EXP 8 - Instant Garden

The spring of 2012 shall henceforth be known as the spring that Garden Science got an actual garden. It shall also be known as the spring that Garden Science planted a bunch of random stuff from the kitchen into said garden just to see what would happen. For experiment 8, I vowed to grow a thriving garden comprised only of things I had found around the kitchen. My final goal was to see how many of those seeds would grow into plants, and ultimately how many plants would survive long enough to produce their own seeds.

Experiment Goal:
●  Get as many types of kitchen vegetables growing as possible.
●  Ultimately, produce vegetables that can be either eaten or re-planted next year.
●  Prove that it is possible to produce a thriving garden using only seeds from around the house.

Experiment Conditions:
1.  Only seeds, beans, and other kitchen fodder may be planted.
2.  No “official” seeds from nurseries or seed packets may be used.
3.  Any methods of caring for the seeds/plants is acceptable.
4.  The experiment will be concluded only when all involved plants produce their own seeds OR die off.
5.  The success of the experiment will be measured first on a plant to plant basis, and then collectively.
6.  If any beans/seeds are produced by the experiment, at least some of them should be dried and saved so that they may be planted next year. 

Possible Outcomes:
1.  Failure - The seed fails to grow at all.
2.  Success - The seed grows into a plant.
3.  Great Success - The plant produces its own seeds.

Data Collection:

Seeds planted, in order of planting (see “Conclusions” for outcomes):
  1. Green Lentils
  2. Lentils
  3. Popcorn
  4. “Green Sunflower”
  5. Barley
  6. Navy Beans
  7. Pinto Beans
  8. Cooked Black Beans
  9. Garbanzo Beans
  10. Fava Beans
  11. Black Sesame Seeds
  12. Sesame Seeds
  13. Peanuts
  14. Hazelnuts
  15. Pine Nuts
  16. Almonds
  17. Kidney Beans

Conclusions:

GREAT SUCCESS:

  • Lentils 
  • Green Lentils 
  • Popcorn 
  • Navy Beans
  • Garbanzo Beans
  • Fava Beans

SUCCESS:

  • Peanuts
  • ????
FAILURE:
  • “Green Sunflower”
  • Barley 
  • Cooked Black Beans
  • Black Sesame Seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Hazelnuts
  • Pine Nuts
  • Almonds
  • Kidney Beans