Category: Gardening With Children (Page 8 of 10)

Weekend Science Fun: Germination Science Experiments

Did you try the germination tests from last week? Did you get anything that looks like this?

bean radicle

If you enjoyed sprouting seeds, then here are a few more ideas for seed germination science experiments.

Before starting, however, let’s take a minute and think about how information from experiments on seeds and germination might be important. Last week we discussed how you could use a germination test to see if old seed you have lying around is still viable (able to make new plants). Plant scientists interested in maintaining rare plants, entrusted with ensuring maximum yields from crop plants and/or concerned with storing seeds in seed banks for the future study the changes in seeds over time and how to slow or prevent loss of viability. These scientists subject seeds to different conditions and examine the physical and chemical changes that occur as time passes. Their findings indicate that factors such as temperature, moisture, diseases, and chemical pollutants can all change seed viability.

Experiment 1. Effect of temperature on seeds and seed germination

Think of ways to test whether temperature effects seed sprouting or percent germination.

Example A:
Choose seeds of one kind of plant to test. (Note: Be sure to check the seed package carefully. Some seeds are treated with pesticides). Randomly assign the seeds to three categories. With the help of an adult, place 1/3 of the seeds on a paper towel or on a microwave safe plate and heat in a microwave on high for thirty seconds. Allow seeds, especially oily ones, to cool before touching them.  Add 1/3 of the seeds in a freezer overnight in a freezer. Leave the remaining seeds at room temperature. Then perform a germination test as described last week. Count the number of seeds that germinated for each treatment and divide by the total of seeds (for that treatment) to obtain the percent germinated. If there are no differences, how can you modify this test?

Example B:
Choose seeds of one kind of plant and divide into three groups. Prepare each group for germination as discussed last week. Place one group in the fridge, one at room temperature and one in a sunny window or other place warmer than room temperature. Make sure they all stay moist but not too wet. Record the number of days until germination and also the percent germination (see Example B.)

Experiment 2. Rate of germination of seeds from different plants
Collect seeds from different plants (two examples of plants with vastly different germination times are radishes and carrots.) Perform the germination test as described last week.

Note:  because radishes and carrots have different germination times, it is possible to plant them together in a garden. The radishes will come up and mature first. The slower carrots will benefit from the extra room left behind as the radishes are pulled out and used.

Experiment 3. Effect of chemicals or pollutants on seed germination

Use your imagination to come up with treatments that may increase or decrease germination. Think about things like salts (may be present in the water or soil), nutrients, and/or antimicrobial treatments that might change how many seeds of a given batch germinate.

As always, we would love to hear your ideas and/or results.

tomato seed sprouting

For further study:
Seeds and Plants (Science Workbook) by Diane O’Hanesian, John Jones (Illustrator)
Grades 2-3

This book does a good job with terminology and also showing concrete, real world examples. Better done than many science books for the younger set.


The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow by Joanna Cole (Author), John Speirs (Illustrator), Bruce Degan (Illustrator)


For many more suggestions, visit our list of children’s books about seeds at Science Books for Kids.

childrens-books-about-seeds

And a treat for adults interested in science and plants:
Seed to Seed: The Secret Life of Plants by Nicholas Harberd


Disclosures: I am an affiliate for Amazon. If you click through the linked titles or ads and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Proceeds will be used to maintain this self-hosted blog.

Weekend Science Fun: Germination test

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

seeds packets

If you are 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. Note: check the packages carefully to see if the seeds are treated with pesticides, such as fungicides or insecticides. Avoid handling pesticide-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 plastic bags
  • Water

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

1. Prepare a separate damp paper towel for each different seed packet.

2. Select 10 seeds from each packet you want to test. For example, you might have 10 marigold seeds and 10 corn seeds.

3. Lay the 10 marigold seeds on a 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 bag. Repeat for the 10 corn seeds or whatever kinds of seeds are in the rest of the packets.

germination test

3. 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 seeds germinate and how many do not. Certain seeds, like carrots, take a long time to germinate (up to 2 weeks), so keep them moist and don’t give up on them right away. If no seeds germinate after two weeks, then perhaps it is time to invest in a new batch of seeds.

You can calculate the percent germination by dividing the number that germinated by the number you set up. For example if 9 seeds germinated out of 10, then your percent germination = 90%. If only 5 germinated out of 10, then the percent germination is 50%.

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

Tie-in books for the youngest set (Affiliate cover links go to Amazon):

A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long

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

Weekend Science Fun: Planning A Children’s Garden

A  garden can be a wonderful learning experience. By giving your child the freedom to design his or her own space, a budget to work with and a few simple tools, you can have a project that builds a lifetime of skills and memories.

Planning a children’s garden can be done any time of year, but right now is a great time to get started.

What do you need?

Gardening is relatively simple. You need:

  • Spot with at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Seeds and/or transplants

Of those three, the sunlight hours are often the most difficult to find. Because of the Earth’s tilt, the position of the sun changes with the seasons. Make sure the spot you have chosen isn’t shaded by trees, walls, or buildings throughout the day.

As for soil, you must decide if you are going to put the seeds or transplants into the ground, grow them in a container, or create a raised bed.  Containers must be at least 8 inches in diameter.

Also, find out the growing season for your location.  Check with local gardening organizations or your local Cooperative Extension office for planting dates.

Types of Gardens

Help your child decide on the type of garden he or she would like to plant. Does your child like vegetables? Then a kitchen garden would be perfect. Other types of gardens might be flower gardens or herb gardens. You might want to check our previous posts on theme gardens for ideas.

Beyond Planning

If you have had gardens in the past and want to expand your learning experiences even more, now is the time to plan garden activities, too.  These days there are a number of websites and organizations devoted to gardening with children and often they have free curricula.

Your local Cooperative Extension office is likely to have information about gardening with children. For example, the University of Illinois Extension has a Planning My Garden area for kids with information on how to grow different plants just a click away. PBS has information/ideas about gardening with children and KidsGardening.org has a wonderful gardening activities.

If you want to be part of an organization, take a look at the Cooperative Extension’s Junior Master Gardener Program. They have curricula for sale.

Budgeting for Seeds

The next step for planning is to develop a seed budget and order seeds.

Here are some links to seed company websites. Most are still willing to send a paper copy of their catalogs, if you want one. These are a  few that came to mind, no endorsement is implied. Note:  Many of these websites also have a wealth of information about gardening.

Botanical Interests

Burpee

Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Company

Johnny’s Seeds

Park Seed Co.

Seeds of Change

Seed Saver’s Exchange

 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

bean seed

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