POULSBO — The sun shone, the flowers were in bloom and even Peter Rabbit popped his head out of his hole for the occasion.

More than 100 parents and kids trekked to Raab Park last week for the opening day of the Youth Garden Monday activities. The gardening fun will continue from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 30.

Under the shade of a nearby tree, Master Gardener Sheryl Simpson and her bunny hand-puppet friend told kids the story of Peter Rabbit. Those interested in something a little more active tried their hands at planting stalks of corn in the gardening space.

Valerie Martin of Poulsbo and her sons Alex, 3, and Trevor, 8 months, made their first visit to the garden Monday. Alex carefully dug holes where Master Gardener Marilyn Mathis told him to and then planted the starts carefully in the soil.

“He loves playing in our garden at home — watering and weeding — and we thought it would be a perfect activity,” Valerie said.

Kids and parents are also invited to pick and wash anything edible. Any produce not picked by the end of the season is donated to Fishline Food Bank.

Besides story time and garden work, each gathering also includes a make and take craft. Monday, the event included planting Peter Rabbit gardens to take home.

The Klein family, which recently moved to Poulsbo, was also marking its first visit to the Youth Garden. Mom Monica said she had heard about the events through the working at her P-Patch in Raab Park’s community garden and was impressed with how much fun her son Jacob, 4, was having. She predicted they’d be back for more Mondays this summer.

“Dad’s in the Navy and he’s gone for the summer of we’re looking for any and all activities we can do,” she commented.

For more information about Raab Park Youth Garden activities, call (360) 779-9898.