Celery Plant Experiment

3/8/2014

After our color-changing celery experiment and celery snack, we still had the celery stump left over. But no worries. I had something in mind for that, too!

Using about 3 inches of the base of the celery, we put it in water and placed it in the window, where it would get lots of sun. Then we waited to see what would grow. (Kay guessed a tree.)

The first day, Kay would run to check it every few minutes. "Nope, hasn't grown yet," she'd tell me, all disappointed, when it hadn't sprouted up within half an hour.

If took almost a week before there was any sign that this wasn't a total failure. A week is a *very* long time in preschool time. I didn't point it out to her either, but waited until she found it on her own. When she spotted the small growth, all her excitement in the project was reignited.
"It's growing! It's really growing!"

Growing experiment for preschoolers with celery

After that, it grew quickly and was noticeably larger each morning. We changed the water every 3 days or so, and sprayed the leaves with a spray bottle every other day or so.

Science for Preschoolers celery growing plants

After about 3 weeks, it didn't seem to be doing any more growing, so I gently suggested it might be time to get rid of it. I expected an argument. I got none.
"Okay," she shrugged.

Celery Plant Experiment for preschoolers collage

But she had a lot of fun watching the leaves grow, expecting it to grow into a tree (spoiler alert: it didn't). Now we're ready to get planting in the garden. If only the weather were ready with us!

Every Saturday, a group of bloggers shares some ideas for exploring science with young children. Check out what the co-hosts have been up to:

Where Does it Stop? {Stir the Wonder}

3 Activities for Exploring the Color Green {Little Bins for Little Hands}

Checklist and Printables for Gardening with Kids {Lemon Lime Adventures}