Kids can celebrate Arbor Day by creating colander salad gardens

When we were kids way back in the 50s, Earth Day as a celebration was not yet in existence. But Arbor/Tree Planting Day was. During the last week in April, neighborhood schools distributed tiny redbud saplings, small enough to carry home wrapped in wet newspaper.

At our home, Dad planted those tiny specimens in the side yard, and they thrived. Red bud trees are still one of my favorite trees.

Fast forward to 1970. Environmental awareness marked the birth of what we now call Earth Day.

Both Arbor and Earth Days are celebrated in April. The difference is Arbor Day focuses on trees while Earth Day inspires good stewardship of our entire environment.

Nurturing our good earth motivates all of us, but in particular the little ones.

Take advantage of the enthusiasm created.

Here’s a thought: how about having the children make their own colander salad garden? Easy, peasy, really. All you need is a colander (and if you don’t have an extra one, thrift and dollar stores do), coffee filters or paper towels, potting soil, water and seeds. As far as watering, a spritz bottle is perfect and kids can decorate or label their own.

The bonus? Salad greens sprout fairly quick, and the process of tending a colander garden is educational and fun. Tasty, healthy eating is a given. Another plus is you just might be “planting” a life-long love of home grown goodness.

Colander salad garden indoors or out

Plant a single variety of greens or a mix. Let the little ones choose their favorites. Maybe introduce a new variety for them to try.

Outdoors is my choice but indoors works, too. Good air circulation and a sunny window should do it.

• Line a colander with coffee filters or good quality paper towels to keep soil in and allow good drainage.

• Tape coffee filters if necessary to adhere to colander. Moisten evenly.

• Pour soil in close to the top. Water lightly and gently. This is where a spritz bottle comes in.

• Tamp soil down to smooth.

• Sprinkle seeds evenly over surface.

• Add a very light coating of soil on top of seeds, just enough to cover, tamp down again and water lightly once more.

• Label and date. You can tape the seed packet on a popsicle stick.

• Water as needed. Keep evenly moist but not soggy. In a week or so you’ll see tiny seeds sprouting. The greens may need thinning as they grow (yummy to munch on).

• Some are ready to eat in three weeks. Harvest by cutting at soil level. New growth appears in a few days. Cut & come again greens are yours for the taking.

Tip: other planters

Baskets, pots, etc. with good drainage. Just make sure they’re not too heavy for little hands to carry.

Shake it up ranch dressing in a jar

Once those gardens start producing, make a batch of homemade ranch dressing. All ingredients get shaken together in a jar.

Check out my abouteating.com site for that.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kids can celebrate Arbor Day by creating colander salad gardens