Little Sprouts

Figure A

Radish initials

1. Start with a decorative container lined with plastic. Add a layer of potting soil in the bottom, filling in to the edge.

2. Create the initial you want to grow by placing toothpicks in the soil in the desired pattern (figure A).

3. Sprinkle radish seeds along the toothpick lines. Be generous with the seeds.

4. Fill in the rest of the planter with soil. Remove the toothpicks and tamp the soil.

5. Use a spray bottle to moisten the soil. Place in a bright sunny spot and the seeds will germinate in two to three days.

Figure B

Spud garden

1. Start with a sprouted potato. Using a sharp knife, cut off the end that has sprouted (figure B), making diagonal cuts around the eyes (sprouts). These eyes will actually become the new potatoes.

2. Fill a planter with potting soil and place the potato piece into the soil, with the sprouted eyes facing down. Cover the potato piece completely with soil.

3. Place the container in a bright light and water thoroughly. Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater. A potato should be harvestable in two to three months.

A carrot garden, here in three stages of growth, is an easy project in which children can watch a carrot top come to life.

Carrot garden

1. Cut the end off two or three carrots and place cut end on a moist paper towel. Or, put toothpicks in the sides of the carrot and suspend in a glass of water (figure C).

2. Green growth will sprout from the top of the carrot.

Letting children nurture a small container garden is a wonderful way to teach them patience and responsibility.

Container garden

Container gardens can be grown year-round, regardless of weather or space. And this garden depends on fresh cuttings that you'll stick directly into the potting soil. The best plants to use for cuttings are those that don't need to be pre-sprouted and that have an established root system. Try geraniums, succulents and cacti. Simply break off a piece of the plant and plant it directly into the soil.

1. Fill a shallow container with moist potting soil (These don't have to be terra-cotta pots. They can be "found" containers such as bowls and baskets, lined with plastic.)
2. Position the plant stems deeply enough so they are supported.
3. Finish with decorative stones.
4. Water regularly. If you choose to use a container that doesn't have a drainage hole, however, be sure not to overwater

Natural materials arranged on light-sensitive photo paper create lasting images.

Sun printing

Photo paper can permanently capture the beauty of plants. Kids can combine bits of natural material such as flowers, twigs and leaves, with odds and ends from their bedroom such as marbles and keys, to make a collage on paper. They'll also be fascinated to see how the sun changes the paper.

1. First, practice the arrangement on a paper towel to get the placement of each item just right.

2. Take the photo paper out of the package and place the objects on it.

3. Expose the paper either to direct sunlight at a window or under a very powerful light. Leave the objects on the paper for a good seven minutes. If the day is cloudy, it may take longer for the images to develop.

4. When the shadow of the images changes color, it's time to submerge the paper in tepid water for two minutes. Lift out and air dry.

5. The paper can now be applied to a variety of projects such as book covers and stationery. Or, you can just frame and hang.

Garden classes for kids

While your kids enjoy these projects, they're also learning to care about plants and to broaden that care to world ecology and preservation. The best projects are those that produce quick results, such as sun printing and container gardening, says Michael Fritzen, program coordinator at the Huntingdon Gardens in San Moreno, Calif.

"If they're not aware, they won't care," he explains. These gardening experiences also teach patience, caring, compassion, observational skills and responsibility — skills that can be used later in life.