Watching Seeds Grow

Sprout Seeds in a Gass Jar to Watch Them Grow

Oct 30, 2006 Elece Hollis

For a close-up view of how roots, stems and leaves form from a seed follow these simple instructions.

To sprout seeds in a jar so children can watch the process, try this project.

What you need:

Paper towels
Dried beans (like mung, lima or pinto beans.)
A large glass jar preferably without markings
Water

What you do:

Soak the beans in water for overnight before starting (or for at least three hours).
Line the jar with paper towels.
Place the bean or seeds between the glass and the paper towels so that you can see them easily.
Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the jar.
Place your jar in a sunny window.
Add more water every day.

As a variation and to learn more about sprouting seeds, try preparing two jars and placing one in a sunny place and one in a dark room. Water them both and observe what happens to the seeds. How do they differ?

You may also want to try a jar with different types of beans and seeds and watching the rates of growth. Some you might try are alfalfa seeds, flax seeds, peas, wheat berries, lentils, cabbage seeds or radish seeds.

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