Starter Plants
The best plants for engaging children are the ones that can be started outside and grown quickly. Consult The American Horticultural Society to find out which horticultural zone you're in; this will tell you when you should begin planting in your area.
- Carrots
Sow seeds in rows before the final frost; they take up to 21 days to germinate. When sprouts appear, thin them so the plants are one to two inches apart. Weed regularly for three weeks.
- Beets
After the final frost, soak seeds for an hour in warm water before planting. When sprouts are two inches high, thin them so they are three inches apart. Harvest at 40 to 50 days.
- Baby Lettuce
Seed in rows as soon as you can work the soil, before the final frost. Seeds sprout within five to seven days. Cut the leaves back with scissors for multiple harvests in spring.
- Sunflowers
For best results, sow seeds four to five inches apart after the final frost. They sprout within seven days. After an initial weeding period, sunflowers require very little maintenance.
