Activity time: 30 minutes

Materials for Activity

• Selected perennials
• Mulch
• Garden gloves
• Garden tools such as trowels and shovels in assorted sizes

Preparation for Activity

• Consult with the religious educator and the congregations' grounds or facilities committee and/or staff on where, when, and how much you can plant.
• Identify possible native plants for your state that will help attract birds, butterflies, or other desirable wildlife to your congregation's landscape. Determine the exposure, soil, and other conditions of the site you will plant. Then, purchase (or have donated) the native plants that will fit your landscape best.
• Ask parents to have children bring appropriate outdoor clothes, and garden gloves if they have any at home. Gather extra gloves.
• Recruit volunteers to photograph or videotape the work session as well as to help with planting.

Description of Activity

This activity requires some advance preparation, but can be very rewarding for a congregation. Flowering perennials, which will come up each year, are easy to plant. Small shrubs are also easy to plant and will last a long time.

On planting day, have the children take turns digging holes, putting in plants, watering, and mulching. Engage adult volunteers to help as needed. Take pictures or videotape of the planting project and plan to share these with the children in a subsequent session.

Let the children and their families know what time of year the plants start blooming or when prime wildlife season is for the plants. Encourage families to make a special effort to visit and observe the plantings at those times.