Scholastic Root-Vue Farm

by HSP Nature Toys

• Garden Laboratory
• Features include a waterproof, growing box with sturdy acrylic, viewing window, 3 packets of fast growing seeds (carrot, radish & onion), instructions, experiments, and growing chart.
• Measures 9 1/4" x 16" x 5 3/4"
• Ages 4 yrs. +.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 10 x 16.7 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004W5ZB
• Item model number: 162
• Our recommended age: 4 - 14 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,532 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #33 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Habitats
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

Product Description

Durable unit with acrylic viewing window, built-in water basin and drainage reservoir, light shield that keeps plants growing but can be removed for viewing roots, 8 super-expanding grow mix wafers, 3 packets of seeds, identification labels and 16 page booklet with complete instructions and experiments. 9 1/4"H x 16"W x 5 3/4"D.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 64 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Usually like these types of toys....but May 7, 2004

By a science loving mom

Durability: 2.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 2.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 2.0 out of 5 stars   

I was real disappointed with this product. I usually like toys that allow children to grow things and I felt this would be a real good learning experience. However....out of the 20+ seeds that we tried planting, only 2 actually sprouted. The directions say to plant them 1/4 inch from the viewing window. We did this the first time and when it sprouted, we were unable to see the root! I recommend planting the seeds right next to the viewing window and planting a few more than the 3-4 seeds per hole that they say in the instructions. (Or try a different product...The Wee Enchanted Garden is Great!)

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars not like it looks May 6, 2004

A Kid's Review

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 1.0 out of 5 stars   

it LOOKS really cool. Its a really cool IDEA. But we couldn't see them like you do in the picture. But its the same box thing (just styrofoam and a clear plastic "window") as the "worm-vue-wonder" so we'll fill it with worms now and see if that works any better

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful way to learn about plants! February 23, 2003

By J. Alvergue

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

My six-year-old daughters are enthralled by the root view! What an excellent way to instill a fascination and love of science!
I highly recommend this for all children (okay, I'll admit it, I'm pretty fascinated with it myself!)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as it seems April 30, 2010

By M. Downen

Durability: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 3.0 out of 5 stars   

I was disappointed to find that this toy was Styrofoam, there wasn't enough dirt included, and the seeds had expired two years ago.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Root Vue Farm: Little Value and Several Flaws August 13, 2012

By Bryan Carey TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 2.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 2.0 out of 5 stars   

Root Vue Farm is a child's toy designed to educate kids on one of the wonders of nature. It is planting device that allows children a chance to watch vegetables grow and see what they look like below the surface of the ground.

When I purchased Root Vue Farm, I intended it to be a good educational lesson and in some ways, it does offer some educational value. It succeeds at getting kids to think more about plants and from a different perspective than usual. Kids and adults are all accustomed to looking at plants above the ground, but not below the surface where the edible parts of many vegetables are found. In this regard, Root Vue Farm is a good addition to a child's toy chest and it seemed like a good purchase.

The problems with Root Vue Farm, however, become evident when you put it together and plant the seeds. Taking it from the box, the first thing I didn't like was the construction. It is very cheaply made, using styrofoam to form the box that holds the soil and seeds. There is an acrylic viewing window, which is fine, but I couldn't believe the manufacturer made the main part of the toy from styrofoam. The use of plastic would have been better, but it appears the manufacturer was trying to cut costs in any way possible.

Next, we added the seeds and soil, watered it down, and waited for the seeds to grow. The first problem we encountered was with mold. The excessive moisture leads to mold growth and since the farm is made from styrofoam, you cannot easily keep it clean. At least with a plastic box, the mold could be wiped off. But you cannot clean this very easily and it stinks.

Waiting for the seeds to sprout also proved frustrating.... The seeds do sprout in a matter of days, but they did not reach the point where the vegetables could be viewed through the viewing window. I also noticed weed- like growth on the top of the soil. I don't know where it came from, but there it was, covering the top of the soil.

Educational toys are great and the concept of growing vegetables and observing their growth progress and root network still has some appeal. I may look for another toy with the same concept and better construction, but I will not bother with Root Vue Farm again. Nasty mold growth, styrofoam, and other annoyances make this an educational experience to forget. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even I love it! January 2, 2011

By Renee M. Brunette

Durability: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I got this 5 days ago and my two boys (4 & 5) and I planted right away. It has been great. I read complaints on here regarding things not sprouting or things dying, well, that is the gamble with planting anything, isn't it? If it doesn't work this time, we'll get a refill pack and try again. It allows you to teach the kids that growing things isn't a given, that there are many factors that can interfere with growing. I like that the instruction booklet has some other "experiments" that you can do with the seeds also. As for it being a styrofoam container...re-use it. Plant something else.

Anyhow, if everything goes as planned (and it may not) the boys and I will be harvesting radishes in 15 to 20 days! So cool!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really neat and educational January 12, 2010

By M. Smith

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I purchased this as a Christmas gift. I have a daughter that has a green thumb and this is really taking off and it's only January 12th! Yes, it's Styrofoam, that doesn't concern me. I like the point that it is built in such a way that you don't need to water it all the time. Plus my daughter is older and doesn't try to over handle the farm or have in a place that makes it vulnerable to dropping or knocking over.
There were plenty of extra seeds that she planted those as well in various containers. This is a very good experience for all of us, we like watching veggies grow in the middle of winter.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Plants sprouted then died February 25, 2013

By kro05

Durability: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 2.0 out of 5 stars   

This was fun to put together and start, but it's was a total waste of money! The plants sprouted, then shortly after, they died. The soil started growing mold on top and the whole thing is worthless. Very disappointed.