Kids Garden News

Explore a Historical Era
Gardens and farms evolved over time as people adopted new practices and grew different crops to match needs and available resources. You can use observations about unique planting patterns and agricultural changes to define different historical eras. Here are a few examples you might study in the garden.

The Incas of South America introduced European explorers to a rainbow of potato varieties.

The Age of Discovery
Global exploration flourished during the 15th and 16th centuries. European sailors set out to find new trade routes to the Far East – a source of valuable plant-based spices such as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. On their way, they “discovered” the New World where Native Americans introduced them to crops such as potatoes, beans, peppers, tomatoes, and squash; in turn, Europeans introduced their own foods – carrots, wheat, rice, oranges, and wine grapes – to the Americas. Seeds of Change Garden Project offers myriad activities to help you tie your garden to this era.

Colonial America
American colonists depended on gardens for survival. They grew food crops, medicinal herbs, and favorite plants that reminded them of the homes they left behind (providing important psychological benefits). Learning how to adapt to American soils and climates was often challenging, but over time the newcomers developed skills and identified crops for consumption and for trade.
Herbs in Colonial Life
Aromatic Lessons
Historic Herbal Theme Gardens
Colonial Williamsburg Gardens

World War II
During World War II there was a major strain on the American food supply because the United States had to ship large quantities of food overseas to feed the troops. At the same time, many farmers and farm workers had joined the military, which led to a decrease in crop production. As a way to overcome this predicament, the government created a Victory Garden campaign to promote home gardening. Americans were encouraged to grow their own food so the government could send more overseas to support the troops. Growing a Victory Garden was a way for people at home to do something that directly fulfilled their patriotic spirit and helped win the war.
The Smithsonian’s Victory Garden
Victory Seed Company
Fruit from Washington
Lesson Plan: GIs, Gals, and Gardens

Introduce a Culture
In addition to changes in gardening and farming over time, each culture also developed unique agricultural practices and traditional crops. Common plants and foods of a culture are a great entry point for gaining understanding and appreciation for a culture as a whole. Students can grow traditional crops of the culture they’re studying, then harvest them to prepare and enjoy special cultural meals.

Three Sisters Garden
Many Native American cultures planted corn, beans, and squash (referred to as the “three sisters”) in mounds. The growth habitat and nutritional content of these three plants complemented each other, creating a successful garden design.
Creating a Three Sisters Garden

Aztec Floating Gardens
The Aztecs of Central America had the challenge of growing crops in poorly drained, swamp-like land. They overcame this agricultural disadvantage by creating gardens that "floated" on the water.
Brief Description of Floating Gardens
Floating Gardens: Early Hydroponics
How to Build a Floating Garden
Floating Gardens Today

“Multicultural Mirror” Garden
Suggest that each of your students investigate their own heritage to create the foundation for a garden that reflects the culinary traditions of their ancestors. You’ll find lots of entry points at Food and Culture and Growing Cultural Understanding.

Explore an Event
Plants have played a major part in historically important events. Try growing these plants helps the event come alive to students.

Tulipmania
Tulips were the focus of a 17th-century economic craze known as Tulipmania. The popularity and scarcity of the tulip bulb led to a frenzy of speculative trading in the Netherlands – the center of the tulip world. At Tulilpmania’s peak, people were paying the modern-day equivalent of $76,000 for one tulip bulb! Eventually the market crashed and devastated the economy.
Plant of the Month: Tulip
Stock Market Crash: Tulipmania

Irish Potato Famine
Potatoes originated in Peru, but thanks to their high nutrient content and ease of production they became an important staple food in Europe. In fact, people became too dependent on the potato, which is well documented by the tragedy of the Irish Potato Famine. Beginning in 1845, Irish potato crops were destroyed by a newly introduced fungal blight, leading to a multi-year famine. Hundreds of thousands of people starved and millions more emigrated to other countries. This highlights not only the importance of diversified agricultural practices, but also demonstrates the potential devastation of foreign diseases on plant species.
Irish Potato Famine
Digging Deeper with Potatoes

Lewis and Clark Expedition
Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition gathered important information about the western United States, including a vast amount of native plant life. Introduce your students to this important mission by planting some of the native species documented on the expedition. They can also practice collecting and cataloging plant material in the school garden or habitat.
Lewis and Clark Herbarium
Inside the Corps of Discovery
Interactive Journey Log of the Corps of Discovery
Collecting Plants: A Pressing Project

Study Important Historical Figures
Another way to put a face on plant-related history is to learn about famous historical figures who furthered our understanding and appreciation of plants through their dedication to gardening and/or science. Here are a few examples.

George Washington Carver focused his research on sustainable agricultural practices to help benefit small farmers in the South. He also published information to help people grow vegetables and prepare nutritious and economical recipes.
George Washington Carver National Monument
How to Grow the Tomato and 115 Uses for the Table
How the Farmer Can Save His Sweet Potaotes...
How to Grow the Peanut and 115 Ways to Prepare it for Human Consumption

Thomas Jefferson made political contributions during the founding of the United States and as the third President, but he was also a farmer and avid plant collector. His Virginia plantation, Monticello, is well known for its extensive gardens.
Gardens at Monticello
Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants

Dr. Norman Borlaug directed research at the Cooperative Wheat Research and Production Program in Mexico to develop more efficient farming practices and better varieties of crops to increase food production around the world. His wheat breeding work resulted in a disease-resistant variety that produced higher yields than traditional varieties. Farmers in India and Asia planted the wheat and increased food supplies, staving off starvation among their growing populations. In 1970, Dr. Borlaug received the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in saving millions of lives in Third World Countries. (Use Lesson 2 to introduce your students to plant breeding.)
The Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation Curriculum

Pursue Botanical Biographies
Just like people, every plant species has its own story, inspired by its unique structures, growth habit, growing requirements, native region, cultural uses, and a log of its travels (as people transported it around the world). Lesson 1 provides ideas for student research on plant origins; the following Web sites provide useful background information.
Food Plant Life Stories
Plants with a Purpose
Our Vegetable Travelers
The Food Timeline
Dyeing with Plants
Making Paper

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Lesson 1: Writing a Plant Biography, and Lesson 2: Introduction to Plant Breeding offer additional suggestions. And be sure to see what pilot teachers have to say about the Harvest of History online curriculum!