Growing a plant from a seed brings your child closer to nature. Children who are exposed to the sprouting and growth stages of developing plants may continue to enjoy plants and eventually garden on their own. Whether you live in the country, suburbia or right in the middle of a city, you can teach your child how to grow a plant. Give her the tools she needs to be successful in growing and nurturing plants of all types.
Step 1
Read a book about plants to your child. Choose a book that is age-appropriate but still explains how a seed transforms into a plant. Read a fun, illustrated book such as "The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds" to your child. Explain in detail what is happening to the plant so when your child plants her own seed she understands the germination process.
Step 2
Take your child to a local nursery or plant store. Bring a piece of paper and have your child write down what he notices about the plants. Point out the different leaf shapes, the thickness of the stalks and any flowers present. Ask a nursery employee to help you pick out seeds that will grow in your area. Purchase the seeds, potting soil, fertilizer and appropriate sized pot.
Step 3
Take the seeds out of the packet and examine the size, color and shape. If you saw the particular plant at the nursery, ask your child if she observed the location of the seeds in the plant. Explain to her that her seed would never grow if she simply put the seed on the counter, so she needs to provide soil, water and sunlight for the seed to grow.
Step 4
Show your child how to spoon the potting soil into the pot, explaining that the pot has a drainage hole in order for water to drain away from the root of the plant. Tell her to put in soil until the soil is about 1 inch from the top of the pot. Read the back of the seed packet together and determine how deep to plant the seeds. Choose two or three seeds and ask your child to gently push the seeds into the soil to the required depth. Use a ruler or her finger to measure the depth. Water the newly planted seeds.
Step 5
Water the plant regularly. Tell your child he should check the plant's moisture level by feeling the top of the soil. If it is dry, gently water the plant; if it is moist, check again later that day or the day after.
Step 6
Keep the plant in a sunny window or on your deck. Check the plant every day until you see the stalk pushing through the soil. Make a chart and measure the progress of the plant's growth. As the plant grows taller, keep your child's interest high by counting leaves and noticing the changing appearance of the plant. Encourage her to plant other seeds and watch them grow.
Tips and Warnings
- Fertilize your plant as directed on the fertilizer container if you did not use enriched potting soil. Choose a vegetable such as cherry tomatoes, which grow quickly and you can eat. Plant an indoor herb garden in the winter with your child. Check with your local 4-H club for gardening activities that are open to the public.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after working with plants and soil. Do not plant poisonous plants.
Things You'll Need
- Children's book on plants
- Paper
- Pen or pencil
- Seeds
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer (optional)
- Pot
- Spoon
- Ruler
- Growth chart
References
- "The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds"; Joanna Cole; 1995
- Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Planting a Garden With Your Child
- Washington State University: Plants Grow Children Curriculum
- Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Guidelines for Watering Indoor Plants
