Planting Bulbs Fun with Children

  

As You Prepare for Winter -- Plant!!

Preparing for winter is another opportunity to teach young children science, geography, and economics. Families can plant flower bulbs that will seem like magic to little ones and teach valuable skills.

Planting Together

   Explain that you are planting flowers to surprise everyone in the spring.  Walk around the yard and discuss where flower bulbs could be planted based on good soil, water, sunshine and visibility through windows.

   Shop together for bulb varieties like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, narcissus, crocus, and alliums. Discuss colors and check for healthy and fresh bulbs. Discuss that wild animals like to eat bulbs and flowers. If you have many animals, you might want to stick to daffodils and narcissus. Squirrels and chipmunks may also move bulbs around. 

  Make a big deal of reading the planting directions on the back of the package out loud. Read the steps several times out loud and plan the planting sequence together. 

Follow & Discuss the Directions Fully

 Who will do each step?

   Examine the bulbs and notice texture and size.  Explain there is a small plant inside that stays cool all winter and then will grow when the temperature gets warmer. Where is the pointed side of the bulb that must face up?  What will come from the pointed side? (stem) What will come from the round bottom side? (roots)

  Discuss and create a planting assembly line. Make a single hole for each, large circle, or a trench five inches deep.  With the pointed side up. Sketch a quick map of the flower types and where they are placed. Cover up with soil and give it a few gentle “love pats”.

  When all of the bulbs are planted, water well and cover with mulch, leaves, or both.  Discuss that the soil, leaves, and snow will keep the bulbs warm just like a blanket.

 Teaching Young Gardeners

Draw a Map of Your Ideal Flower Beds

  Gardening teaches children many skills. Young children learn economics by making a planned purchase and checking out prices and quality of their plants.  Adults can show the value of reading directions, writing a list, and following directions. Children can make a 

geographic map to show how beautiful the yard will be. They learn how plants grow and how animals and humans interact in the environment. Children increase science vocabulary and have quality conversations with adults. Your family may want to volunteer for a community or religious beautification project or read library books about plants and children’s gardens.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
For more science and math STEM adventures go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.