Can We Talk 2

Teaching Children To Grow Things

         I have an idea for our Community Celebration that my church throws the first Sunday of October. Actually, I have several, but we need to plan early. This one involves letting children plant chive seeds in a cup they take home. I will get several big bags of potting soil and biodegradable drinking cups. I'll have to have small bags or boxes to hold the cup for their ride home to catch spilt dirt and seeds.

         I will transfer the dirt to a big plastic storage bin. I'll put out hand shovels and encourage the kids to fill their own cups about 2/3 full. Of course, I'll have to write their names on the cups before using. Older kids can help themselves. Then we go to one side and scatter a pinch of chive seeds. Parsley will also do. They both grow fast and can be harvested as soon as they grow. I'll have a bucket of water and a spoon. They only need to sprinkle on a little water to moisten the seeds. They can add more at home as the soil dries out, but not soaking the cup, at least not until they have a lot of plants. At that point, the plant can be transplanted to a larger, sturdier pot.

         The parsley will be a little showier and be more useful, but it won't expand or endure. Chives, if properly transplanted, will last for years. Leave it on the porch, let the snow and ice cover it. It will look dead, but in the spring, the green will sprout up again. Plus, when it grows to maturity in the larger pot, it will develop purple flowers. You can get a garlicky variety with a white flower, but my experience is with the purple variety. Don't eat the bloom, no matter what you read. The books will tell you to add it to salads or soups or eat it raw. I'm telling you from experience this pretty flower is red hot and will burn your mouth and make you regret the experiment. The tender green blade is mild, only a vague onion flavor.

         I will tell the kids and listening parents to cut the chives, gently rinse and drain on paper towels. You can cut up and put on baked potatoes or casseroles. It's best to only use as a topping or in a recipe. It will not fry like onion because it is too delicate.

         This will give them something to watch grow, something to care for, and maybe find useful. If they sit still long enough, I can tell them about sunlight, warmth, water and light make things grow.