Science+Fair+KA

My Science Fair project topic is what kind of fertilizer is best for growing mint plants. I am using Miracle Grow, eggshells and water and coffee grounds with water. I am going to grow the mint plants for 2- 2 1/2 weeks with just two tablespoons of water every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:45 pm.

Here are my materials needed for the experiment...

Hypothesis- If the fertilizer is homemade with eggshells and water, it will grow taller than the other plants.
 * Twelve mint plants
 * Coffee grounds
 * Eggshells
 * Water[[image:http://library.thinkquest.org/3715/plant1.gif width="237" align="right" caption="Image from Google Images"]]
 * Pots- {To put the plants in}
 * Data log
 * Poster board
 * Written report

Mint plants a perennial which means they can get growing. Sometimes, they are annual but that doesn't happen a lot. Mints are the best when they are wet and moist. 10- 120 cm is how tall they can grow up to.
 * NOTES-**
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 * First Source-** It is safe because the information is consistent with other websites.

After you wash them, make sure to crush. The calcium makes the plants grow excellent.
 * Second Source-** This site is safe because it is consistent with other websites and Cindy, the owner is very familiar with gardening.
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 * Eggshells-**
 * Coffee Grounds-** Soak in water. Highly recommended for acid loving plants.

This information is safe because it is written by the San Francisco Chronicle which is a newspaper so they know what they are talking about.
 * Third Source-**
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When starting a garden with fertilizer, start in the fall because the winter weather is good for the soil. Would you rather have organic or non organic fertilizer? Well, the difference is simple. Organic fertilizers are better for the plant but are more expensive. Non- organic fertilizers have harsh chemicals in it but, it is less expensive. An example of a cheap organic source would be manure or sometimes fish.

[] Photosynthesis- noun- the process in which the plant receives energy from the sun to produce food for itself. This is very important because it keeps the plant healthy and alive by feeding itself. Sunlight is a nessity to plants.
 * Fourth Source-**

Science Textbook- The seed cycle consists of germination-(sprouts and grows out of the dirt), growth and reproduction-(with sunlight and water, it will continue to grow and then eventually reproduce) and lastly dying after reproduction, new seeds will sprout. Every living thing goes through reproduction, growth and development. These things are very crucial to a plant's life. Make sure you water and give enough love and care to your plant.
 * Fifth Source-**

If you want the plant to grow and survive, they need some important gases to survive. These include oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. The problem is that most fertilizers only contain potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen. Then, the other stuff that is left is the ballast which does not contain anything useful for the plant.
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**Works Cited**

Cindy. "10 Natural Fertilizer Recipes." // Home Grown Fun //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013. . "Mentha." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2013. .
 * This website is valid because it is consistent with other websites and the author Cindy, is very familiar with gardening.
 * It is safe and valid because it is consistent with other websites.

Moyer, Richard. "Living Things Reproduce and Grow." //McGraw-Hill Science //. New York: McGraw-Hill School Division, 2000. 178-87. Print.
 * This textbook is a valid source of information because it is something I use in school and it is published throughout the world.

"National Gardening Association." //Plant Care Guides :://. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. .


 * This website is valid because it is consistent with other websites.

"Photosynthesis." //- Definition from Biology-Online.org //. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. .
 * This website is valid because it is consistent with all of the other websites.

"SFGate: San Francisco Bay Area - News,Bay Area News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds - SFGate." // SFGate //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013. .
 * This website is valid because it is written by the San Francisco newspaper so they know what they are talking about.

What Is Fertilizer and Why Do Plants Need It?" //HowStuffWorks //. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. .
 * This website is valid because this website is the same name as the tv show- How Stuff Works which is a national tv show.