Seed Anatomy

An educational diagram of a seed, showing parts such as seed coat, plumule, epicotyl, hypocotyl, cotyledons, radicle, and seed leaves, with labels and a colorful background.

  • Seed Coat – Like a tiny jacket, it protects the baby plant inside until it’s ready to grow.

  • Plumule – The part that will become the plant’s first leaves and stem.

  • Radicle – The baby root that grows down into the soil to drink water.

  • Cotyledons – The seed’s lunchbox, full of food for the baby plant until it can make its own.

  • Epicotyl – The stem section above the cotyledons that will keep growing upward.

  • Hypocotyl – The stem section below the cotyledons that pushes the baby plant up out of the soil.

Seed Germination

Diagram showing the germination process of a seed, including steps: 1. Imbibition - seed absorbs water and wakes up, 2. Radicle - first root breaks through, 3. Shoot - stem begins growing upward, 4. Seedling - young plant starts forming leaves, with a background of soil and sprouting plants, and a logo for Hawaii Kai Towne Center and City Mill.

  • Imbibition – The seed soaks up water like a sponge, waking up the baby plant inside.

  • Radicle – The baby root grows out first, anchoring the plant and drinking water from the soil.

  • Shoot – The little stem and leaves push upward toward the sunlight.

  • Seedling – The baby plant opens its first leaves and starts making its own food from sunlight.

Seed Germination Experiment

Items Needed – Paper towels, small jar, seeds (beans or peas recommended), water

  1. Fill jar with scrunched paper towels.

  2. Add water to completely wet paper towels. Pour out an excess water.

  3. Carefully push seeds down into the paper towels around the edge of the jar so they can still be seen. Make sure they are firmly held in place.

  4. Put your jar in a safe place and check in regularly to observe any changes. Add water as necessary to keep paper towels moist.

See Little Bins for Little Hands for full instructions.

Seed Match Game

How many seeds can you match to the vegetable or fruit? See how many you got right using the answer key below.

Level 1

Six different seeds and nuts arranged in two rows, with three items in each row. Top row features white peas, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Bottom row shows garlic cloves, a brown bean, and a green seed or nut.
Six illustrated vegetables and fruits with labels: pumpkins, a mango, corn, green beans, avocados, and green peas in pods.

Level 2

Six images featuring various seeds, nuts, and beans arranged in a grid. The top row shows a cluster of small black seeds, a pile of ginger root pieces, and a logo for 'abl garden, a community project.' The bottom row displays sunflower seeds, a cross-section of a fruit with seeds inside, and shelled oats.
A colorful educational poster showing pictures of fruit and vegetable names for a community gardening project, including a nectarine, cucumber, bell pepper, lemon, and papaya.

Level 3

Six images of seeds, nuts, and dried herbs arranged in a grid with a logo in the top right corner reading 'abl garden, a community project'
A poster with images and names of various vegetables and fruits, including carrots, cacao, sour sop, abiu, and beets, for a community garden project.

  • Level 1

    Top Row - Peas, Beans, Corn

    Bottom Row - Pumpkin, Avocado, Mango

    Level 2

    Top Row - Papaya, Lemon

    Bottom Row - Cucumber, Nectarine, Bell Pepper

    Level 3

    Top Row - Abiu, Soursop

    Bottom Row - Cacao, Beets, Carrots

    Bottom Row - Cucumber, Apricot,

Planting Seeds

Infographic with tips and tricks for planting seeds, including sections on creating a cozy bed, understanding the 2x Rule, and watering with sprinkles, featuring colorful backgrounds, icons, and text.

Saving Seeds

    1. 1Select overripe fruit (seeds in immature fruit are also immature and will not germinate).

    2. Cut the fruit in half and squeeze the seeds into a jar. The gelatinous coating on the seed is what prevents seed germination and must be removed.

    3. Add an equal amount of water to the amount of seeds and juice. The viable seeds will fall to the bottom of the jar. Remove the suspended material.

    4. Let the jar sit for 3 days at room temperature to ferment.

    5. Remove the debris on the surface of the fermented liquid and stir.

    6. Let the jar stand.

    7. Pour the remaining solution slowly through a strainer to catch the viable seeds.

    8. Wash the seeds in the strainer and shake excess water out.

    9. Put the seeds in a plate to dry, occasionally stirring the seeds around to ensure even drying. Keep out of windy areas. Dry seed will be light and has a tendency to blow away.

    10. When the seeds are dry, place them in an envelope and store them in a cool dry place in a capped jar, preferably in a refrigerator.

      From Kohala Center guide.

  • Certain types of plants use the dry seed saving method including coriander, lettuce, okra, etc.

    1. Let plant grow until seeds form.

    2. Leave plant to grow until seeds begin to dry out.

    3. Harvest dried seeds.

    4. Store seeds in a jar or envelop and store them in a cool dry place.

Infographic explains seed saving tips, including open-pollinated and hybrid (F1) seed types, wet and dry seed methods, and emphasizes the importance of saving seeds for food sovereignty. Sponsored by Hawaii Kai Towne Center and City Mill.