Scavenger hunt in the garden

Do you know where to find the plant that smells like licorice? Or which plant can be used to treat a snake bite?

What follows is a special Spring Scavenger Hunt for the school’s edible garden — a guide to exploring the textures, smells and plants … beyond the strawberry bed!

So print out, grab a pencil, then head to the garden with your children.

The plant for treating a snake bite, in full bloom

I’ve included some answers below, in case you need hints.

WRITE … OR DRAW your answers

Find a plant that smells like lemons.

_______________________________________________________

Find a plant that smells like licorice.

_______________________________________________________

Find a plant that smells like mint.

_______________________________________________________

Find a plant with “Rattlesnake” in its name.

_______________________________________________________

Find a plant with “berry” in its name.

_______________________________________________________

Find the perfect spot.

_______________________________________________________

Record how being in this spot makes you feel.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Find and draw three different shapes of leaves.

Find a weed.  ___ (Check when you find one)

Find a worm. ___ (Check when you find one)

Find something that feels rough.

_______________________________________________________

Find something that feels fuzzy.

_______________________________________________________

Find something that feels cold.

_______________________________________________________

Find something that feels warm.

_______________________________________________________

Find a purple and green leaf.

_______________________________________________________

Record the smells of …

grass  _______________________________________________________

soil  ________________________________________________________

a plant _______________________________________________________

SSSH … A FEW HELPFUL HINTS:

A plant that smells like lemon: Lemon Balm. You’ll find it in the courtyard garden, in a bed close to the building, beside the sidewalk. And handful of Lemon Balm and Mint leaves makes an excellent tea. Steep in hot water. Remove leaves. Add honey.

A plant that smells like licorice: Bronze Fennel, in the herb bed of the courtyard garden. Or Anise Hyssop, in the Urban Avenue bed. Bumblebees love it. Rub your fingers gently on its leaves, then smell your fingertips. As weather warms up, this plant grows beautiful purple-ish flowers.

A plant that smells like mint: Mint. It grows in the Urban Avenue bed, closest to the bike rack.

A plant with Rattlesnake in its name: Rattlesnake Master. It’s in the courtyard, near the large tree and benches. The plant was traditionally used by American Indians to treat snake bites.

A plant with Berry in its name: We’ve got strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, josta berries, a Beauty Berry bush, service berries and raspberries. Take your pick!

A purple and green leaf: Among others, you can find purple and green leaves in our lettuce bed on the playground.

Regarding worms: Please advise kids to look for worms only in beds where plants haven’t been planted yet — like the empty raised beds on the playground. They’re welcome to use hand shovels from the shed.

Also, please ask kids not to pick leaves during the scavenger hunt — just touch and smell.