Growing With Science Blog

Last week we looked at planning a children’s garden. Now are you ready to do some gardening-related science activities?

The project this week is both useful and educational. Ever have a pile of leftover seed packets tucked away in a cupboard somewhere? You know, the ones with the “Packed for 2001” stamped on them.

Not sure whether the seed is still viable or whether planting it would be a waste of time? There’s an easy test to find out. It’s called a germination test.

Pull out your old seed packets. Edit: Note: check the packages carefully to see if the seeds are treated with pesticides, such as fungicides and avoid handling treated seeds.

For each packet you and/or your children want to test, gather the following:

• Paper towels
• Either paper plates and plastic wrap /or zip-loc style bags
• Water

Wash your hands and try to keep everything as clean as possible.

All you need to do is select 10 seeds from each packet you want to test, and prepare a damp paper towel for each different packet. Lay the seeds on the damp paper towel and fold it over. Then either lay the towel on a paper plate and cover with plastic wrap, or slip the damp paper towel into a zip-loc.  Come back in 24 hours and 48 hours and look for the tiny root (radicle) poking out of the seed, a sign that it is germinating.  Count how many germinated and how many did not. If none germinated, then perhaps it is time to invest in a new batch of seeds.

Note:  Certain seeds, like carrots, take a long time to germinate, so keep them moist and don’t give up on them right away.

If you have germination, take the tiny sprouted seeds and transfer them to containers filled with moist soil and you’ll have transplants ready when it is time to start your garden.

For more information, explore the kitchen scrap garden science activities at http://growingwithscience.com, for example, sprouting bean seeds.

Tie-in books for the youngest set:
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston (Author), Sylvia Long (Illustrator)

How a Seed Grows (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Helene J. Jordan (Author), Loretta Krupinski (Illustrator)

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons has definitely been one of our favorite nonfiction authors and this book does not disappoint.

And books for adults:
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth Kent Whealy