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Indoor Gardening for Kids

Way to Grow : Episode WTG-212 -- More Projects »
Author Felder Rushing shares some great indoor gardening projects for kids. The first is a "rootin' tootin' potato."

Sprouting Sweet Potato

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Figure A

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Figure B

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Figure C

1. Stick toothpicks around the center of the sweet potato (figure A).
2. Place half of the sweet potato in a cup of water so that the toothpicks hold the potato in place (figure B).
3. Set the potato in the cup on a windowsill where it will get plenty of sunlight to grow roots from the base.
4. After a while, the sweet potato will sprout stems from the top, and you can plant it in the garden during the spring or early summer.

  • Other easy to grow plants include ornamental sweet potato varieties as well as coleus, which can be grown from a cutting in a container of water.

  • A planter with a clear plastic window allows kids to see plant roots in action (figure C).

    Potato Flower Arrangement

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    Figure D
    This fun potato planter can be filled with kids' favorite flowers.

    1. Cut about 1/4 of the potato off along its side so it rests flat on a table surface.
    2. Poke straws into the potato (figure D).
    3. Place flowers in a variety of colors, textures, and heights in the straws. Be sure to mix tall spiky flowers with low-growing round flowers.
    4. Fill the straws with water for a unique flower arrangement.

    Resources
    The New Junior Garden Book
    by Felder Rushing (ISBN: 0696208490)
    Better Homes & Gardens Books, (March 1999)
    Order this title.
    Also in this Episode
    Way to Grow : Episode WTG-212
    •Brighter, Healthier Lawns
    •Indoor Gardening for Kids
    •Favorite Fragrant Plants
    •Light for Tomatoes
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