OBJECTIVE

Students will act out how plants help each other grow

Students will plant companion plants

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Why do we plant different plants together?

How can plants help other plants?

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Companion plant seedings/seeds like: tomato & basil, tomato and marigolds, squash, beans and corn, dill and cucumber
• Soil and seeding trays if starting seeds
• Watering cans

PROCEDURE

Introduction:

Ask students what it means to be a friend. Explain that humans are not the only living things that have friends. Ask students what other living things have friends. Ask students if they think that plants might have friends.
Pair up students and ask them to stand in a circle. Guide students through this exercise (students may act this out, or share their ideas)

—  If your friend was hot and needed shade, how would you help?

—  If your friend was hungry, and you had some food, what would you do?

—  If your friend was thirsty, and you had some water, what would you do?

—  If your friend needed to lean on something, how would you help? Explain that plants are very good friends to each other, and they do a lot to help each other grow. One of the greatest friendships in the garden is between the tomato and the marigold (or whichever companion plants you choose). Explain what makes them good companion.

Activity:

You will be working with a companion to plant the seeds/transplants together. See how you can best work together to make sure these seeds grow to be happy and healthy plants! Assist students as they plant their plants.

Wrap Up:

Ask students to guess what they think the plants will look like when they grow? How long will it take for them to grow? Ask them to explain some of the ways that tomatoes and marigolds help each other.