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Homeschooling always brings me these sorts of unanswered questions  –  the sort I never knew I wanted to know.  I’m definitely not sure if we can grow avocado trees in Nebraska.  We  can eat them here.  And Sweetest Daughter Ever #4 is most definitely convinced that we can grow one.  Personally, I always imagined them growing in an unbearably hot, humid place.  Okay, maybe we can grow avocados in Nebraska.  Not sure how they will winter, though.

We attempted two science experiments this week and that is always risky.  You know that story where they tell you that Thomas Edison failed 2000 times before he managed to invent the light bulb?  We may actually be descendants of Mr. Edison’s.  Except, we don’t have his stamina.  –  lol–  Although, I must admit, this  daring girl is two for two, this week.

Her second experiment illustrated how water and nutrients move through the roots, stem and leaves of a plant.  Surely, you all remember the joy of watching red dye climb up a stalk of celery.  It’s an old standby and I’m happy to say, we nailed it.   She was elated!

The first experiment was the one that had me worried.  Being the Becky Homecky sort of woman that I am, pitting an avocado is simply not a problem.  This I can do.  It’s what comes next, that has me feeling less than confident.  Our youngest little scientist, though, bless her heart, has no doubt that we will be harvesting avocados from our very own tree.  Look at that face.  Are you going to tell her she can’t?  –  lol

So, we thoroughly washed all the schmutz off the outside of the avocado pit, stuck 3 toothpicks around its perimeter and immersed the end into a canning jar of water.  The shell has begun to split now, just like the book said it would. The thing is, avocados aren’t just plants, they’re trees.  And at best, if it were to fruit, that takes a decade or more.  She will have graduated from high school.  Most everything I have read online, leads me to believe we can maybe grow this plant inside, but I think I am going to be taping avocados on there forever.  Again, I say, look at that face.  She’s totally worth it.  –  lol

If any of you avid gardeners have some avocado growing tips, we’d love to get them.  In the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy the happiness of a budding scientist with enough faith for the both of us.