Living Easter Basket

 

I originally heard about this idea from my Mom. When I searched it online I found step by step directions here on Ecobuzzla.com. I think this is a really cute idea and something that a young child would get excited about. We planted grass seed with Hudson a few weeks ago and he was so excited when it finally sprouted! It only took ours about 2-3 days to start growing, however I think that seemed like an eternity to Hudson since he was checking to see if it has grown about every 10 minutes! 

 

Here's What You'll Need:

• Baskets – Or you can incorporate another craft into the living Easter Basket project and make your own baskets out of egg cartons, recycled construction paper or paper grocery bags.
• Basket liner – Use naturally waxed paper (conventional waxed paper is coated with petroleum based paraffin wax), a plastic bread bag or other plastic bag that you’d be tossing anyway or a reusable planting tray from your local nursery that will fit inside the basket (don’t forget to take the baskets to the nursery with you for size comparison if you decide to use a planting tray).
• Organic potting soil
• Organic seeds – Use any organic grass seed of your choice.  Wheatgrass grows quickly and is great for juicing.  You can also try oat or rye grass. Check your local Whole Foods or plant nursery for organic grass seeds.

Steps:

1.  Line the baskets with your liner of choice – waxed paper, egg carton material, reused plastic or reusable tray.

2.  Fill the lined basket with two inches of organic potting soil.

3.  Sprinkle grass seeds over the top of the soil.

4.  Sprinkle just enough soil over the seeds to cover them.

5.  Water daily.

Keep the baskets in a spot where they won’t be disturbed and be sure to keep the soil moist.  In a few days the seeds will sprout and you can move the basket to a sunny spot.  Continue to water and within two to three weeks (7-10 days for wheatgrass) you’ll have a beautiful bed of grass.

After your Easter celebration you can let the cats enjoy their own patch of “kitty grass” or you can gently move your homegrown grass to a spot outside and watch it continue to grow.  If you used wheatgrass you can juice it!  Or throw it in your compost pile (after it’s dried out).

Check back for more ways to celebrate Easter naturally.

Directions and picture from ecobuzzla.com