Bean Seed Growth in Different Types of Soil

1. Bean Seed Growth in Different Types of Soil

2. Big Question Do seeds grow better in potting soil, coffee grounds, sand, or cow manure?

3. Hypothesis • I think seeds will grow into plants best when planted in cow manure. I think potting soil will be second best. Then coffee grounds with sand being the worst. • I think this because cow manure is what my dad uses in our garden to grow vegetables and I can’t imagine how plants could grow in coffee grounds.

4. Interesting Facts from Research • There are many different types of beans • Beans are grown all over the world • Beans are used in many different types of foods • Beans are good for you and high in protien and fiber

5. Experiment - Materials • The materials I will need for my science experiment are listed below: • 4 small pots • potting soil (approx. 2 cups) • cow manure (approx. 2 cups) • coffee grounds (approx. 2 cups) • sand (approx. 2 cups) • 12 - bean seeds • water container • paper/pencil

6. Experiment - Procedures • Step 1 Purchase four containers to plant the seeds in • Step 2 Purchase potting soil, coffee grounds, cow manure and sand • Step 3 Purchase bean seeds • Step 4 Lightly pack potting soil, coffee grounds, cow manure and sand into each container and label each container • Step 5 Plant 3 bean seeds in each container • Using finger, create 3 small holes approximately ½ inch deep in each container • Place 1 bean seed in each hole and lightly cover with dirt • Gently water • Step 6 Lightly water seeds each day • Step 7 Record when seeds start to grow and measure growth height every other day • Step 8 Monitor seed growth

7. Experiment – Control/Variables • The experiment controls and variables included: • Watering the seeds on a regular basis • Ensuring that the seeds received enough sun light

8. Observations • The beans seeds started to grown faster than I thought they would • The different types of soil made a big difference in how the plants grew • Watering the plants every day was important • Making sure the plants had good light, especially in the late fall made a big difference

9. Data • November 4, 2009 Using steps outlined in the procedures, I planted the seeds as directed. • November 10, 2009 Seed in potting soil began to sprout • November 12, 2009 Seed in cow manure began to sprout, seed in potting soil approximately ½” tall • November 14, 2009 • Seed in potting soil ¾” tall, seed in cow manure just over ½” tall • Seeds in sand and coffee grounds have not sprouted • November 15, 2009 • Seed in coffee grounds starting to sprout • November 16, 2009 • Seeds in potting soil and cow manure both almost 1” tall • Seed in coffee grounds sprouting, but not looking good • Seed in sand has not sprouted • November 18, 2009 • Seed in cow manure is almost 1 ½” inches tall • Seed in potting soil is 1 ¼” tall • Seed in coffee grounds in starting to die • Seed in sand has not sprouted • November 20, 2009 • Seed in cow manure is 1 ¾” tall and sprouting multiple leaves Seed in potting soil is 1 ½” tall and sprouting and sprouting multiple leaves Seed in coffee grounds is dying Seed in sand has not sprouted • November 22, 2009 • Seed in cow manure is over 2” tall and looking very healthy • Seed in potting soil is just about 2” tall and looking healthy • Seed in coffee grounds has died • Seed in sand has not sprouted • November 22, 2009 – last day of results monitored

10. Analysis of Data • Yes, the experiment did test my hypothesis • I know because the results showed that the seeds planted in cow manure grew the best, the seeds planted in potting soil grew the second best, the seeds in the coffee grounds started to grow and then died, and the seeds in the sand never even started to grow.

11. Conclusion • Yes, my hypothesis was correct • I would probably use larger containers next time in the experiment, because it was hard to water the seeds in the small containers I used. I would also keep all the pots on one large tray so that I could move them easily from one window to another during the day so that they could get the most sun possible. • Why did the seeds in the coffee ground start to grow and then die? • Why did the seeds in the sand never start to grow? • Why did the seeds in the potting soil start to grow before the cow manure, but the cow manure grew faster and larger?

12. References • http://www.different-kinds-of-plants.com/beanplantgrowth.html • http://www.ehow.com/how_1996_grow-beans.html • http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lab/msg022139567362.html • http://www.seattlepi.com/nwgardens/143052_lovejoy09.html • http://greatgardens.blogspot.com/2009/01/bean-plant-growth.html