Hey there! Have you ever wondered why most of the crops we grow seem to die every year? It’s not just because we harvest them to eat. The plants we choose for our crops usually have short lifespans. This is quite different from many wild plants, which can live for several years or even longer!
Imagine if we could grow plants that lived for many years. We wouldn’t have to plant seeds every single year, which would make farming a lot easier. While we do grow some long-lived plants called perennials, we mostly rely on short-lived plants known as annuals. Why? Because annuals have a special strategy: they grow quickly and produce lots of seeds for the next generation. This is especially true for important crops like wheat, corn, and rice, which are a big part of what we eat.
Perennials, on the other hand, take their time. They focus on growing strong and developing big root systems that help them survive for many years. They don’t rush to make seeds. In nature, this slow and steady approach often wins. Once perennials settle in an area, they can take over, leaving little space for annuals. It usually takes something big, like a fire, to clear the way for annuals to grow.
Even though perennials can be powerful in the wild, humans prefer annuals because they produce lots of seeds quickly. We help these short-lived plants by clearing fields, allowing them to grow in places they wouldn’t naturally thrive.
By the way, this article is inspired by a video sponsored by Tab for a Cause. It’s a free browser extension that donates a tiny amount to charity every time you open a new tab. These small donations add up, and Tab for a Cause has raised nearly half a million dollars for charities like Water.org. They’ve also updated their extension to make it faster and more fun to use. If you’re interested, you can join by clicking the link in the description to download it now.
Grow both annual and perennial plants in small pots. Observe and record their growth over a few weeks. Note the differences in growth speed and seed production. Discuss why annuals might be more suitable for farming.
Research different crops and their seed production rates. Create a chart comparing the seed output of annuals versus perennials. Present your findings to the class, explaining why annuals are favored in agriculture.
Divide into two groups: one advocating for annuals and the other for perennials. Prepare arguments for why each type of plant is beneficial for farming. Hold a debate to explore the pros and cons of each.
Visit a local farm to see annual and perennial crops in action. Interview the farmers about their crop choices and the reasons behind them. Write a report on how these choices impact farming practices.
Using what you’ve learned, design a model of a sustainable farm that balances the use of annuals and perennials. Present your model to the class, explaining how it could benefit the environment and food production.
This video was sponsored by Tab for a Cause. Hi, this is Emily from MinuteEarth. Most of our crops die every year, and it’s not just because we eat them – it’s because the plants we grow for crops tend to have a short lifespan. This is interesting because many wild plants live for more than a year, and sometimes much longer!
In theory, if we farmed long-lived perennial plants instead of annuals, we wouldn’t have to re-seed our fields every year, making our lives easier. While we do grow some perennials, we primarily rely on annuals because their strategy is to grow quickly and produce seeds for the next generation. This is especially true for staple crops like wheat, corn, and rice, which make up a significant portion of the human diet.
Perennials, on the other hand, take their time to grow strong and develop extensive root systems that help them survive in the long term. This means they don’t rush to reproduce. In the wild, the strategy of perennials often prevails because once they establish themselves, they can dominate the area, leaving little room for shorter-lived plants. Typically, it takes a significant event, like a fire, to clear the field for annuals to thrive.
However, due to our demand for the abundant seeds produced by annuals, humans actively participate in clearing fields, allowing these short-lived plants to flourish in areas where they might not naturally occur.
This video was sponsored by Tab for a Cause, a free browser extension that donates a fraction of a penny to charity every time a user opens a new tab. Those small contributions add up: Tab for a Cause has raised nearly half a million dollars for charities like Water.org and The Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck. Additionally, Tab for a Cause has recently updated its extension for faster page loads and more background options. If you aren’t using Tab for a Cause yet, consider joining us: click the link in the description to download it now.
Crops – Crops are plants that are grown in large quantities for food or other uses. – Farmers work hard to ensure their crops are healthy and ready for harvest.
Plants – Plants are living organisms that typically grow in soil and use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis. – In science class, we learned how plants convert sunlight into energy.
Annuals – Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season, from germination to seed production. – Marigolds are popular annuals that brighten up gardens every summer.
Perennials – Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, often blooming each season. – The garden is filled with perennials like tulips and daffodils that return each spring.
Seeds – Seeds are the small, embryonic plants enclosed in a protective outer covering, capable of developing into a new plant. – We planted sunflower seeds in the garden and watched them grow into tall flowers.
Farming – Farming is the practice of cultivating the land and raising crops and animals for food and other products. – Sustainable farming techniques help protect the environment while producing food.
Growth – Growth is the process by which living organisms increase in size and develop over time. – The growth of the tree was measured each year to study its development.
Nature – Nature refers to the physical world and everything in it that is not made by humans, including plants, animals, and landscapes. – We went on a hike to explore the beauty of nature and observe wildlife.
Survive – To survive means to continue living or existing, especially in difficult conditions. – Cacti have adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert.
Charity – Charity in environmental studies refers to organizations that work to protect the environment and support conservation efforts. – The charity organized a tree-planting event to help restore the local forest.
