OBJECTIVE

Students will understand that plants go dormant in the winter, similar to how animals hibernate. They will plant garlic and/or flower bulbs that will rest in the ground all winter and start growing in early Spring.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What season is it and what is growing in our garden right now? Is there anything we can plant in the garden right now?

MATERIALS NEEDED

Trowels
Compost
Garlic and/or bulbs

PROCEDURE

Introduction
Begin with an inquiry about the season and observations about nature’s current cycle. Plants are going dormant for the winter, and will wake up again in the Spring. We will plant our bulbs, which will rest in the ground over winter and start growing in early Spring.

Activity
Show them the garlic bulbs and allow them to hold them. What do they notice? See if they can find the roots (also know as feet or bottom) and arms (also known as the top). Ask them to point on their garlic clove. Have them think about which way the bulb should be planted, feet down or feet up?
Have students dig straight down. Add a little compost into their planting hole. As you plant the bulbs, make sure the children understand the importance of these plants living underground through the cold winter and have them “tuck them in”.

Wrap up/Assessment
Garlic will send up little shoots before it goes completely dormant. Have students cover it with a layer of seaweed or straw to protect it over the winter.

FOLLOW UP & EXTENSIONS

Plant bulbs inside to grow over the winter. Paperwhites and narcissus are great for this. Measure the garlic in the early spring when it begins to sprout.