1. Bean Seed Growth in Different Types of Soil
By Elizabeth Posavad
4th Grade

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. 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
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
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
November 22, 2009 – last day of results monitored
Data

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