So if you are like me you spend lots of time and effort planning the perfect menu for a special holiday meal like Easter brunch or dinner.
You make sure you have a variety of foods, colors and textures and of course that everything is delicious.
Then the night before, as you’re setting the table you realize you have nothing for a centerpiece.
I usually scramble around the house to see what I can pull from somewhere and make good. If I’m lucky I have flowers blooming in the garden and I cut some of those.
Well, this year I was bound and determined to be a little more prepared and organized. Aren’t you proud of me?
One of my favorite ideas for an Easter table and one that I have done many times is to grow my own Easter grass. It is inexpensive and easy but it just takes a little planning.
It takes a few weeks to grow so you need to think ahead! Fortunately I thought ahead this year and it is still not too late for you to plant your own Easter grass.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Some containers. I have used all kinds of things including clay pots and metal bowls. You just need to have a little drainage so I fill the bottom of my containers with some small rocks or pea gravel. We just happen to have a bucket of pea gravel in our garage.
This year I found these cute little containers at Michael’s craft store and I am going to use them as place card holders by putting names on them for my Easter dinner guests.
I also filled some various larger metal containers – one is actually a #10 can I pulled out of my recycling. I found some small little clay pots too that will work perfect for place card holders.
The next step is:
2. Some Dirt I used a bag of potting soil I had or you could just dig some up out of the back yard.
3. Some grass or wheat seeds. Both will work fine. I used hard red wheat because I just happen to have it as part of my food storage but you can also find it in the bulk food aisle of many grocery stores. Your other option is to use regular grass seed. Sprinkle a generous layer of it on top of the dirt.
4. Some water and some sun. Next you want to dampen the soil and the seeds. Be careful not to overwater. You dont’ want the seeds molding instead of sprouting. I just sprinkle water on the top so that the top layer of the dirt and the seeds are moist. You will want to keep it moist as the grass sprouts and grows.
5. Some plastic wrap and a sunny spot. Place the containers in a sunny window and cover with plastic wrap. You are creating a mini sauna for your seeds.
Within a day or so you should see those seeds start to crack and sprout. It’s amazing how quickly it happens. Look really close and you can see…
Just in time for Easter brunch or dinner you should have yourself a nice little crop of grass.
I plan on using mine on my table with these cute little nests I picked up at our local craft store that is sadly closing down!
Now I just have to decide what’s on the menu!
I’ll keep you posted on how my grass is growing on Facebook!
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What an awesome idea! I would have never thought to do that. I wonder if I start tonight if I’ll get grass by Easter?
Suzanne recently posted..Quick Tip Thursday
You should have grass by Easter, no problem. Just give it as much sun as you can. Enjoy!
I LOVE this!! I have seen those metal tins around and have always liked them… now I hope I can find them again. I think I would keep the grass up all spring/summer. The kids will have fun with it too.
How long do you leave it covered with the plastic? Just until it sprouts?
Yes, I just keep it covered for the first 3-4 days until they have really sprouted well and you see green grass growing. You will have to water a bit more after they are uncovered because they will dry out quicker.
LA,
My mother in law does this every and once the grass gets a couple inches tall and inserts candle sticks and uses them for centerpieces.
Love the idea of candles in it. I have stuck tulips in mine before and that is pretty fun too!
I’ve been wanting to do this for years, thank you for the instuctions . . . I received this darling one as a gift one year and have been dying to recreate –
http://alpinekleinbunch.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-easter-its-darling.html
Thank you!! <3
Kristin
kristin recently posted..Not a Morning Person
Cute idea Leigh Anne, since I wasn’t as organized this year, I may have to cheat and buy grass thst already sprouted. I love to put a few colorful eggs in the grass for color. The metal ‘pots’ are a great look!
so springy!! waiting for your easter menu