★ Stareon's Hideout ★

Rozaedalia, the gardener, is a cheerful, happy, outgoing Leafeon who loves visitors. Just for visiting, pick an award.

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See Rozaedalia and her brother Jadesofivy around the garden. They will occasionally have new things to give you, so stick around!

Nature Ornaments

Supplies:

air-drying clay
ribbon
leaf or flowers (for imprinting)
skewer
(optional: acrylic paint)

Directions:

1. Take a fist-size amount of air-drying clay and roll it into a ball. Use the flat bottom of a cup to flatten it into a circle.

2. Pick what you would like to make an imprint of. It can be a flower or a leaf of a fern, for example. Gently press it into the flattened circle of your clay for a few seconds. Peel the plant away, careful not to leave any behind.

3. Next, use the skewer to poke a hole near the top (where you want your ribbon to go through when it's hanging.) Make sure the hole is big enough you will be able to get your ribbon through.

4. Let your project air dry for as long as the directions say. (Be sure to carefully package any leftovers for future projects.)

5. Now you may paint a thin layer over your ornament, if you would like and let it air dry again.

6. Finally, your project is dry and you can tie your ribbon through it and see it hung up!

Fall-Time Sensory Soup

Supplies:

Leaves
Pinecones
Apple, in chunks
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cloves
bucket and long handled spoon
water

Directions:

1. First, pick a bucket or a pot to fill with your fall-time items. Now throw all your dry items inside.

2. Second, fill with water and start stirring until the aroma begins to release into the air.

3. Let the smell take you away as you stir around and around. How do you feel as you smell it? What does it remind you of? ^{**If you have a parent's help and permission, put in a large pot and lightly simmer on the stove like real soup so the smell permeates everywhere! This "soup" is not for eating, only for smelling purposes. **}

Recycled Watering Can

Supplies:

Recycled Milk Gallon (with handle)
Needle
Matches
(Adult Supervision Required!!)

Directions:

1. Clean out your milk jug thoroughly. Remove labels.

2. With an adult's help or supervision, carefully heat up a needle's tip for a few seconds.

3. With help still, careful not to push into your hand or fingers, push the needle through the flat top of the lid and make 15-20 spread out holes.

4. Fill with water or water and appropriate amount of fertilizer. Reattach the lid and use to your water plants!

^{Optionally, you can decorate the outside of your jug with waterproof paint or waterproof stickers to personalize your watering can!}

Micro-greens Planter

Make your small pet a micro-green planter!

Old small can (tuna can size)
Hot glue gun/glue
Waterproof paint (optional)
Waterproof decorative washi tape
2 oz. clay or sandy soil
Pebbles
Chia seeds
Water

Directions:

1. Clean and wash out an old tuna can (or can of this size.) Let dry. Careful of sharp edges.

2. With an adult's help, carefully add hot glue to the sharp edges of the can. It should quickly dry, and then you can move onto step 3.

3. If you wish to add waterproof paint, you may do that now. Wait for it to dry. If you like the silver background, simply add your decorative washi tape in a straight line around your can.

4. Before adding your soil, add a layer of pebbles for drainage to the bottom. Now add your soil to the inside of the can and lightly press down with your fingers. Spritz with water.

5. Finally add your chia seeds and then spritz with more water. Lightly cover with a thin layer of soil. Spritz with more water. Place in a window where it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight and give a healthy mist daily. It should sprout in a few days.

Self-Watering Terrarium

Create your own mini eco-system. See the water cycle firsthand in your terrarium as well!

Choose a humidity-loving plant such as a variety of an umbrella plant, peperomia, mini ferns, or pothos. Research your plant first so you know how much light they need and the right type of potting soil.

Supplies:

Cleaned 2 liter soda bottle
Moss
Plant
Box cutter
100 grams sand
1/2 cup Small Pebbles
Organic potting soil
50 grams activated charcoal

Directions:

1. Have an adult cut the bottle all the way around, just below where the bottle begins to flare outwards.

2. Trim about an inch off the bottom of the top and the top of the bottom.

3. Pour 1/2 an inch sand into the bottom of the bottle. Add a layer of pebbles.

4. Now add 50 grams activated charcoal. This will help prevent mold and mildew from growing.

5. Add about 3 inches of potting soil, according to which kind of plant you've chosen. Poke a hole(s) where you'd like your plant(s) to go.

6. Add your plant(s) into the soil and add a bit of water to help it settle in. Place your moss, whatever kind it is, around your plants, and mist them with water as well.

7. Slide your lid over the top of the terrarium base. Make sure you put your terrarium in a place that gets indirect light and water it every other week, or whenever you notice there's no more condensation on the lid.

Recycled Seed Paper

Spread the beauty of wildflowers wherever it's barren.

Supplies:

Scrap paper
1/2 to 1 cup warm water
1 seed packet wildflowers

Directions:

1. Take scraps of construction paper, newspaper, printer paper or other leftover paper from projects you've done, using pieces that are too small to reuse, and rip them into tiny pieces. With adult supervision, place them into a food processor.

