Growing Watermelons

Growing watermelons

Introduction

Show students a handful of watermelon seeds. Ask students what they are.

Review the parts of a plant and talk about the life cycle of a watermelon (seeds, plants, flowers, fruit, seeds).

Have students make a K-W-L chart about growing watermelons.

The Life Cycle

Explain how the life cycle of a plant is a cycle. Use any these resource to illustrate the point:

Have students complete the Life Cycle of a Plant worksheet.

Hands On – Watching watermelon seeds sprout

Beforehand, get the following ready:

10 or so small glass jars, about the size of a pop can (Students will work in small groups of 3-4. Each group will get one jar.) * Remind students of the 3 R’s lesson.
Paper towels
Watermelon seeds
Water

Together as a class:

Give a glass jar to each group of students.
Have each group label their jar with tape.
Line each jar with a couple sheets of paper towels pressed against the glass.
Put 6-8 seeds in the jar between the glass and the paper towel about half way up the glass.
Add about a half inch of water to the jar, which will soak up the paper towel.

Have students monitor their seeds growth, recording their daily observations in their Plant Journal.

Also have them check the water level, adding water whenever the paper towel is beginning to dry.

When seeds have germinated and begun to grow leaves, they can be transplanted into small cups of seeds. (See lesson #2 for container ideas.)

Plants may be sent home with students or kept at school.

When plants are 4-6” inches tall, they can be transplanted outside.

Note: Watermelons need a lot of space. They will not do well in a greenhouse.