We’re so excited! Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd. Around here, we simply aren’t capable of limiting our Earth celebration to just one day. So we’ve taken it upon ourselves to call April “Earth Month” and we’ll be sharing eco-tips and activities all month long on the blog. Once a week, we’ll feature a fun kid-oriented and earth-friendly project. First up is a compact herb garden planted in an aluminum can from your recycling bin (though you might want to give it a rinse first!). This is a fun way to get the kids (or your inner child) gardening and recycling all at once.Herbs are a healthy and tasty way to add fresh flavor to your favorite dish, salad, marinade or even sorbet. Herbs also contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like all fruits and vegetables. And they’re simple and fun to grow with a quick payoff.To ensure you’ve got everything you need to begin, gather your materials and then spread them out on your work area. This project can be done just about anywhere — at the kitchen table, on a deck or patio, or in the yard. To make this compact herb garden you will need:
1. Empty aluminum can2. Drill (or hammer & nail)3. Construction Paper4. Scissors5. Glue6. Markers7. Small plastic container for drainage saucer8. Potting Soil9. Herb SeedsOnce you have your materials assembled, follow these simple steps:
Step 1Begin by drilling several holes in the bottom of the aluminum can. This will allow water to drain through the container. You can, of course, plant more than one can of herbs.Step 2Cut out the construction paper to make a new label for the can. Decorate the paper with drawings and then glue the paper to the can.
Step 3Place some potting soil in the can and plant a few seeds near the surface. Put the can in the drainage saucer and water the surface.Check your packet of seeds for specifics on how many seeds to plant and how to care for the seedlings. Most herb seeds will germinate in a week or two, and will be ready to harvest within a month or so after sprouting. Be sure to water them occasionally to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.So tell us, what are some of your favorite earth-friendly projects for kids?
