Plant, Sow, Make & Grow - Story Snug

Plant, Sow, Make & Grow by Esther Coombs

Plant, Sow, Make & Grow Mud-Tastic Activities For Budding Gardeners gives a fascinating introduction to gardening. Esther Coombs was inspired to write the book after becoming involved in her daughter’s school gardening club. She produced illustrated newsletters about the club and these have been combined to create a wonderfully informative book which encompasses learning across several curriculum areas.

At the beginning of the book is a clear and easy to read contents page. After an introduction from the author, we are given a list of tools and other useful items including some we hadn’t thought of – bubble wrap and lolly sticks.

Preparation for planting comes next and we appreciated the suggestions that are given for easy first crops such as sunflowers, beetroot and strawberries.

The book is divided into four sections – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Jobs and planting times are divided according to season and within each section there are also ideas for garden related activities.

Esther’s illustrations are beautiful and full of detail. The earthy colours are printed on thick paper and text boxes throughout give extra snippets of information and facts.

There are some really innovative ideas for using everyday household items such as biodegradable toilet-roll seed starters. This is one of the first activities for spring which also includes sowing salad, tomatoes and flowers and planting potatoes. There’s also information about wildlife you may find in your garden – the good (ladybirds) and the bad (caterpillars).

Summer activities include sowing pumpkins, pressing flowers and making a watering can out of a plastic bottle. How to conserve water is explained as is companion planting and the importance of bees.

Autumn is harvest time and we learn how to harvest root crops and wild flower seeds. Carving a pumpkin, building a bug house and making an autumn wreath are also included.

Winter is quieter, a time for keeping seeds and making seed bombs. There’s also a wonderful activity using broad beans to show how seeds grow and a page showing how to protect plants in cold weather.

Plant, Sow, Make & Grow is truly inspiring and packed full of useful information and fascinating facts. Did you know that sweetcorn is grown on every continent in the world except Antarctica and beetroot has been eaten in space?

This book would make a fabulous addition to a school library or classroom. Gardening can be used to initiate learning in maths, science, crafts and it’s always a treat to harvest and eat your own crops!

Age Range: 5 +

Author / Illustrator: Esther Coombs

Thank you to Button Books for sending us a review copy of Plant, Sow, Make & Grow. We’ll definitely be using it for reference as we decide what to plant in our garden this year.


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10 responses to “Plant, Sow, Make & Grow by Esther Coombs”


  1. crummymummy1 avatar

    I love the concept of this – the illustrations are lovely too #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      The illustrations are gorgeous and informative too.


  2. stickymudandbellylaughs avatar
    stickymudandbellylaughs

    What a lovely way to introduce children to gardening and adults who aren’t particularly green fingered too!
    I’ve always got my two involved with the gardening. My eldest always helps with the greenhouse and grows a lot of his own plants too.

    Thanks for sharing with #MMBC. 🙂


    1. Catherine avatar

      I think it’s lovely when children plant, grow and then eat their own crops 🙂


  3. Cheryl TimeToCraft (@CherylInTheUK) avatar

    Love the idea of a year round gardening book aimed at children. Especially as it includes more frugal ideas too. It is just the book I would have bought when my children were younger. For them, I mean. Not me! #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s a great book for adults without any gardening experience too 🙂


  4. Carol avatar

    It sounds like a great book to share the love of gardening and growing plants. #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      It is, Esther’s enthusiasm for gardening really comes through and she has some fabulous suggestions for garden related crafts and activities 🙂


  5. Louisa (@LouisaInsideOut) avatar

    This book looks absolutely amazing. I have just bought a veg gardening book for myself but it is firmly aimed at adults. A version suitable for my children would be fantastic. Definitely going to buy this! #mmbc


    1. Catherine avatar

      Plant, Sow, Make & Grow is great for adults as well as children and has so many useful tips as well as fun crafts and historical facts 🙂