Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society
Plant and Grow - Gardening for Children

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Things to do at any time

Making grass-heads and funny faces What do we need to start? - Pair of old nylon tights - Elastic bands or string - Medium size (15 to 18cm diameter) flower pot - Coloured plastic containers to cut into shapes - Coloured felt pens - Scissors - Grass seeds - Potting compost (moist not wet) - Time 30 to 60 minutes

Follow the instructions:

1. Use the scissors carefully to cut the nylon tights into 20 to 30cm tubular pieces. Tie-off one end to form a small pouch. Stretch the nylon material over a medium size flower pot with the knot facing upwards in the middle of the pot.

2. Sprinkle a small amount of grass seed over the surface of the tights. Cover this with potting compost ensuring that the weight of the compost pushes the nylon pouch into the flower pot. When the compost has completely filled the pot, pull the nylon off the rim of the pot and tie-off the loose end with an elastic band or piece of string. You should now have a ball of compost with the knot at its top (unseen) and the elastic band/string at the bottom.

3. With your fingers take a small amount of nylon and compost halfway between the top and bottom knot and twist it to form a small ball. This will be the nose for your head. Put an elastic band around the nose so it will keep its shape.

4. Repeat the operation to form two ears making sure that the nose and ears are in the correct position for your face.

5. Water the head so that the compost becomes moist and pliable but not soggy. Using your fingers you can now add shape to the head making it longer or rounder.

6. Use the scissors to carefully cut the plastic containers into shapes for eyes and a mouth for the face. The eyes and mouth can look more realistic with the help of some artwork using the coloured felt pens. Once completed display the grass-head on top of an up-side-down flower pot.

7. In 2 to 3 weeks the grass seed will start growing. Keep the compost moist and regularly trim the growing grass to the ‘hair-style’ you want. Making a grass-head is great fun and it will last a long time if you look after it. Why not make a family or a football team.