Tending to a garden may seem like a chore to adults, but to many children it’s a new, fun way to experience food.

Hy-Vee’s One Step Garden kicked off its fourth year Wednesday afternoon outside the store as children planted a garden and learned about how to grow their own food.

The nine-week program, which begins July 2, gives kids the chance to see where their food comes from.

“Gardening in general helps kids think of other things to eat, healthy food,” founder and Hy-Vee dietitian Jen Haugen said. “It’s a great way to teach kids about food.”

Three-year-old Lily Schulz did not want to be distracted from planting tomatoes. When asked what her favorite vegetable was, she replied, “Carrots. ‘Cause they’re yummy.”

Lily said she was having fun digging holes in the dirt to plant the seeds.

Haugen founded One-Step Garden — previously known as Sprouts — in the spring of 2011. Haugen grew up gardening and wanted children to know what it was like. The program exposes children to gardening and healthy home-grown foods to expand their palates and improve their eating habits, which organizers hope will promote a lifetime of healthier eating habits. When the children grow, pick and make their own food, Haugen said they’re much more likely to taste it.

Eight-year-old Ava Denzer was excited to start planting seeds. Her favorite vegetable is lettuce.

“Because it grows in the garden,” Ava said.

She enjoys eating salads and other recipes that include lettuce.

Ava’s mother, Lisa Denzer, first brought her daughter to the program through Kid’s Corner, a summer program with the Austin Public Schools.

“I think it’s a great way to expose kids to healthy eating,” Denzer said.

She and her family garden at home and enjoy going to the farmer’s market to pick up fresh produce. She said plans to come again next year.

The kids who participate plant and water seeds. Later, they weed, harvest, cook and assemble different recipes. Haugen said the kids have a lot of fun with the activities, even the ones many view as chores, such as weeding.

Vegetables planted this year include peas, cucumbers, onions, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, herbs, broccoli and spinach. This year’s planting was delayed due to wet weather.

Haugen chose vegetables for variety, but also on a basis of when they’ll be ready to harvest. Some of the vegetables will be ready before others.

“Every class we want to make sure there’s something harvestable,” Haugen said.

The program will run over nine weeks, with children from kindergarten to fifth-grade tending to the garden each Wednesday in two classes each lasting about 90 minutes. Children can sign up at any time during the summer. To register, contact either the Kid’s Corner program or the Summer Days program.

—Jason Schoonover contributed to this report