Plant Depth

 Seeds generally come with planting directions that dictate how deep each seed should be
planted. Allow students to determine whether there is a best depth for seed planting. Ask
students how deep they think seeds should be planted, then test to see which student selected an
answer closest to the correct one.

1.Use an old aquarium or other glass-walled container.

2.Fill it with potting soil.
3.Using a thin dowel, create three holes that run down the side of the container.
4.Make one hole 1 inch deep, the next one 6 inches deep and the third one 1 foot deep.
5.Drop bean seeds into each hole, and fill the holes with soil.
6.Water the glass container, and record observations of the seeds daily.

Make note of when each seed germinates and when the growing plant breaks the soil. Continue
the experiment for several months so that students can see whether the depth of the seed has a
long-term impact on the health of the plant.