Green
project for Kids and Adults
Tin Can Herb Pots
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Very Easy
Age: 6 and up
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Make these charming tin can
herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only
recycles, it creates new life, and is a great Earth
Day craft. Your child can watch her plants grow
for months to come and be proud that she created the container that
holds them.What you'
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Tips:
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1. |
A 4-inch
potted plant will be enough to make 2-3
vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28
oz). |
2. |
This is a
great project to teach kids about
growing plants, especially edible ones. Take this opportunity to visit
your local library and check out a book on simple container gardening
or gardening with kids. |
3. |
Keep the
kids involved, be sure they take care of
“their” plant. Have them water their plant and show them
how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently
touching the soil surface with their finger.
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4. |
Eat
these herbs! Your kids will light up when
they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to your spaghetti sauce.
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What you will need:
- Empty aluminum can
- Screwdriver and hammer
- Liquid gesso (recommended: Liquitex Basics Gesso)
- Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice
- Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish
- Craft stick
- Thin cardboard
- Pinking shears
- Black permanent marker
- 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles
- 1.5 cups potting soil
- 4-inch potted herb plant
- White craft glue
- Water
- Flower stickers (optional)
How to make it:
- Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand
off any rough edges from opening of can.
- Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or
other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a
hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
- Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry
completely.
- Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
- Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long
lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
- Decorate with stickers if desired.
- In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the
completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
- Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to
form a single layer.
- Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
- Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into
the can.
- Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so
that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that
it’s too tight.
- Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add
some water to the newly planted herbs.
- Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
- Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about
1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
- Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
- Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
- Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto
the rectangle.
- Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not
to crush any roots along the way.
- Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to
water them!
http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-tin-can-herb-pots.html
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