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Natural Sponge Gardens
April 27, 2018
We know we cannot plant seeds with closed fists. To sow, we must open our hands.
-Adolfo Perez Esquivel

An affordable and easy-to-accomplish idea for helping children experience the magic of seed growth is to create a natural sponge garden. Sandra Duncan and Jody Martin explain how in their popular new book, Bringing the Outside In:

"Plant a fast-growing garden on a natural sponge. Soak the natural sponge in water for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently squeeze the excess moisture out of the sponge. After soaking some fast-growing seeds (i.e. mung beans, parsley, grass, mustard) in room temperature water for at least four hours, drop the seeds into the holes of the partially wet sponge. Tie a string around the sponge and hang it up in a moderately sunny spot.

Check the sponge each day to be sure it’s moist – a good responsibility for children and excellent documentation opportunity. On the weekends, give the sponge an extra dose of water or place the sponge in a shallow container with a small amount of water to keep it from drying out."





Bringing the Outside In

Use coupon code OUTSIDE
to get 30% off this title for a limited time

As a support to anyone looking for inspiring activities to engage children’s interests, we are offering the beautiful book, Bringing the Outside In, for 30% off.

This wonderful resource offers nature-based experiences to encourage adults and young children to bring the natural world inside. Each hands-on, open-ended, and sensory oriented experience is designed to spark discovery and imagination; encourage conversations and collaborations; and allow young children to develop a sense of wonder and get to know the natural world.

Enter coupon code OUTSIDE at checkout.

Offer valid through June 4, 2021, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
May not be combined with any other offer.
Not valid on past purchases or bulk discounts.

 

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Comments (1)

Displaying 1 Comment
John Oates · April 27, 2018
England


Why rip a living sponge from the seabed to kill it and show kids how to grow things? Why not use a ball of moss in an upcycled citrus net?



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