I am going to use our special holiday blend to make my wreaths, but you can use any seed you wish. If you use a bigger seed (i.e. sunflower) you may need to slightly increase dissolved gelatin levels used.

Making a birdseed wreath is an easy and fun project to do with kids, or on your own. Not to mention, if your wreaths don’t work out we have an easy way for you to cheat!

Materials:

• (4) Cups of Holiday Bird Seed (or seed of your choice).

Our Holiday Bird Seed is fun and colorful and is on sale for only $2.99 a bag!

• One Box of Clear Gelatin (1 oz total)

Gelatine can be found in baking isle in your local grocery store for around $1.29 a box.

• (2) approx. 6″ Bunt pans (your choice of size and shape)

No bunt pan-no problem! I purchased these at a local thrift store for .99 cents each.

• (3/4) Cup Water
• Small mixing bowl
• Small Saucepan and Large pot for mixing seed

The mixture cleans up really easy-so no worries for your pans!

• Raffia ribbon ($2.99 for a large bag found at all of our stores)
• Cookie Sheet

Step 1: Mix 1/4 cup water and two .25 oz packets of gelatin into the small mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon and let set for one minute.

It is very important to mix the gelatin well and to let it sit for one minute before moving on-otherwise your seed will not set properly.

Step 2: Boil 1/2 cup water. Pour into setting gelatin and stir until dissolved.

Dissolve the gelatin into boiling water fully as you stir.

Step 3: Pour dissolved gelatin water into large mixing pan. Immediately begin to pour and stir in 4 cups of measured birdseed.

Poor seed slowing into dissolved gelatin mixing as you go.

Step 4: Continue to turn seed into gelatin, making sure all seeds have been coated.

Stir seed until it has been fully covered in dissolved gelatin.

Step 5: Spoon mixture into bunt pans. This recipe makes about 2, 6″ wreaths. Use wax paper to push and compact seed.

Compact seed into mold by presing firmly with wax paper. Smooth out bumps and holes on back as well.

Step 6: Place in refrigerator for 4 hours.

Your seed will be firm yet slightly maluable. Be sure not to pick them up before they go through the drying process.

Step 7: Remove from pans onto cookie sheet. Turn upside down and use a bit of force when placeing on cookie sheet-they should pop out easily. If you used metal bunt pans you may need to soak bottoms in hot water for 1 minute to release the wreath.

If you have used metal bunt pans, you may need to soak your wreaths in hot water for one minute to help them release from the mold.

Step 8: Set in a cool/cold location for 24 hrs to dry (I set mine outside and it worked fine). Note: The refrigerator is too damp to allow complete drying, choose an area such as your garage, basement or outside instead.

It takes about 24hrs for your wreaths to set. Don't try to move them as you will cause the gelatin to pull apart.

Step 9: Tie raffia ribbon around top half of wreath. Try to spread ribbon out so it is not just pulling on one spot.

You can make your raffia as simple or complex as you wish. Try tying a bow, or using red raffia for extra color. I choose raffia because it will decompose naturally and birds can use it to make nests in the spring.

Step 10: Enjoy watching birds eat from your creations!

The birds were camera shy...but love the wreath. It has even held up through our recent rain and bad weather!

Note: You don’t have to use a bunt pan if your don’t want to make a wreath. You can also use small cake pans, bread pans to make bird seed blocks.

Setting a block of seed in an area that is protected will make birds feel at ease when feeding.

If all goes well: I have seen so may birds eating off the wreaths I put up last week including Chickadees, Nuthatches (Rose-breasted too!), Titmouse, Downy/Hairy Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens and even finches.

If all dosn’t go well: We still have our Holiday Birdseed Wreaths for sale, and they are on special for only $9.99!

Lets face it... sometimes buying is easier than making!

Happy Holidays, and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Properly dried gourds will show the markings left by mold, be hollow, hard and lightweight.

Gourds dry the best when left on the vine, but today most of us purchase our gourds. If you are growing your own, simply leave them on the vine and on the ground there is no reason to protect them from the damp ground.

If you are like me and purchase your gourds, it can be a bit more difficult. Gourds that are picked before maturity will be more likely to rot. If you have gourds that you want to keep, don’t bring them inside. They need good airflow, and lots of it.  Putting them in a cellar, garage or basement will cause them to rot for sure (If you have a very small number of them, you may be able of getting away it though). Gourds will do best if left out in the elements to dry; rain and freezing temps will not hurt them.

All sizes of gourds can be dried. Some people hang them, while others put them on pallets or leave them on the ground to dry.

Never scrape the outer skin from your gourd. This is the gourds protection from insects, mold and other forms of decay. It also allows the gourd to breath, letting the liquids inside escape. It is also a bad idea to cut holes in your gourd to remove the insides, again this will only promote decay, not curing. Some people who are more experienced know that you can scrape hard-shell gourds, but it is not recommended for the beginner.

As your gourd begins to cure, you will notice large spots of mold. Black mold, grey mold and white mold all over the skin. This is completely normal, and they should not be cleaned. This is only part of the process, and it will only return if you do. If you notice any soft spots on them, discard them immediately. They are giving off Ethylene gas, which is a chemical signal for fruits and vegetables to rot. Mulch them, or put them out for animals to enjoy.

Gourd paintig showing mold by Hanna Richards.

The chances of you having a few gourds that rot are pretty high. If they have not been left on the vine long enough they will not have received enough hardening agent to counteract bacteria. You will probably loose about 5-10% to rot (if you catch it early).

Birdhouse gourds (Langenaria) are about 90% water. Lots of people actually do drill small holes in the bottoms of these gourds and hang them to dry. This is not recommend for inside as they will cause a big mess. Eventually the water will stop though, so if you are willing to deal with the mess for awhile, the ease of hanging them in the garage may be beneficial. Again be careful of rot. If you can make sure there is ventilation and airflow.

This is a decorative approach to hanging gourds. However until mostly dried they should be hung individually to prevent soft spots.

A larger gourd will take 3-6 months to fully dry. They will be lightweight, and you will be able to hear the seeds raddle inside. The possibilities are endless and fun when dealing with decorating dried gourds-so have fun and enjoy the benefits of your patience!

A small cast leaf of a Rex Begonia.

Choose your own leaf from a wide variety of Flowerland houseplants and trees, and then make a permanent, stylish casting with a wide variety of uses.

Choose your own leaves, large or small.

The Leaf Casting class in action. A great idea for clubs, friends and families in need of a new and fun activity to do together.

Prepping the concrete.

Classes are small with about 10-15 students per session, which make it great for birthdays, garden groups, and as a family activity. Flowerlands houseplant specialist, Sandi Miller will guide you through the process step-by-step so there is no need to worry about the technicality’s, you can just concentrate on your creation…

Preparing the sand bed that will support the leaves.

Elephant ears ready to be cast.

Applying the concrete.

Leaves take 48 hours to cure, but once they have cured they are weather resistant and strong enough to be used as stepping stones. Plan on picking up your stones after they have finished curing.

The class is $20 per person,  includes all materials and runs about three hours. You will need to bring your own pair of latex gloves. The last class session  is  October 17th, from 9-noon,  so make your plans ASAP!

Class members working on their castings.

Contact Sandi at our Kentwood location to make your reservations. (616) 942-5321.

The final product can be left natural or painted; either way is beautiful!