Ms. Chaides' 4th Graders Plant in Recycled Pots

Yesterday Ms. Chaides' 4th graders planted seeds in recycled pots in honor of Earth Day. They chose from biodegradable peat pots and cardboard egg cartons.  Some of the favorite seeds were carrots, watermelons, pumpkins and tomatoes.

The procedure:
1) Pick a pot
2) Put in seedling mix
3) Choose seeds. The kids chose from seeds donated by Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange, Renee's, High Mowing Seeds and Turtle Tree.
4) Plant seed twice its diameter.
5) Water gently


At home:
1) Water so soil and pot are wet
2) Place on plate or in bowl to keep bottom moist and protect counter,
3) Cover with saran wrap if wished to speed up germination. Remove wrap upon germination
4) Keep in warm spot. When germinated, keep in bright area.
5) Transplant when 3 sets of leaves. Move to larger pots before if plants are too crowded and all have germinated.
 6) Harden off before planting outside, i.e, put seedlings outside for a few hours each day for about 4 days-place in shade-this gets them used to their new environment.
7) Before planting, cut off bottom and any of pot above soil. Plant pot at level of soil or just underneath so all of pot is covered. Cutting off  bottom will allow roots to grow down.
8) If using egg cartons, make large hole in bottom before planting.

Another alternative: plant pot directly in ground or larger pot before seeds germinate. If doing so, cut off bottom. Make sure to keep seeds moist.


They also planted some onion seeds in the 4th grade pizza garden.