Springtime feels like the earth is waking up
It is a wonderful time to explore all of the new plants and animals emerging around us. It is a season of growth, change and excitement. Spring is also a time for seeds — a tiny package containing so much growth, change and excitement!
SURPRISE SEED BOMBS
Making seed bombs is a great way to have some clean messy fun outside! Start with some paper ready for the recycling bin — my favorite is colorful construction paper pieces leftover after cutting out other crafts. Get everyone involved in ripping up the paper into as teeny-tiny pieces as you can. Put all your itty-bitty paper scraps into a bowl and add some warm water; you are aiming for a soupy texture. Dig your hands in the watery-papery mix and start swirling, squeezing and squishing until the paper absorbs the water and turns into a pulpy mixture. Then add in a packet of your favorite seed mix — we love butterfly-friendly mixes and wildflowers! When mixed together well, start forming balls of the pulp/seed mixture and gently squeeze excess liquid from the balls. Leave the balls to dry in the sun. Then it’s time to toss into your garden, plant on your patio pot or share some with friends. It is SO exciting when you get to see your surprising splashes of color pop up as spring progresses!
EGG PLANTER PALS
While seeds require some time to germinate and grow, wheatberries are quick to sprout, making them so satisfying to impatient gardeners! Save some eggshells from your baking and breakfast — aim for keeping the biggest shell cups you can. Put your egg shells gently in a 275-degree oven and bake for thirty to sixty minutes to sterilize them. Next, take your clean and cooled egg shells and carefully fill them with soil. If you want to add some personality, now is the time! Take a permanent marker and add some eyes, maybe a smile or any kind of silly face you want! Then the final touches — add in your wheatberries and some water. Place your Egg Planter Pals back in an egg carton base and keep them cozy on a sunshine-soaked window sill. Keep an eye on your pals — their crazy hair should start poking up in just a few days! When the grass gets tall, you can give your pal a haircut and watch the grass continue to grow.
BOOKS
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
I love how this book alternates between the action we can see happening to all that goes on underneath our feet! Springtime can often feel like a sudden party bursting from the stillness of winter; this book shows all of the work happening to bring growth and green to the surface.
A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston This a beautiful non-fiction book takes readers on a journey through many different types of seeds. The engaging illustrations will keep your explorers coming back to learn more.
– Lee Alliet
Lee Alliet is a co-founder of Naturing in Madison, a wildschooling mama and an outdoor enthusiast. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two kids, resident dogs and an array of foster dogs. You can follow her outdoor adventures at @naturinginmadison and @adventureschoolingalliets