More Indoor Garden Projects

Not all gardening needs to be done outside. Try out these indoor projects that are sure to delight your little gardener, rain or shine.

Beans

Because they are hardy and sprout quickly, growing beans is the quintessential first "gardening" experience for most children. Here's a great way to sprout beans at home. Wet a paper towel and wrap it around a few bean seeds (Lima beans work well). Place the towel in a Ziploc baggy and seal. Next, place the bag in a warm sunny spot. You can even tape it to a window. Now sit back and watch them sprout in just a few days. When the roots have grown and a plant has sprouted, help your child transplant the beans into a flower pot with soil.

Orange Trees

Next time your son or daughter eats an orange, make sure to save the seeds. Rinse them thoroughly with warm water and leave them to soak overnight. Next, have your child fill a planter with soil and then plant the orange seeds about one half inch deep, and about one inch apart. Cover them with soil.

Next, place the planter in a warm sunny spot and water. Make sure the soil is kept moist while waiting for seeds to sprout (which may take as long as one month). As the plant grows, be sure to help your child transplant it to a larger pot as needed.

For more information, please see:

• The Jumbo Book of Gardening, by Karyn Morris (Kids Can Press)

By Rochelle Strauss