Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn something cool about plants with our friends. Squeaks and I have been planning a garden to grow yummy veggies like radishes, beans, and tomatoes. We know plants need water and light to grow, but Squeaks asked a great question: Why don’t plants need soil to grow?
Most plants, like grass and trees, grow in soil because they have roots. Roots do a lot of important jobs. They act like anchors to hold the plant in place so it doesn’t blow away in the wind. Roots also help the plant stand upright, reaching for sunlight.
When we water plants, the water goes into the soil and reaches the roots. The roots absorb the water and nutrients, which are like vitamins and minerals that help the plant grow healthy, just like they do for us!
Yes, they can! While healthy soil is a great place for roots, plants can grow without it if they get water and nutrients in another way. We can do a simple experiment to see how this works.
First, we need some seeds. Lettuce seeds work well for this experiment. We sprout the seeds in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel. Once they start growing, we place them on a piece of cotton to keep them in place.
Next, we need a container. An empty plastic bottle from the recycling bin is perfect. We cut the top off and turn it over, fitting it into the bottom part of the bottle. We mark a line to see how high to fill it with water and nutrients.
We use an aquarium pump to blow air into the water and nutrients, keeping everything mixed up. This way, the growing plants get everything they need. We put the seeds near a window for plenty of light, turn on the pump, and wait!
Some plants in nature don’t grow in soil. For example, plants in rainforest trees get sun and water from the air. Their roots take nutrients from stuff on the tree branches.
People might grow plants without soil if they don’t have access to it. In cities, there’s often no room for big farms, but people still need vegetables. This method is even used in space on the International Space Station to help astronauts grow fresh food!
So, that’s how plants can grow without soil. It’s pretty amazing, right? Now, all this talk about lettuce is making me hungry for a salad. Are you ready to eat, Squeaks?
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