Spring Gardening for kids to do

I always loved to help my parent garden when I was a child; so, here are some craft/gardening ideas for kids to do.

Spring in a Bottle

Materials:  Clear 2-liter soda bottle, Small flowerpot, Potting soil, Seeds, Saucer, and Craft stick marker

Helpful Tip:  Consider planting herbs, such as parsley and basil,  that can be transplanted outside once the weather warms, or grass, which grows fast and is fun to trim with scissors.

Directions:

Cut the top from a clear 2-liter soda bottle. Find a flowerpot that fits inside the dome. Fill the pot with potting soil, and then plant the seeds according to the packet directions.  Place the pot on a saucer and poke in a craft stick marker. Slip the dome over the pot. Be sure to water the soil when it looks dry.

This next project will need adult supervision or help to drill holes, etc.

Topsy-turvy Tomatoes

Materials:  Sturdy bucket with a metal handle and cover,  Drill with large bit,  Sphagnum moss,     Tomato seedling, Dirt and compost

Directions:

Thoroughly clean out the bucket. Drill and cut a hole about 2 to 3 inches in diameter in the bottom of the bucket (a parent's job). Put some moss in the bottom of the bucket all around the hole to keep the tomato plant from falling out when you first hang the bucket.

Gently thread the upper 2 to 3 inches of the seedling through the hole, keeping the roots inside the bucket. While you hold the plant in place, have your child loosely pack dirt around the stem up to the root-ball. Then you can let go and add enough soil to cover the roots by about 2 inches.

Add a couple of cups of compost and more soil so the bucket is filled to just an inch or two below the rim.

Hang the bucket by its handle and water the plant thoroughly, until water starts running out of the hole. Water the tomato plant regularly, adding more soil and fertilizer if the level in the bucket falls. Keeping the bucket covered will help retain some moisture. As the plant grows out of the bottom of the bucket, its leaves will curl up toward the sun in search of the light until the tomato fruit appears and weighs them down.

Again depending on the age of the child adult supervision or help is need.  This is another fun thing you can do with your child.

Bee Happy Watering Can

Materials: Apple Barrel Gloss™ - White, 2 oz.,  Apple Barrel Gloss™ - Dandelion Yellow, 2 oz., Apple Barrel Gloss™ - Black, 2 oz.,  Simply ® Stencils - Many Flowers,  S/S BEE HAPPY 8X10, Decorator Products™ Durable Colors™ - Vanilla, 8 oz.,  Decorator Products™ Durable Colors™ - Fairway Green, 8 oz.,  Galvanized tin watering can,  foam brushes,  stencil brushes,  vinegar,  household sponge,  and round artists' brush

Prepare Surface:   Wipe metal surface with vinegar to remove any oily residue. Rinse and let dry completely.   Paint can with Vanilla. Let dry.   Paint trim areas with Fairway Green, using photo as a guide. Let dry.

Stencil:   Stencil grass along base of can using motif from Many Flowers stencil with Fairway Green. Let dry.   Stencil bees' bodies with Dandelion and Black. Stencil wings with White.   Stencil lettering and flight lines with Black. Let dry.

Finish:  Using a round brush, outline wings with Black

Shell Herb Garden

Materials:    Various shells, Potting soil (seeding blend),   Measuring cup (or any kind of scoop),     Watering can and water, Herb seeds (parsley, basil, sage, rosemary, thyme, etc.,)

Directions:

Choose various shells with deep crevices.    Fill shells with potting soil (using the measuring cup as a scoop).   Sprinkle potting soil with various herb seeds.  Gently water the soil and seeds.  Place in your outdoor garden, kitchen, windowsill or anywhere you want decorative plants.  Step 6: Once the herb plants are 1 inch tall, transplant in a prepared area (or even deeper shells) for continued growth.

In natural shells, this garden looks quite nice outdoors. It blends in with the surrounding area and gives a subtle, decorative touch.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at

stipple@verizon.net.  I look forward to hearing from you!