Hi, CMBC members! It's time to celebrate this beautiful planet we call home. More than one billion people from over 190 countries participate in Earth Day, which is held every year on April 22.
You can celebrate the planet on Earth Day and year-round by:
Recycling
Planting seeds, flowers, and trees (see the activity below)
Using canvas tote bags instead of plastic bags at the grocery store
Picking up trash that's left on the ground
Using a refillable water bottle instead of a plastic water bottle
Switching to a reusable straw instead of a plastic straw
Making arts & crafts from recycled materials
While these are just a few of the many ways you can participate in Earth Day, these small acts add up to make a big difference in protecting the environment!
Planting Seeds Activity
Having a green thumb isn’t necessary with this easy guide! You can grow flowers by planting seeds in an egg carton. After planting the seeds, make a logbook for recording and tracking the seedlings' growth.
Materials:
Garden trowel
Potting soil
Packets of seeds (can be any variety)
Empty cardboard egg carton
Pencil
Clear plastic wrap
Spray bottle filled with water
Towel, newspaper, or several sheets of construction paper
Directions:
1. This activity gets messy, so cover the table with newspaper, a towel, or several sheets of construction paper.
2. Using your garden trowel, scoop potting soil into the egg carton and spread the soil evenly.
3. Use the end of a pencil to make a small, shallow hole in each of the egg carton cells.
4. Place one seed in each hole. If you want to plant a variety of seeds, label the cells so you know which flowers will bloom.
5. Sprinkle a little bit of soil on top of the seeds—just enough to cover the hole. Gently pat down the soil.
6. Spritz each cell with water until the soil is wet, but don't oversoak the soil.
7. Cover the egg carton with clear plastic wrap. This creates a greenhouse effect that helps the seeds stay warm and moist so they can grow!
8. Move the seed carton to a dry place that isn't near any windows. Once the seedlings start sprouting, they're ready to be moved to an area where they can get indirect sunlight. As your plants get taller, you can move them closer to the window so they get more light—but don't place them in direct sunlight.
9. Follow the instructions on the back of your seed packet(s) to know how many days the seeds will germinate (the time it takes seeds to sprout and grow). The instructions will also tell you when it's time to thin the seedlings (removing seedlings that are too close together).
10. When it's time to remove your plants from the egg carton, you can replant them in a pot or in the ground. If planting outdoors, check the instructions on your seed packet. It will tell you which months to plant them, depending on your region.
Thank you, Better Homes & Gardens, for this awesome idea! For more information about plants, check out their blog.