Consider addition of a small plot devoted to native and polynesian introduced plants. Recommendations: Native - Mamaki primary food of the Kamehameha butterfly Palapalai fern used for decoration for hula Polynesian introduced - Dry land Taro Ipu gourds used for dance Teaches history, environmental concern, conservation

I'll agree that sowing seeds is as easy and rewarding an activity as the kids can do in a short amount of time. You can substitute styrofoam cups for the newspaper pots but they'll need a couple of small holes put in the base for drainage, then you can write on the side o the cup with a ball point pen to mark the cups. I like the newspaper pot idea too....but if you have some kids who may not be as dextrous as others, then the cups will be a good and more simple route. Easy and fast seeds are zinnias, marigolds, squash, cukes, sunflowers, bachelor buttons, and morning glories. T

I finiished my Master Garden classes last april. since then, I have volunteered for the Farm Show, given a talk to a garden club twice. I am teaching a Montessori kindergarden class once a week. There are 3 groups of about 8 or 10 Each one takes about 15 minutes as their attention span is 3 minutes tops. I couldn't find many materials at our office geared to that age so I am making my own manual. I did leaves, winter, hibernation, spring, snow, planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, foods for the pilgrims that the indians taught them to grow. pumpkins. I would be glad to send you some of my lessons if you are interested. I am running out of ideas. We have a couple of plant sales and I help with them. i haven't volunteered for the Green Line yet, but it is a good learning experience as you are always getting questions that you don't quite know the anwer to and must look it up.

Oh, that sounds like so much fun. I'm sure the kids loved it, especially filling their containers with dirt and watering them. Do they live close to you? Will they get to check the containers for sprouts every day? Martha