All about Earth Day and the “first” Earth Day celebration - the Garden of Eden!
Genesis 2:15. The Garden of Eden was the environment that God created for a relationship with Him to take place. MATT WILL YOU GIVE YOUR TAKE ON THIS AND THEN I’LL GIVE MINE.
I think this is a template for us to respect and use God’s good earth to nourish ourselves. And you don’t need a plow and the lower forty to do it!
Since we celebrated Earth Day this week and it’s a very special day for kids to learn how to be good stewards of their environment, let’s talk about letting the little ones make their own salad gardens out of old colanders, coffee filters, a little soil and a pack of lettuce/greens. They sprout quickly and can be cut & come again. This hands-on activity fosters confidence, creativity and the willingness to try something new.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR A COLANDER SALAD GARDEN
Find inexpensive colanders at thrift or dollar stores.
As far as what to grow, choices are endless. You can plant a single variety of greens or a mix. Let the little ones help you choose.
- 1.Line a colander with coffee filters to keep soil in and allow good drainage.
- 2.Tape coffee filters if necessary to adhere to colander. Moisten evenly.
- 3.Pour soil in 3/4 of the way up. Tamp down to smooth.
- 4.Sprinkle seeds evenly over surface. You can sprinkle on a good amount of seeds.
- 5.Pour a tiny bit of soil on top of seeds, just enough to cover.
- 6.Tamp down gently.
- 7.Water very lightly and gently. This is where a spritz bottle comes in handy.
- 8.Add label and date. You can simply tape the seed packet on a popsicle stick.
- 9.Place in sunny spot.
- 10.Water as needed. Keep evenly moist but not soggy.
- 11.Watch closely — in a week or so you’ll see all those tiny seeds sprouting.
- 12.Some varieties are ready to eat in 3 weeks.
- 13.As the greens grow, cut at soil level. New growth appears in a few days.