This sprouting activity is super fun because it is quick and the corn sprouts grow very tall, both of which will keep the attention of your little ones.
"Sprout a Corncob" was the growing activity included in August's "Kids Love Sweet Corn" Veggie Buds Club kit, read on to learn how to sprout your own at home!
You can often find dry corncobs at garden or hardware stores (it is used for feed for wild animals). You can also find decorative Indian or ornamental corn at farmers markets, grocery stores, etc. in the fall season.
Dry corncob kernels are corn seeds. Simply fill a dish with 1 inch of water and place the corncob in the water. Place this is a sunny spot and then admire your corn as it grows! Within a few days you will begin to see the shoots sprout upwards, you will also see the roots grow in the water. You may need to pour the water out and refill with fresh water if it gets a little stinky.
Corn is actually a type of grass that has been cultivated over the course of thousands of years to resemble today's modern corn. You will definitely notice that the sprouts look just like grass!
A Little History of Corn
Scientists believe that people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7,000 years ago. It was started from a wild grass called teosinte. Teosinte looked very different from our corn today. The kernels were small and were not placed close together like kernels on the husked ear of modern corn. Also known as maize, Indians throughout North and South America, eventually depended upon this crop for much of their food.
You can read more here!