Earth Day 2014

writing plant labels

Happy Earth Day!

How to spend Earth Day? We were lucky. It was an inset day (teacher training day) for all the children. We had time.

(spot the recycled plant label)

planting on Earth Day

We spent most of the day at @Bristol, testing out all the wonderful science exhibitions. Then home for some planting and recycling. Just perfect for Earth Day.

(spot the recycled plant pots)

geranium cuttings

Time to plant Achimenes rhizomes gifted by their Grandpa. Time for me to pot up the geranium cuttings that the pup kindly gathered for me. They’ve been sitting on the kitchen windowsill in a jam jar filled with water. Impressive roots have grown, hopefully guaranteeing them a good, new start.

(Spot the recycled jam jar)

recycle drink carton

We spent time discussing how we would like to be more green. We made a list of things that we could change. As a family. One big change will be reducing the amount of packaging we buy. Part of my Becoming a greener me.

Where we cannot reduce, then we’d like to give as much of the packaging, a second life or three, before it’s binned. Today, we started off with the smoothie containers that made up part of our picnic today. (Already bought by the time we sat down and composed our list.)

So here is our step-by-step guide to making a bird feeder from a drink carton.

drink's carton recycled 1

drink's carton recycled 2

drink's carton recycled 3

Thread a loop of garden twine through the hole and tie a knot.

drink's carton recycled 4

All ready to fill with seeds and hang up on a hawthorn tree which is a favourite haunt of our local sparrows.

Not a bad Earth Day. Recycling, planting, planning and encouraging the local wildlife.

 

How did you spend your day?

 

I should just add that any brand of drinks container should work. I did not receive these free of charge. The children  loved the combination of kiwi and strawberry. We may try and make our own. Next time!

 

 

 

8 comments

  1. Those bird feeders are ingenious and look so easy to make! We have a problem with mice in our garden – coming in off the fields – so this would be a great solution! #MBPW

    1. Still get the problem with birds spilling the contents, but should stop the mice raiding the feeders themselves.

  2. Great idea for a bird feeder! I would have a problem with the outer side of the cartons though and want to paint them I think… but such a good idea! Tetrapaks are hard to recycle

    1. Fortunately its in part of the garden that is quiet and the birds don’t mind. Thought of painting, but kind of worried about adding more chemicals to the mix. We are lucky that the tetrapaks can go in our recycling box. These will eventually, but in the meantime the birds can make use of them.

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