Kids Gardening Activity – Growing Carrot Tops | Union County Moms

This is a fun activity for kids to learn about gardening and to experience the excitement when they see the carrot top growing! It is a super simple experiment that has a high success rate. Be sure to warn your children that the carrot part will not grow, just the top green part! See the list below for the ways to get the ferns on the top of the carrot to grow. Happy Gardening!

Water Method
This is the method we chose to do. From a grocery store carrot, cut the top off with about one inch of root. Stick a toothpick into either side of the carrot stump and balance it on top of a small cup. Fill the cup with water until it is barely touching the bottom of the stump. Fill the glass with water up to and barely touching the bottom edge of the stump. Set the glass in a light, but not sunny window. Add water to keep it touching the edge and watch the roots sprout. You’re growing carrots from carrots in a glass!

Pie Plate Method
The next method to grow carrot tops from carrots involves a glass or ceramic pie plate and marbles. Fill the plate with a single layer of marbles and set the one-inch stubs of the veggie right on top. You’re still going to grow carrots in water, but the level is determined by the tops of the marbles. It’s easier for kids to judge. You can sprout six or seven stumps when sprouting carrot tops this way. When planted together in a single pot, they’ll make a spectacular display.

Newspaper Method
Lastly, you can us any type of plate and several layers of newspaper for sprouting carrot tops. Lay the newspaper on the bottom of the plate and soak the newspaper well. There should be no standing water. Set your pieces of carrot tops on the papers, and in a few days, you’ll see the roots spread. Keep the paper wet. Once the new plants have rooted well, your kids can plant them in soil. The new plants should show growth pretty quickly and your lucky little gardeners will be delighted with their reward.

This article was adapted from Gardening Know How

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