| Author |
Across the Fence:  Teaching Kids About Gardening  |
|
|
kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 08:36:46 AM
|
For those with kiddos, here is a neat "experiment" try while you wait for spring. Get a couple of flower bulbs and some garden pebbles. Put the pebbles in a glass, just about a 1 inch layer. Add one or two bulbs to the vase (they can be stacked on top of the other. Add water, but don't completely submerge them in water. Place somewhat near a window to get light, but not too much light.
You will see the roots growing and intertwining with the rock and you will see the stem and eventually flower growing.
Just remember to water daily!
I got some flower bulbs for Christmas and I did this. It is really neat and I couldn't believe how fast they grew. I really liked seeing the roots below.
This will teach kids about plant growth and a little about hydroponics. We used hydroponics to grow tobacco for a few years and I did a science fair exhibit over which were better, traditional plant beds vs hydroponics. I based it on height of plant, width of average leafs, weight, and market price. We also had a few damaging hail storms and I took photos and described the damage. The hydroponics won overall. They were stronger and healthier and could withstand drought better.
I just realized that now is science fair season...what do your kids do for projects? I'll try to think of some more to post.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Farmgirl Sisterhood #137~
Be sure to visit my blog & Crafty Clipart for some of my photographs:
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftyclipart.com |
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 08:44:54 AM
|
What a great idea Jessica! I will have to remember this when Nora is a little bit older. I bet you could do this with lots of seeds!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
 |
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 10:20:44 AM
|
We can never resist the old avocado seed with toothpicks and a 1/2 pint jar thing..fun to see the roots and to watch the little tree grow too. Have you seen the book "Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots" by Sharon Lovejoy? It has a ton of cute fun gardening things to do with kids. I got to meet the author a few times..when I live din Calif and she was a hoot.
My kids love to grow things.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 10:25:15 AM
|
Another cool thing to do with kids is to get some seeds (beans are great) and put them with a little potting soil into a zip lock baggie. Moisten the soil and zip the bag, leaving about an inch open. Tape the whole thing in a sunny window and watch the seed sprout! It works as a little greenhouse. Make sure you keep the soil moist and when the sprout gets a couple of inches long, take it out and plant it. We did this in my preschool classroom, and NEVER had one fail to sprout!! Kids can actually witness the miracle as it happens.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
|
|
|
Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 10:31:22 AM
|
The hydroponic thing fascinates me, Jess. I've bought a lot of daylilies from a grower in Florida who only has a couple of acres, but grows his lilies hydroponically. I've seen photos, and it's amazing how beautiful they are and how many he can grow in a small space.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
|
|
|
lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 01:48:56 AM
|
You know, it's funny, I've been trying to get dd interested in gardening for years. I'd keep showing her new shoots in the spring and the flowers as they open and gush about how beautiful they are and all I'd get is a grin and a "Yeah, ok, Mom. You know I don't really care. Why do you keep showing me this stuff?". I always answered with "Well, someday, I'm hoping you WILL care!" Starting a bean plant and avacado tree did nothing for her; even all the fruits and veggies I brought in couldn't seem to spur her on. She LOVES fresh from the garden produce (she won't eat cooked veggies!)
All of sudden, the other day, she asked me if she could help in the garden this year. I was shocked! I asked her after all this time, why now? She said since she's striking out on her own this year, she figured she better learn it while she can. Wow! There's so much to learn and now so little time. I'll just have to cram it all in the best I can. I just love it! I finally got her interested.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
|
|
| |
Across the Fence: Teaching Kids About Gardening |
|
Teaching Kids About Gardening
