Lesson Description:
In this activity children can create a garden hideaway out of sunflowers and morning glory vines.

Eco-Fact: Sunflower seeds can be made into oil, birdseed and a tasty treat for snacking. They have lots of calcium and 11 other important minerals. The great thing is that sunflowers grow fast. They can grow eight to twelve feet tall in only six months!

Procedure: 

1. Begin by measuring a garden area that is four feet by eight feet. Mark the corners of the rectangular plot with Popsicle sticks, rocks or sticks found in the garden. 
2. Once the area is measured, work compost into the soil with a shovel. 
3. The best time to plant the sunflowers is after the last frost in early spring. Plant the seeds one foot apart around the edge of the garden plot, making sure to leave a two foot open space to act as a door.

Adaptations: 
Students can observe and record the growth of their sunflowers and morning glories in a Nature Journal.

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Lesson Type:

• Experiment
• Project

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Sustainability Topic:

• Gardening

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GEF Program Category:

• Green Thumb Challenge

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