For the Juniors: Growing apples

SUBJECTS:  Science

YEARS:  F–2

Do you like eating apples?

This clip shows where apples are grown.

Learn how the apple farmer (orchardist) looks after the apple trees so they can grow lots of healthy fruit.

Things to think about

1. 1.Did you ever think about where apples come from? What do fruit trees need to grow fruit? Why do trees make fruit anyway? Is it just so people have fruit to eat?
2. 2.Why does an apple tree grow apples? What things can harm the apples? What things does an apple farmer (orchardist) do to help the trees grow good fruit? Why do some orchardists spray their trees with pesticides (bug killers).
3. 3.What pests burrow into the apples? How do you think these pests end up in an apple tree? What would happen if the orchardist didn't fight the 'bad bugs'? How do some orchardists fight bad bugs without spraying pesticide? Which bugs (insects) help the apple trees? How do they do this?
4. 4.Name some other fruits that grow on trees. Find out whether those trees and apple trees need the same things to grow and produce (make) fruit. What do orchardists need to know to do their job well? Imagine that you know someone who has just bought an orchard. Make a poster (or write a list) of things that will help them.

Acknowledgements

Music composed and performed by Robert Kitney.

Date of broadcast: 10 Sep 2001

Copyright

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