How to Grow Beans in a Jar

Watch a seed transform into a plant right before your eyes using just a jar, paper towels, and a bean. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your jar. Fold your paper towel so it fits neatly inside the jar. Push it against the inner walls of the jar so it makes a liner, then stuff the center with extra crumpled paper towels to hold the liner in place against the glass.
2. Add the water. Slowly pour a small amount of water into the jar to dampen the paper towel. You want it to be moist, but not soaking wet—the paper towel should look dark, but there shouldn't be a pool of water at the bottom.
3. Plant the bean. Slide your bean between the glass and the paper towel liner. Place it about halfway down the jar so you can see it clearly from the outside.
4. Wait for the magic. Place your jar on a sunny windowsill. Check it every day to make sure the paper towel stays moist. Within a few days, you will see a tiny root pop out, followed by a stem!