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seed growing investigation

Seed Growing Investigation

Plants need sunlight and water to grow, but what happens if they don’t get one of these important things? Find out by conducting this fun seed growing experiment

children planting crops

Have fun planting seeds in different pots and watch how they grow (or don’t grow!)

Here are the growing conditions for each plant pot:

  1. The first seed should be given water and sunlight
  2. The second seed should be given water, but no sunlight
  3. The third seed should be given sunlight, but no water
  4. The fourth seed should be given no water or sunlight
seed growing Investigation materials

For this experiment, you’ll need:

  • A pack of seeds
  • Seed compost
  • 4 small plant pots or clear plastic cups
  • Sticky labels (or paper and sticky tape)
seed growing result sheet

Before you begin the experiment, use the recording sheet to note down your predictions. What do you think will happen to the seeds that don’t get any water or sunlight? Which plant do you think will grow best? You can also use this sheet to record the results and see if you were correct

Download here

It’s also a good idea to make labels for each of your plant pots. Use the sticky labels (or paper and tape) to write what each pot won't have. For example, one label might say "No Water", and another might say "No Sunlight". Stick the labels on the pots so you remember which is which!

seeds

Now, it’s time to get planting!

  1. If you’re using plastic cups as your plant pots, ask a grown-up to poke a few small holes in the bottom of each pot for drainage

  2. Fill each pot to the top with seed compost

  3. Make a small hole in the centre of the compost, about the depth of your thumb. Carefully pop one seed into each hole. Gently cover the seed up with compost

  4. Don't forget to add your labels!

  5. Check on your plants every day. See if you can notice any changes. Is one plant growing faster than the others? Does one look a little unhappy? Use the recording sheet to note down your findings

We hope you had fun investigating what plants need to grow! Don’t forget to take photos of how your plants turned out and tag us using #DobbiesLittleSeedlings

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