Citrus Fest: A Food Inquiry
"Each year my fourth and fifth graders brainstorm a variety of plant foods, then choose one type as a focus for in-depth investigations," reports Brighton, MA, teacher Rita Holder. "This year, citrus...
View ArticleDyeing to Get Started
Colors from plants have been used throughout history to enhance people's lives -- for decorating animal skins, fabrics, crafts, hair and bodies. They've been used to distinguish serf from master and to...
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pH: The Acid Test
The pH of the nutrient solution is an important factor in hydroponics. It is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity on a scale from 1 to 14, with 1 being very acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being...
View ArticleMaking Vegetable Dyes
Question: I've heard that you can dye eggs using plant materials from the garden. My kids would love this. How do we go about it?read more
View ArticleExploring Sciences in the Garden
Question: What sciences can we explore in the garden other than botany and environmental education? read more
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Dyeing to Find Out
Extracting Nature's ColorsNature presents an incredible visual rainbow. For centuries, people have tried to capture these natural hues for decorating animal skins, fabrics, crafts, hair, and bodies....
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Curriculum Connections
Getting Pigments to Hang On Finessing Fibers It's generally easier to dye animal fibers like wool and silk than plant-based fibers like cotton or linen. The scale-like protein molecules in wool fibers...
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Curriculum Connections - Dried Flower Creations
PotpourriFlowers and herbs, long appreciated for their beauty, symbolism, and medicinal uses, have also been employed to conceal offensive odors! In 18th century Europe and colonial America, fresh...
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Preserving the School Garden Harvest
Your school garden has fulfilled its promise of plenty, and the harvest has begun. Perhaps you're celebrating abundance by feasting on your delicious produce. But what happens when the harvest and...
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