2. Add 1/2 to 1 cup warm cup warm water to soften the paper. Wait for 10-20 minutes until your paper is softened.

3. Turn on the food processor to blend the paper, scraping down the sides as you go.

4. Remove the paper from the processor and squeeze out all the excess water.

5. Add your wildflower seeds into the bowl and mix.

6. Take a tablespoon of the seeds and paper together and shape into a ball and then flatten out. Repeat with the rest of the mixture. Let dry in the sunlight.

7. Where you see a patch of empty earth, plant your Seed Paper to help spread the beauty of wildflowers.

Recycled Hummingbird Feeder Project

A project for when summer comes, hummingbird feeder will add a splash of color to any backyard, porch, or landscape.

Supplies:

1-liter empty plastic bottle with cap
Plastic bowl with lid (diameter relative to bottle size)
Sturdy bendable wire
Waterproof red paint
Faux flowers, glue gun, and glue sticks (optional)
Scissors or cutters
Hammer and nail
Pliers
Sugar Water*

Directions:

1. Remove the plastic cap from the bottle. Use the rim of the cap to trace a circle in the middle of the lid of the plastic bowl. Be sure mark it as close to the cap as you can. You'll then need to cut out what you've just traced.

2. After you've done this, cut out four more circular holes around the plastic lid, perpendicular to each other. Put the rim of the cap down through the hole of the plastic lid you've just cut out. Using the hammer and nail, pierce a decent-sized hole through the center of the cap. Screw the top of the bottle back on. Snap the plastic bowl into the lid. Now, the base of your hummingbird feeder is done.

3. Paint your hummingbird feeder a nice, bright red because hummingbirds are naturally attracted to that color.

4. Once the paint dries, use the sturdy bendable wire and pliers to wrap around the bottle of the bottle. You can make it in whatever design you'd like, as long as it is securely wrapped around. Twist the metal to make a hook, tapering the wire up from the neck of the bottle to the bottom of the bottle (which will remain on top when hung.)

5. Using a glue gun, you may glue some pretty flowers onto the sides of the plastic bowl. This makes your feeder more attractive.

6. To fill your feeder with the hummingbird feed, unsnap the bottom, unscrew the lid, and fill with a mixture of sugar water. *To make sugar water, dissolve 1 cup sugar with 4 cups water. (Be sure to regularly change out the sugar water mixture.)

7. Find a sunny place in your garden to hang your new bird feeder and wait for the whimsical hummingbirds.

Icicle Bird Feeder

A nice project for the birds enjoy on cold winter days, this icicle bird feeder not only looks cool like an icicle but will feed other local animals too.

Supplies:

A large carrot
Peanut Butter
Small bird seed (like millet)
Shish-kabob stick
String for hanging (at least 6 in-8in)

Directions:

1. Firstly, make a hole through larger top part of the carrot with the shish-kabob stick. Remove the stick and thread the string or twine through the hole. Make a large O shape tied off at the top so you will be able to hang the carrot from a tree or hanger later. Take care to make sure you've given yourself enough string and you tie the knot securely.

2. Next, pour out some of your seed onto a plate or pan. Then, cover your carrot (except the larger part on top) with peanut butter.

3. Now thoroughly roll the carrot in the seed. Make sure it's completely covered.

4. Finally, hang the 'icicle' from a low-hanging tree branch and wait for the birds to come! Other wildlife will also enjoy the carrot once the seeds are all gone. Carefully observe all the wildlife that it attracts.

Veggie Painted Rocks

No chance of frost anymore. The air is warming up. The tulips and dandelions have popped up, like sunshine on terra. It's planting season!! Time to get your veggies planted. Whether you plan to plant seeds, seedlings, or plants already matured into a little fenced in patch of soil, let's do a fun little painting project first.

Supplies:

Large smooth flat rocks
Acrylic paints
Clear glaze

Directions:

1. Match the shape of the rocks to the shape of the veggies or fruits you're planting.

^{For instance, Round = Tomato, Triangle = Carrot, Rough Circle = Lettuce, Curved, Long Semi-Circle = Green Beans, Chili Peppers, etc.

Feel free to be as creative as you'd like during your matching process. There is no right or wrong.}

2. Paint your rocks with the corresponding vegetables or fruits you plan to plant or have planted. Let the paint completely dry.

3. Coat with a clear waterproof glaze. Let dry.

4. Next spring, put them next to the plants/seeds in your garden!! Occasionally, hose off when it gets dirty.

The Bee Hotel

"The truth is, no amount of money or gold is worth more than bees, trees, or water."
~Bob Marley

About:

With spring here, we know the flowers and flowering fruits and vegetables we enjoy outside are largely due to pollination, of which honey bees are responsible for at least 30 percent of. Without bees, many of the healthy produce we need to survive would die, which is why it is so important we take steps to preserve these precious creatures. Avoiding using harsh pesticides on flowers the honey bees will be hurt from is one way. Switching over to more organic methods of gardening is another. And, a third is to create this simple bee hotel to house busy bees doing their job in the circle of life.

