To teach about gardening, with the use of seeds that produce results quickly indoors.
Materials and equipment needed
Radish seeds, cress seeds, milk cartons, shallow pans, potting soil, sandy soil mix, and waxed paper or clear plastic wrap.
Activity:
Radishes:
1. Cut the long side out of a milk carton and fill the carton with sandy soil mix. (No need for fertilizer if soil is fairly rich). Sow seeds in rows 1 ½ apart, and 18 seeds in a row, and cover ¼ deep. Two rows will fit in a quart and threes rows in a half-gallon carton.
2. Place the carton on a windowsill in a sunny location.
3. Water to keep soil damp, not wet. In three or four weeks you should have radishes. One package of seed should be enough for eight to ten milk carton gardens.
Cress:
Cress is a fast-growing herb. It is fascinating to watch and interesting to use in salads, sandwiches, as a garnish or for just plain nibbling.
1. Fill a shallow pan with potting soil, garden soil or planting mix. Wet thoroughly.
2. Sprinkle seed thickly over soil or planting mix. Cover with waxed paper or clear plastic wrap for two days.
3. Then put pan on a windowsill. (Bright sunlight is not necessary). Keep soil or planting mix moist.
4. Cut and eat when plants are 1 ½ to 2 tall.
Places to Go
1. Greenhouse.
2. Hardware or farm supply store that sells seeds.