Greenhouse Trip

Ages 3 and up (one 1 - 1½ hour session)

Objectives:

To learn the difference between environmentally controlled growing and outdoor growing
To sow seeds for the children’s garden

Materials:

peas, beans, and sunflower seeds
potting media (soilless potting mix)
four-inch pots or six packs
plastic containers from ready made salads (when turned upside down, they resemble little greenhouses)
labels

Set up:

Arrange a trip to a university greenhouse, commercial greenhouse, a botanical garden, or conservatory in your area. Some gardening centers have their own children’s gardening club and could be a good option if a greenhouse trip can’t be arranged. (Contact your local Cooperative Extension for ideas). Arrange to have a guided tour and do planting activities at the greenhouse. If planting isn’t possible at the greenhouse, plan to sow seeds at school after the trip in the salad containers. If the greenhouse tour is timed to coincide with garden planting, transplants can be purchased by children.

Part One:

Before the trip or on the way to the greenhouse, explain that in a greenhouse we control the temperature, light and moisture so that it is optimal for plants’ growth. As the tour progresses instruct the children to take a close look of the greenhouse. Call their attention to the fans, windowpanes of glass, lights, and benches. Talk about plants to use in their garden.

Part Two:

Bring the children to the area where they will be doing the planting activity. Explain that they will be planting seeds for their new garden. Have a station where children can choose their seeds, and get their pots and soil. (This way all children will be busy and not waiting around to plant their seeds). Demonstrate how to sow the seeds and show children the depth at which the different seeds should be planted, following the directions on the seed packets. In our field trip children were encouraged to plant as many pots as they wished and to help others by handing out seeds, pots and cleaning up.

Questions to ask:

What did they like the best about the greenhouse?
What is special about growing plants in a greenhouse?
Did they see any plants in the greenhouse that they would like to have in their garden?
Can they point out things that are different from a garden?
What is the same?