Seed Planting with Karen Johnson's Class

On September 18th I spent a little over an hour with 25 fifth-graders in Karen Johnson's class. We planted fall seeds and discussed some issues around backyard gardening. Read on to for more details...

Hands flew up in the air from twenty-five fifth graders for every question I asked, starting with the first one, which was, "What does a seed need to survive?" Between the students we were able to come up with sunlight and water, and I reminded them of air and soil. Perhaps those things seem bit too obvious to mention.

The kids in Karen Johnson's class at Chapman were incredibly excited to share their ideas on a number of topics such as common garden problems, favorite foods to plant, and how to eat them, all of which we discussed when I visited on Friday the 18th to plant fall seeds with them.

I arrived pulling buckets of dirt, seed packets, empty cup bottoms that Michelle Wurlitzer had gathered, and a watering can. I first asked the kids tot draw on a sheet of paper what their seed would look like after we planted it that day, what it might look like in a week, and another week after that. (Jeremy Miller shared this idea with me).

Almost every hand, if not all of them, went up when I asked how many people had gardens at home. I smiled and felt glad. I am so happy to see kids who have experience in a garden. I even learned something new: pouring salt around a plant to keep away slugs and snails. I'd previously only known the old standby of putting out small dishes of beer, which attracts those produce eaters and then they drown in it.

I shared with them some of the plants that are prime for planting now. I had brought radishes, collard greens, and broccoli. I also invited them to come get some seeds from the Chapman Garden Exchange table as well of course.

I left a tray over there for their cups to sit in and be watered until they were ready to take home. I also described to them a safe method of transplanting, and went over the importance of thinning. I put more than one seed in each cup so that the chances they all got to take home a plant were higher. Fortunately, Karen Johnson shared with me in an email that they now have sprouts!

I enjoyed sharing this activity with such an enthusiastic group of kids, although I did feel overwhelmed as they all crowded around me with their cups asking for soil. Next time I will remember to bring a few trowels.

Much appreciation to Karen for opening up her classroom, and to Michelle and Jeremy for helping organize this educational and engaging activity!