Lorna,
are you referencing this https://www.sfi.ie/site-files/primary-science/media/pdfs/col/growing_tomatoes.pdf
also in Irish https://www.sfi.ie/site-files/primary-science/media/pdfs/irish/col/tratai_a_fhas_o_shiolta.pdf
This is one of the older Primary Science activities, presented much as a task list. As you have said, the learning comes about when the children ask their own questions and extend their learning by looking at unusual cases or unexpected results.