Spring is a busy time in the community garden. Neighbors come together to plant seeds in the dark soil.
Children love to help in the neighborhood garden. They carry small watering cans to give the soil a drink.
One special plant that grows in the spring is the sunflower. Sunflowers start as small, striped seeds.
A child pushes a seed deep into the warm earth. The seed needs water and bright sunlight to wake up.
Under the ground, tiny roots begin to grow. The roots hold the plant tight and drink up water.
Soon, a small green shoot pops up through the dirt. This tiny new plant is called a sprout.
Children watch the sprout grow taller each week. The stem grows thick and strong.
Big green leaves spread out to catch the warm sun. Sunflowers even turn their heads to follow the sun across the sky!
At the top of the tall stem, a round flower bud forms. Slowly, the green bud opens wide.
Bright yellow petals unfold in a big circle. The open flower looks just like a shining yellow sun.
When the first sunflower opens, the whole garden looks bright. Bees and butterflies fly over to drink sweet nectar from the blossom.
Watching a sunflower grow is a wonderful part of spring.
