Free from the schedule or should I say 'cycle' of school, homework , dinner, sleep- Summer is  a time for research.  No, not the kind of research thats done during the school year- for a specific project or paper. Its  'nature' research brought on by extra time and curiosity.  My twin 7 yr olds and their 11 yr old sister love to plant seeds. Especially ones that come right out of their mouth after eating a piece of fruit.

It started with Miriam, my oldest, putting an orange seed in an old discarded pot  with some leftover potting soil, about 2 summers ago.  Her and her brothers were amazed to see it sprout. She lovingly watered that plant and after a few transplants  to larger pots we decided to put it into the ground.  That seedling is now almost 2 feet  tall with a strong woody trunk. Her  brothers not to be outdone  by their sister have potted several seeds as well.

They have learned-cherry seeds never seem to sprout,  while apple seeds sprout quickly only to die quickly. They are also learning just like pets, their plants are living and need to be cared for. My younger twin learned this after he was so proud of his sunflower seed that was growing.  It shot up and bloomed a bright yellow and brown flower, that just as quickly dried up in the florida heat , when he forgot to water it for a few days.