GrowingGreat

10/02/2025

GrowingGreat in the news!

Growing Great teaches nutrition

01/20/2025

The Challenge:
To companion plant vegetables and herbs to make a pizza sauce 🍕

You will need: 3 large recycled containers with drainage holes in the bottom, soil, tomato,
1⁄2 inch of an onion cut off at the root end, basil, parsley, oregano (seeds or
seedlings), water, spoon, plastic wrap, tape, fork

1. Fill the containers with soil.
2. In the largest container, make three holes 1⁄4 inch deep in the soil.
Drop three tomato seeds in the holes and gently cover with soil.
Then plant several basil seeds nearby, 1⁄2 inch deep.
3. In a second container, plant several parsley and oregano seeds,
1⁄2 inch deep.
4. In a third container, place the onion, root side down, and cover it
with soil.
5. Lightly water each container using a spray bottle or spoon.
6. Cover each container with plastic wrap and secure using tape. Use
the fork to poke a few holes in the plastic wrap to allow air to flow.
7. Place the pots next to each other in a sunny place like a windowsill.
8. After 1-2 weeks, your seeds will sprout. Remove the plastic wrap and
water when the soil feels dry.
9. When the tomatoes have fully formed, harvest them and the herbs!

01/17/2025

Fun facts about food! 🍒🍎🍅🌶

Did you know? Most red or purple fruits and vegetables contain pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments allow these fruits and vegetables to change color depending on whether they are exposed to an acidic or a basic environment. Grape, cranberry and
mixed berry juices all contain anthocyanins and can be used as pH indicators in your kitchen. Anthocyanins also help promote healthy brains, hearts and bodies. Next time you
are at the grocery store count how many red or purple fruits and vegetables you can find!

01/15/2025

Thanks to our friends at for this one!

You will need:
For the adult: 1 red or purple cabbage, large bowl filled with hot water, sharp knife, strainer
For the children: 5 clear plastic cups, 1⁄4 cup measure,
measuring spoons, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp milk, 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 tbsp water, permanent marker
1. Prep cabbage juice pH indicator before doing activity:
Finely chop one quarter of the cabbage and place into
a bowl. Fill the bowl with hot water and allow cabbage to
soak for 15 minutes, then strain the liquid into a jar.
2. Fill five clear cups with 1⁄4 cup of cabbage liquid each.
3. Use the marker to label each cup with a different
substance (lemon juice, vinegar, milk, baking soda).
Label the 5th cup of cabbage juice “control” and don’t
add anything to it.
4. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice to the cup labeled “lemon juice.”
Repeat for the cups labeled “vinegar,” “milk,” and
“baking soda.”
5. Compare the color of each solution to the chart below to determine its pH.

01/13/2025

We are heartbroken over the fires that have burned through so much of the city we love. Thank you to our first responders for working so tirelessly to keep us safe. 💔

01/11/2025

Science Discoveries!

Flowers play an important role in a plant’s life cycle. At the base of a flower is a part called the o***y which contains small organs, called ovules. When a flower is pollinated, the pollen travels down a tube-like part of the flower, called the style, and into the o***y. Then, the o***y develops into a fruit and the ovules develop into the seeds of that fruit. These seeds, once mature, can grow and develop into the same type of plant they came from.

01/10/2025

Fun facts about food!

Did you know that some flowers can be eaten? In fact, the word “floriphagia” means eating flowers as food. Many edible flowers, including roses, violets and nasturtium, can offer Vitamin A, Vitamin C, minerals and fiber. Flowers can also add beautiful colors to salads and other meals. However, not all flowers can be eaten, and some are toxic to humans. Be sure to always check with a trusted adult before eating anything from a garden space. (Source: Nutritional content, functional properties and conservation of edible flowers, National Library of Medicine)

01/06/2025

This activity was created with our friends at the Saint Louis Science Center.

You Will Need:
Cardboard cut into squares or rectangles; colored markers; sharpened pencil; scissors; variety of natural materials.
Draw a vase shape on your cardboard and decorate it with patterns and colors.

With the help of an adult, use the sharpened pencil to carefully poke 5-10 holes through the cardboard above the vase drawing. Each hole will hold a piece of your bouquet.
What Do You Think?
Notice how each plant looks, smells and feels. Do they remind you of anything? How are the plants in your bouquet similar or different? What plant parts can you find in your bouquet? How many stems, leaves and flowers do you count? How did your nature walk make you feel? Why?

12/30/2024

Tomorrow is the last day to vote for us! With every eligible purchase, you’ll earn votes that translate into grant funding for our programs. The deadline for voting is December 31st–as in, tomorrow!

Thank you for your support! 🙏

12/28/2024

Did you know? Wheat grows from seeds on a farm, just like vegetables do.

When you soften wheat berries in water and keep them damp, they will sprout. You can see their tiny white roots and stems. Flour is made by grinding wheat berries. Before we had factories, this was done by rubbing the grains between two stones. Wheat is a grain — an important part of MyPlate, the guide for helping children make healthy food choices. Children need a colorful diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy/dairy substitutes to grow up healthy.

12/26/2024

This is a great project for parents and kids to try at home over the holiday break!

Parent Preparation: Buy one cup of wheat berries in the bulk grain section of the grocery store or online. Soak ½ cup wheat berries in water overnight; drain. Keep the other 1/2 cup dry.

You Will Need: paper plates, wheat berries (1/2 cup soaked, 1⁄2 cup dry), ½ whole wheat flour, rock, magnifiers (optional), whole wheat bread

1. Give children a plate, 1/2 tsp soaked wheat berries,1/2 tsp dry berries,1/2 tsp our, and a magnifier. Discuss: What do you notice about all these things on your plate? Observe how the berries and flour are different.
2. Predict what will happen if you crush the wheat berries. Put 2 Tbsp dry berries on a plate and try crushing them with the rock, carefully so they don’t fly off the plate.
3. Compare the soaked wheat berries to the flour to the crushed berries to the whole wheat bread. Discuss the steps it takes to get from wheat growing in the ground on a farm to the bread you eat.
4. Continue to rinse the soaked wheat berries every day for 3 days and observe how they change.

12/26/2024

Happy Holidays from our tables to yours!