Crop Plants: Pre-Challenge Information

I will be posting the first crop plant challenge on Friday, but I wanted to share some preliminary information so you can be prepared to begin ASAP.

Crop Plants Topics to be Discussed
Clover
Beans
Corn/Maize
Cotton
Strawberry
Pumpkin
Tomato

For many of the challenges it will be helpful to have access to actual seeds and/or plants that we will be discussing.

1. I would suggest having as many of the following seeds on hand as you can:
Green bean (Pick a variety that will grow in your area-at least growing enough to have true leaves.)
Pumpkin (Check "time to harvest" information on the seed packet and choose one that has the least amount of days to harvest.)
Corn (Again, choose a variety that you can grow in your area if possible.)
Clover (If you can purchase some at a local feed store or nursery, give this a try as well.)

2. In addition, you will want to reserve a spot in your garden to sow the larger seeds like pumpkin and corn. You can plant any of the seeds in a pot or we sometimes use milk jugs that we have cut the tops off and filled with soil. If you use a milk jug or a coffee can, make sure to punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

Our family prefers to purchase potting soil to start our seedlings. This can be found at any garden nursery...we use Home Depot.

3. If you want to have an additional plant to observe and you can still find a seedling at the garden nursery, choose a tomato plant to include in your garden. I have a couple "patio tomatoes" growing in pots on my deck and you may find something similar at your local nursery.

Our local farmer's market is also a great source for seedlings and potted plants. Check your local area to see if you have a farmer's market to visit during these challenges.

You may think it is too late in the summer to start pumpkins or corn but you should have enough time if you get them started right away.

This list will give you a rough idea of what you will need for each challenge. If you can't do all seven of the plants in person, that is fine. Try to prepare as many as you can.

This list is just to give you an overview...you will be given specific instructions in each week's challenge. If this overwhelms you, just ignore it!

• Clover-Keep an eye out for clover during your normal weekly errands. Perhaps at a near-by park at the baseball field or near a pasture if you live in farm country.
• Beans-We will be sprouting seeds and you can plant a few seeds in pots as well.
• Corn- We will be using the Handbook of Nature Study's lesson on observing an ear of corn.
• Cotton- This one has me stumped. If you have any idea how to make this one hands-on for those of us who do not live in cotton growing states, please email me! Can we look at cotton balls?
  
• Strawberries- If all else fails and you can't find a strawberry plant to observe, we will be buying strawberries from the store and using those for observations. Yum.
• Pumpkins- These are the easiest of plants to grow. If you get them started right away, you should be able to at least get to the flowering stage by the end of the summer. The challenge will also suggest that you purchase a pumpkin to cut open and observe using the suggestions in the Handbook of Nature Study. I realize that when we get to this challenge it will be a little early but you can save the pumpkin observation until you have access to a real pumpkin.
• Tomato - Try to plant a seedling from the garden nursery in a pot so when we get to this challenge you will have your very own "lab" tomato to observe. We will also be purchasing tomatoes, observing them, and dissecting them for this challenge.

Let me know if you have any questions about the crop plant challenges. I am still working them out and have plenty of room for flexibility.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom