Chives & Bean Plant

Somewhat recently, our local children's museum had a small project in their art room consisting of a bean seed, cup, and soil.  I couldn't believe I had forgotten about this simple, activity for all ages!  What a great opportunity to teach C about how to plant, water, and wait patiently for plants to grow!  Typically, in the summer C helps me plant flowers we purchase from a store that are already grown.  So, this was a new concept to him and he loved it.

C knocked over the cup around day 12, so I saw that the plant was, indeed growing as I was starting to wonder.  Typical germination is around 7 days, however it's still spring here (winter still really as I write this in early May) so the plant has been getting low level light.  We planted two seeds and I was hoping one would grow- indeed it did!  I replanted it and it survived being thrown onto the floor!

 Bean Plant- 14 days to germination

15 days

C thought it was neat that the plant grew so much in one day and that it was lifting some of the soil as it grew.

I plan to discuss the roots with C.  We've talked about roots before and how they help plants and allow them to survive, but it's a hard concept to explain and understand if you can't see them.  Now we can!


I also obtained a tasty new recipe from my friend that uses fresh chives.  I was having a hard time finding them in the store (I think there was a town run on chives!), so I decided to pick up some seeds and grow my own.  I of course had C help with the planting of these as well.  We placed the chives in C's room as it's a great place for sunlight and I knew we'd remember to check them every day.

Chives- 9 days to germination

If you look really close you can see a couple of chives peeking through the soil.  C was so excited and told me that a bunch will come up, we just have to wait patiently.

11 days

12 days

12 days

15 days

They really began to grow and C also told me that they looked like grass.  

I can't wait for them to grow long so we can cut them and put them in our recipe!

Remember, everything can be used as a learning tool.  Ask your child what colors they see, what is happening.  Ask about the roots and the plant itself.  If they don't know, tell them and they will learn to recognize what they are seeing.