Hey there! This year, we’re super excited to start a garden in my backyard. Squeaks and I have been looking through our seeds, and it’s amazing how different they all look. Did you know that seeds can give us clues about what kind of plants they’ll grow into?
Let’s take a look at some seeds. Bean seeds are big and shiny, while radish seeds are tiny and round. Tomato seeds are also tiny, but they’re flatter than radish seeds. Each seed is unique, and they all need to be planted at the right time and place to grow well.
Just like animals, plants live in habitats. A habitat is where plants and animals find everything they need to survive. Some habitats are cold, some are hot, some are dry, and some are wet. Depending on where a plant’s habitat is, it might need different things to grow.
Plants can be perennial or annual. Perennial plants, like trees, live for many years and come back every season. Have you seen tulips pop up in spring? They were already in the ground during winter! Most veggies we grow are annuals, which means they need to be replanted every year.
To grow a successful garden, we need to know when to plant our seeds. That’s where a calendar comes in handy! Our friend Juniper the Earthworm is here to help us make a seed calendar. She knows a lot about plants and can teach us about the last frost date.
The last frost date is the last day when it’s likely to freeze outside. Frost can hurt plants, so it’s important to know when it’s safe to plant. Different plants need to be planted before or after this date. For example, radishes like the cold and should be planted six weeks before the last frost. Beans need warmth and should be planted after the last frost.
To start our garden, we need to mark the last frost date on our calendar. For our area, it’s around May 15th. Then, we count six weeks back to find when to plant our first seeds. It’s important to check the seed packets for instructions, too!
Now that we have our plan, it’s time to plant our seeds. Growing a garden can be challenging, but it’s so rewarding to see your seeds turn into beautiful plants. Thanks for joining us on this gardening adventure!
If you have any questions, you can ask a grown-up to help you reach out to us. Happy gardening!
Seed Matching Game: Gather a variety of seeds, such as bean, radish, and tomato seeds. Mix them up and challenge the children to match each seed to a picture of the plant it will grow into. Discuss why they think each seed belongs to a particular plant. This activity helps children observe the differences in seeds and understand how they relate to the plants they become.
Plant Habitat Exploration: Take a walk in a local park or garden and observe different plants. Ask the children to identify which plants might like sunny spots and which might prefer shady areas. Discuss how the environment affects where plants grow. Encourage them to think about how different habitats provide what plants need to survive.
Make a Seed Calendar: Create a simple calendar with the children to plan when to plant different seeds. Use colored markers or stickers to mark the last frost date and the best planting times for each type of seed. This hands-on activity helps children understand the importance of timing in gardening and how to plan for a successful garden.