Supplies:

An old cleaned out can or mason jar
Bamboo straws, completely washed out recycled plastic straws, or dried, hollow, foraged plant stems
Glue gun and glue stick
Utility knife, scissors, or jigsaw
Waterproof outdoor paint, paintbrushes (optional)

Directions:

1. When you've finished eating beans or veggies from that can, clean it out completely, careful of all the edges. Remove the label and be sure to give it a good soak and rinse to remove any funky odors. Leave to dry. If you are using the mason jar, remove the lid, clean, and dry.

2. Gathered up as many plant stems as you can find, or have saved up as many old straws as you could (though remember reusable silicone straws, metal, bamboo, and other types of reusable or compost-friendly straws are better for the environment, so don't go and buy plastic straws just for this project!), make sure they are all the right length to fit into the jar or can. They do not have to be the same diameter or type. For instance, you can mix bamboo straws with plant stems. And you can mix smaller soda plastic straws with larger boba straws. The bees will not mind the differences in room size.

3. Make sure you have cut them all to the same length using the utility knife or scissors, whichever works better, around 4 inches. (*If you are using bamboo straws, which are thicker, and more difficult to break, you may need to mark where to cut and use a small jigsaw. Please get help for any cutting!*)

4. Now get together all your hollowed stems or straws, and fill up your can or mason jar, in whatever pattern you would like. Put them in as tightly as you are able, careful of the sharp edges of the can. (If you are using a can, after it is filled, place hot glue over the sharp edges.)

5. Test to make sure it is filled up enough by tipping it upside down. If it's filled enough, nothing will spill out. If it seems loose or the contents start to spill out, fill it with more hollow stems or straws.

6. Now that it is completed, you can decorate the outside of the can or jar if you'd like with outdoor paint (check to make sure it is safe for glass or metal), careful not to get any near the mouth of the jar or can. This step is completely optional. Your bees aren't too picky about home décor.

7. Finally, you should place your hotel in a sunny place, close to flowers and plants, but isn't shaded by them. The details of how to secure your hotel aren't laid out because every yard is landscaped differently. Some may find they can drill the hotel right to a tree, some may find they have to rig it securely with wires or chains, others may nestle it somewhere high with rocks, taking care that it is away from wind and it doesn't get blown about.

^{As a note: In winter months, if you live somewhere cold, you may move your hotel to a dry location like a shed. But, don't forget once spring starts to bring it back outside because the bees inside will start to emerge from the stems again in search for food.)}

Butterfly Feeder

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."
~Vincent Van Gogh

About:

As spring is right around the corner, we are going to talk about some sweet gardening tips on how to attract some beautiful wildlife to your area with each update. This update we will explain how to make a simple butterfly feeder. Butterflies are not only gorgeous additions to the landscape as they flutter by, but they also serve as important pollinators of flowers and other plants. Help attract them to your yard by planting bright colored flowers, bushes that seem attractive to them, and, of course, making our butterfly feeder.

Supplies:

twine
colorful waterproof beads (that will fit through the twine, such as pony beads)
hole punch or awl
disposable plastic plate (colored is even better)
hanger hook
sugar water nectar*
ripe fruit*
Directions:
1. Take a single hole punch or an awl and make 4 holes in the plastic plate. Space the holes apart equally so the feeder won't be crooked.

2. Next, cut your twine into a foot or a foot and a half long.

3. Now, secure each piece of twine to the hole by tying it tightly, double knotting it.

4. Add your pony beads, however you'd like, to the string. You can make a pattern or make it completely random. If you want you can add glow-in-the-dark, glitter, textured, or even glue small artificial flowers to the beads before adding. Leave a space of 1-2 inches at the top of your string.

5. Tie off the top of the twine, in a secure double knot. Attach your hanger hook to the top of the twine.

6. Add your fruit and/or nectar and hang in a sunny spot.

7. Be sure to regularly change the fruit and nectar to avoid fruit spoilage and flies from gathering.
^{*For the sugar water nectar:

Mix 4 parts fresh water with 1 part raw organic sugar. Boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Be sure to cool your syrupy nectar for your winged friends before adding it to the feeder. Store unused nectar in the fridge for 3 weeks in a clean container.

*For a fruit feeder:

Cut slices of very ripe fruit (watermelon, orange, grapefruit, frozen and then thawed banana, nectarine, strawberry, or peach) and leave on feeder for butterflies. Drizzle nectar around the plate for the butterflies.}

Here at The Florescence Greenhouse, the adopted Leafeon siblings, Rozaedalia and her brother Jadesofivy, teach about gardening and the outdoors. We hope you enjoy your time here & try out some of the green advice they have to offer.

Rozaedalia wants to encourage you to garden more and pass on the love to others. Here's some badges to display!
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