Flower "Beds"

Ages 2 and up (many 30 minute sessions)

Objectives:

To turn ordinary into extraordinary!
To use art in the garden
To create a sense of wonder and belonging

Materials:

Pieces of pressure treated plywood – one for each bed
A 8x10 raised flower bed
Loads of flower transplants
Trowels
Exterior primer
White latex exterior paint- satin finish
Exterior acrylic paint – all the primary colors- 1 half pint each
Assorted paintbrushes for artwork and priming and painting large pieces
Clear exterior sealer
4 – 4” Lag bolts with washers
Jig saw
Cordless drill

Part One:

Buy (one) 4x8, ¾ inch, exterior grade plywood. With a pencil, divide the plywood up lengthwise into two pieces. One will be 1’x8” (the footboard) and the other will be 3’x8’ (the headboard). Prime each piece of plywood, on both sides. Free hand a whimsical headboard and foot board on the two pieces. Cut them out using the jigsaw. Once the pieces have been cut, prime the edges with the white primer. Top coat both pieces and their edges with the exterior white paint. Attach the headboard and footboard to the flower bed with the lag bolts and washers using the power drill.

Part Two:

Allow the children to paint colorful pictures of flowers and outdoor scenes on the boards. Let their creativity run wild! After they have completed painting, seal their paintings with a clear acrylic sealer. This will help protect their artwork from rain and bad weather.

Part Three:

Add compost to the beds, place stepping stones across the middle for ease of weeding, and plant the beds with the flowers. Follow the directions for planting the garden, section 2.6.

Questions:

Anything related to planting and colors.