this morning. Hands down, it's the inspiring people I've met in all walks of life. I love learning about different areas of business where people possess their areas of genius and expertise.

What advice would you give to educators or parents who want to introduce gardening and nature education to children?

To enjoy the journey, celebrate even the littlest of wins, and not expect perfection.

Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that you are particularly excited about?

Yes!! I'm teaching in-person adult classes this fall, and right before the holidays, we are releasing another variation of the tools with different-colored handles. They are really cute!

How do you see Rutabaga Gardening evolving in the next five years?

I don't know, and I like seeing where this journey takes me and the business. Rutabaga Gardening's growth has been organic, and I'm excited to see what other opportunities present themselves!

How can parents and teachers find out more about Rutabaga Education and how to partner with you?

Please reach out to me on my website https://rutabagagardening.com/ or Instagram @rutabagagardening. I also have a newsletter that you can join from the site. I'm always sharing what's new and growing in three places!

How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life and self-care?

For many years, my family and business have always taken precedence. This past year, I've focused more on taking care of myself. My family still comes first, but with the company, I get done what I can and no longer beat myself up for all the things I can be doing. I also commit to less and remind myself how valuable my time is for myself and my family. I must feel passionate and aligned with something before I put my energy into it!

Favorite quote, by who and why?

That's an easy one!!

"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." ~ Audrey Hepburn

Growing a garden always gives you something to look forward to, and you'll never stop learning!

I don’t know about you, but I’m seriously inspired to get outside and start my own garden. There’s something so freeing about growing your own fruits and veggies—it’s like a little slice of nature right at home. As Kaitlin said, it’s a great way to connect with family and build community.

Gardening is also fantastic for your health. It’s a fun workout that keeps you moving and feeling good. Plus, it’s a total stress-buster; spending time with plants and in nature calms the mind and lifts the spirit.

And let’s not forget the eco-friendly perks. Growing your own food means fresher, healthier meals and less reliance on store-bought produce. Gardening really nourishes both your body and soul while giving back to the Earth.

Thank you Kaitlin for showing us that the grass is always greener where you water it.

The Garden is Always Greener Where You Water it…Kaitlin Mitchell of Rutabaga Gardening Tells Us Why

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