MANKATO — A place where kids are excited to try vegetables may sound like make-believe, but it exists right here in Mankato.

“A little gem atop the hill,” said Andy Raasch, father of 20-month-old Aurora.

Children have gathered every Wednesday morning this summer at the Kid’s Peace Garden in the Community Gardens at Good Counsel for a pre-school gardening program led by the Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry. The class, which goes through Aug. 31, is aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 5, but younger children are welcome as well.

“It’s a way to kind of cultivate a love for nature,” said Lynn Rozen, the class’s teacher.

“Sprouts Pre-School Gardening” is taught by watching, smelling, tasting, feeling and listening to the garden. It’s designed for parents and their children to enjoy time together outside while watching the plants grow from the seeds they planted, which this year included potatoes, beans and, recently, flowers.

“For pre-schoolers, that’s how they experience the world,” Rozen said.

During a recent class, the kids were able to try a traditional vegetable, a tomato, and something not-so traditional from the Kid’s Peace Garden.

“Anybody want to eat a weird purple flower?” asked Rozen.

Several children tried the little purple flower, and even Eva Remund, the mother of two kids in the class, joined in.

Jenn George said the garden is a great place to go because the children are “getting to explore things they never get to.” George said her 4-year-old son, Hunter, “really likes being able to explore.”

“It teaches kids to like vegetables,” Rozen said. “We even got a finicky eater to eat kohlrabi.”

Remund said 5-year-old Garret’s favorite vegetable is now kohlrabi. His 3-year-old sister Olivia’s favorite vegetable, however, is tomatoes, which was obvious from the way she grinned each time she ate one.

“We come every week,” Remund said. “We even came the really hot day.”

And the Remunds are not the only family thrilled with the Kid’s Peace Garden. Raasch said he came with his daughter once last year and then about every week this year.

Raasch’s daughter, Aurora, second youngest in the group, was offered a tomato by one of the older kids during the class.

“When another little hand gives it to her, she’s like, ‘OK,’” he said.

All the children seemed excited to be in the garden, running around with smiles on their faces as they helped find bugs with their nets and magnify glasses. But there was one part of the day that seemed to be a favorite for everyone, especially Aurora: watering.

“Pre-schoolers love to water plants,” Rozen said.

Rozen sang a quick song about getting the watering cans and filling them with water, which made all the children come running and claim one. While watering the plants and searching for bugs, the kids learn a lot about the plants and what they’re called.

“It’s kind of impressive when your kid can name the plants correctly,” Remund said.

Lisa Coons, the Center coordinator, plans the program, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame donated the land to be used through the Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry.

Any surplus produce from the Kid’s Peace Garden is donated to the ECHO Food Shelf.

Rozen said the goal is to have the garden be a peaceful place. And from the blooming flowers to the breeze atop the hill, there’s no question this has been accomplished.

“I’m so thankful they have this in Mankato,” Remund said.

Children and parents are welcome to come visit the Kid’s Garden outside of class time as well.

There are also plots available for families to purchase, and a gardening class for older kids.