Taking care of our plants is one of the best parts of gardening. We grow lots of delicious plants, including vegetables like lettuce and carrots and fruits like blueberries and tomatoes. You might be surprised to learn that both blueberries and tomatoes are actually fruits, even though many people think of tomatoes as vegetables! So, how can we tell the difference between fruits and vegetables? Let’s explore!

What Are Fruits and Vegetables?

Understanding the differences between fruits and vegetables can be tricky, but learning about how plants grow helps us figure it out.

How Plants Grow

Plants start their life as seeds. When a seed begins to grow, it pushes its roots deep into the soil and stretches its stem and leaves up towards the sun. Some parts of the plant, like roots, stems, leaves, and flower buds, are edible, meaning we can safely eat them. We call these edible parts vegetables.

For example, think about a carrot. As it grows, you can see its leaves and stem above the soil, but the part we eat grows underground. Since the carrot is a root that we can eat, it is classified as a vegetable.

What About Fruits?

Every fruit starts from a blooming flower. Flowers are important because they help plants reproduce, which means making more plants. When a flower blooms, it forms seeds. The part of the flower that holds the seed will swell and grow, eventually becoming the fruit we eat. So, if it’s an edible part like a root, stem, leaf, or unopened flower bud, it’s a vegetable. If it’s part of a flowering plant that has seeds, it’s a fruit!

Let’s Guess: Fruit or Vegetable?

Now that we know the difference, let’s see if you can guess whether certain plants are fruits or vegetables!

Spinach

First up is spinach. What do you think? Is spinach a fruit or a vegetable? That’s right, it’s a vegetable! Spinach is a leaf, and the plant also has roots to hold it in the ground.

Cucumber

Next, let’s look at cucumbers. What do you think? Fruit or vegetable? Correct! It’s a fruit. Cucumber plants have roots, stems, and leaves, but they also produce flowers. The part of the flower turns into the cucumber fruit, and if you cut one open, you’ll see the little seeds inside.

Green Peas

Now, how about green peas? Believe it or not, peas are actually a fruit! Pea plants make flowers, and the parts of these flowers become the pea pods we eat. When we eat the peas in the pod, we’re really eating the seeds!

Fun at the Grocery Store

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell fruits from vegetables in the grocery store. Some fruits have tiny seeds that are hard to see, and it can be tricky to identify roots, stems, or leaves. But it’s always fun to guess what’s what in your shopping cart!

Just remember to eat plenty of both fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet!

Questions and Comments

Thanks for joining us today! Do you have a question about a food you love? Ask a grown-up to help you and let us know by leaving a comment below or sending us an email. We can’t wait to hear from you!