Garbage Gardens

Don't throw out all those kitchen scraps!
Help your child learn about plants by helping them create their own garbage gardens:
Root Top Forest  Avocado Tree  Citrus Trees  Patient Pineapple

1. Root Top Forest Carrot, turnip, beet and parsnip tops can grow into a Root Top Forest. Cut the top one inch off of a carrot or other root vegetable and place in a shallow container. Add enough water to make the bottoms wet. Place in a bright location out of direct sun. Leaves will quickly emerge from the tops. Add water as needed to keep the cut surfaces covered.
   
   
2. Avocado Tree Save that avocado pit after making guacamole to grow into an avocado tree. Wash the seed off and let it dry for two days. Push toothpicks into the seed around the center and balance on a glass of water. The pointed end of the seed should be on top with the bottom half covered with water. After the seed has rooted you may plant it in potting soil in a pot leaving the top of the seed exposed. Place on a sunny windowsill and keep watered. It may take several weeks for your avocado tree to grow. Once your tree is 8 or 9 inches tall, encourage it to branch by cutting off the top third of the plant.
   
   
3. Citrus Trees Seeds from citrus fruits such as lemon, lime or orange may be saved for planting. Do not let the seed dry out. Soak the seed for a day or two and then plant one-half inch deep in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Water and place pot in a plastic bag. Set in a bright warm spot out of direct sunlight. Open the bag occasionally to check for germination and provide for air circulation. If you're growing green slime, scrape it off and leave the bag open until the soil drys out a little. After seeds have sprouted (about one month) remove the plastic bag and place pot on a sunny windowsill.
   NOTE: You can also grow seeds of cool-climate trees such as apple and pear if you trick them with a fake winter. Sow seeds in a small amount of moistened soilless potting mix in a ziplock bag. Place in the back of the refrigerator for two to three months. Don't forget about them. It is a good idea to mark your calendar when to take them out. After the cold treatment you may plant as with the citrus seeds.
   
   
4. A Patient Pineapple To grow a pineapple plant cut off the top of a ripe pineapple with an inch of fruit remaining. Let it dry for a day or two, then plant it in a pot filled with potting soil mixed with sand. Completely cover the fruit portion leaving the pineapple leaves showing. Mist and set in a bright warm spot. Pineapple is a bromeliad which means it takes in water through it's leaves. Mist or water right into the leaf whorl. It takes patience to grow a pineapple because you may not see new growth for several months. To induce a pineapple plant to bloom try placing it in a plastic bag for several days with a few pieces of cut apple. The ethylene gas given off by the apple may induce the plant to flower.
   

[ Home Page] [ Our Site At A Glance] [ Little Sprouts]

Have any questions? Ask Gertie