Hydroponic gardening is gardening using water with nutrients added instead of using soil. Hydroponic gardening for kids can be as simple as starting cuttings like coleus or African Violets, other easy-to-root plants in water. It can be as complicated as a greenhouse full of tomatoes and other vegetables hanging from the beams. There are many good hydroponic gardening books on the market. I will be reading some and adapting them for use with kids. If there are some already written for children, I will review them and make recommendations.
For your first hydroponic project for kids, take a plastic cup or a jelly jar, or something similar that you will not want ot use to drink from in the future. Fill the jar to the top with water, then cover the jar with saran wrap. Place a rubber band around the jar to keep the saran wrap tight. Poke a hole in the wrap, just big enough to insert a cutting of your choosen plant. When the cutting is rooted, transfer it gently to a potting soil mix in a container. This is a simple and cheap childrens project that the children can watch progress everyday.
Indoor Hydroponic Blueberry Tree #3
|
Urban gardens provide a great method grow your own food and preserve the environment. Plus, they’re super fun. Who doesn’t like watching giant vegetables growing in your tiny living space?