Science Communication, Group P

Activity 6

Grow something!

Activities

1. Plant a seedling.
   Choose one of the seedlings provided and plant it in the bottom part of a 2 l PET plastic bottle. Before you put the potting soil into the bottle, make 2-3 small holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain.
    
2. Make your own mini-greenhouse using a 2 l PET bottle. Sow a few seeds, wait for them to germinate and once they are a bit bigger transfer each seedling to his own container or, if you can, plant them outside in your garden.
   Note: Radish is best sown in situ meaning not transplanted.
    
3. Record the growth of your vegetables and tell us all about their progress on your blog. If you can, take photographs occasionally.
    
   
4. Have a looK at Google's doodle for Earth Day, 22 April 2012
   http://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2012
    

Photos: Helga Nordhoff

Seedlings provided

Sweet Basil	Red Oakleaf lettuce	Swiss Chard	Cherry Tomato

Seeds to sow - to be updated

	Radish: Cherry Belle Raphanus sativus	Beans: Contender Phaseolus vulgaris	Beans: Star 2054 Phaseolus vulgaris	Garden Cress: Lepidum sativum
Position	Sun	Sun	Sun	Sun, semi-shade
Sowing Depth	10 mm don't transplant	30 mm	30 mm	2 mm
Spacing	5 x 15 cm	7 x 50 cm	7 x 50 cm	1 x 1 cm
Germination	5-10 days	7-10 days	7-10 days	3 days
	Keep soil moist during germination.
Days to harvest	20-25 days	50-60 days	50-60 days	7-14 days
Images from: www.ballstraathof.co.za/

References & Resources

• Ball Straathof. In your Garden. Viewed online on 29 August 2012 at: http://www.ballstraathof.co.za/
• Michelle & Riaan Garforth-Venter. May 2011. the green line. LAPA Publishers
• Google. 22 April 2012. Earth Day. Viewed online on 22 April 2012 at:
  www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2012
• Wikipedia.