This page contains materials shared during our "Seeds of Self-Reliance" Relief Society Activity on April 24, 2014.
Activity Invitations
Whether you live in an apartment, a house, or a townhome, there are lots of creative ways to grow good things to eat! Bring some friends and come taste some of them as you explore:
* Cute and creative techniques for growing things in small spaces
* Simple strategies for sprouting stronger family relationships
* Terrific tips for cultivating a deeper testimony of Jesus Christ
* Fun, fabulous, and free ways to harvest the fruits of your labors for entertaining and home decorating
* Great ideas for getting a garden started (container gardening, herb gardening, square foot gardening)
* Powerful principles for productive planting (attracting beneficial insects, companion planting, etc.)
Join us in the Relief Society Room! A nursery will be provided.
* Cute and creative techniques for growing things in small spaces
* Simple strategies for sprouting stronger family relationships
* Terrific tips for cultivating a deeper testimony of Jesus Christ
* Fun, fabulous, and free ways to harvest the fruits of your labors for entertaining and home decorating
* Great ideas for getting a garden started (container gardening, herb gardening, square foot gardening)
* Powerful principles for productive planting (attracting beneficial insects, companion planting, etc.)
Join us in the Relief Society Room! A nursery will be provided.
Apps & Tech Tools
From Seed to Spoon - This app allows you to see which plants are compatible and which you should avoid planting together (available in Android, iOS, and online)
Burpee Garden Time Planner - Snap a photo of your garden plot with your phone, then select plants and drag and drop them onto your photo to visually design your garden. Plants have animated features that help you to see how their colors will change over time, etc.
Garden Plate (from Burleigh Labs) - Free iOS app containing vegetarian and gluten free recipes with a feature that allows you to add ingredients to your shopping list directly from the recipe.
Gardenize - Android app that helps you plan your garden
iNaturalist - This free app, available for both Android and iOS, allows you to identify plants and animals
LeafSnap - Snap a photo of a plant's leaves and this free app will tell you what it is
Moon and Garden - Free app that allows you to access information and videos about different herbs and vegetables, to set up task lists, and to locate weather information.
MyGarden (from Gardena) - Use this free app to set alarms for watering, fertilizing, etc. Also allows you to take notes re: your garden and see tutorials.
Plan-A-Garden (from Better Homes & Gardens) - Similar to Eden Garden Designer--snap a photo of your garden area, then drag and drop plants onto the photo to visualize your design.
Plant Finder - Put in your hardiness zone (we are Zone 6), select colors, light requirements, high requirements, etc., and this tool will generate a list of plants that meet your specifications
Seasonable Food Guide - An interactive website with information about which foods are in season at various times of the year in the U.S.
Tomato Match (from Fine Gardening) - Free app that will locate suitable varieties of tomatoes for you from a database of at least 99, based on the search parameters you check. (Download from iTunes Store here. Free, web-based version available here)
VegPlotter - A free app that allows you visually plan your garden and then plan what you will plant by month
Burpee Garden Time Planner - Snap a photo of your garden plot with your phone, then select plants and drag and drop them onto your photo to visually design your garden. Plants have animated features that help you to see how their colors will change over time, etc.
Garden Plate (from Burleigh Labs) - Free iOS app containing vegetarian and gluten free recipes with a feature that allows you to add ingredients to your shopping list directly from the recipe.
Gardenize - Android app that helps you plan your garden
iNaturalist - This free app, available for both Android and iOS, allows you to identify plants and animals
LeafSnap - Snap a photo of a plant's leaves and this free app will tell you what it is
Moon and Garden - Free app that allows you to access information and videos about different herbs and vegetables, to set up task lists, and to locate weather information.
MyGarden (from Gardena) - Use this free app to set alarms for watering, fertilizing, etc. Also allows you to take notes re: your garden and see tutorials.
Plan-A-Garden (from Better Homes & Gardens) - Similar to Eden Garden Designer--snap a photo of your garden area, then drag and drop plants onto the photo to visualize your design.
Plant Finder - Put in your hardiness zone (we are Zone 6), select colors, light requirements, high requirements, etc., and this tool will generate a list of plants that meet your specifications
Seasonable Food Guide - An interactive website with information about which foods are in season at various times of the year in the U.S.
Tomato Match (from Fine Gardening) - Free app that will locate suitable varieties of tomatoes for you from a database of at least 99, based on the search parameters you check. (Download from iTunes Store here. Free, web-based version available here)
VegPlotter - A free app that allows you visually plan your garden and then plan what you will plant by month
Children's Activities
Activity Pages, Brainteasers, & Puzzles
A Tasty Goal - Find the two rows of fruits and vegetables that are alike (from the Friend, March 2023)
Blooming Service - A brainteaser about garden planting (from the Friend, November, 2018)
Butterfly Photo Puzzle - (See p. 2) (From Montessori For Everyone)
Gardening Time - A "secret alphabet code" puzzle page that children use to find out the names of various vegetables (from the April 2009 Friend)
Hidden Picture - Family Gardening - Find the 26 letters of the alphabet hidden in this picture of a family gardening together (from The Friend, June 2010)
Scripture Garden - Read scripture clues to solve the puzzle (Friend, August 2004)
Arts & Crafts
Bubble Paint Flower Craft for Kids - Kids blow paint bubbles onto paper and cut out leaves to make these cute flower bouquets (from My Joyfilled Life)
Flower Crafts - A lengthy blog post with tons of photos of really cute flower crafts
Homemade Bird Feeder from Vintage Tea Cups
Lettuce Flower Paintings
Terrarium Centerpieces
Vegetables Above & Below Ground - Paper plate craft in which children sort vegetables that grow above the ground from vegetables that grow below it
Children's Books
Science by the Season: Explore the four seasons through hands-on experiments and outdoor activities
Educational Printables
Gardening for Beginners Handouts (free coloring pages about easy houseplants, herbs and vegetables, and succulents that are easy for beginners to grow
Bird Printables (from 1+1)
Free Gardening Printables for Kids (from the Kitchengarten)
From Plant to Food - Images showing plants and the foods that come from them (from Montessori for Everyone)
Garden Tools Colored Flashcards
Herbal Profile Template (from Herbalrootszine.com) - A 2-page worksheet that allows children (or adults) to create profiles of different herbs for in-depth learning
Life Cycle of an Apple Photo Cards - From Montessori for Everyone
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin Photo Cards - From Montessori for Everyone
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary Printable
Plant Observation Journal - Science worksheet with space for children to draw the daily growth of their seed, write down observations, etc.
Plant Parts, Plant Needs (from LiveWorksheets) - Children cut out the words and paste them into the appropriate columns
Seed Matching Activity - Match the seeds from fruits and vegetables to their photos
Seed Story Sequence Cards - From Montessori for Everyone
What Goes First Picture Sequencing Activity - Put the stages of a seed's life in order (See original blog post here)
Whole & Half Fruit Photo Cards - Great for showing seeds inside common fruits (From Montessori for Everyone)
Hands-on Activities
Carrots for the Rabbit - Children make playdough carrots for use on this playdough mat (from Pre-Kinders)
Flower Counting Game (& Game Pieces)
Garden-themed Bath Time - See also Themed Bath Times for more cute ideas for kids
Herbal Bingo (from Herbalrootszine.com) - A bingo card with colored images of various herbs
Herbs of Spring Scavenger Hunt - A black and white printable with line drawings of common Spring herbs
Safari Grass
What's in the Tub ~ Birds - Ideas for a sensory bin filled with items related to birds, trees, etc.
Winter Plant ID Scavenger Hunt - A black and white printable with line drawings of common herbs found in winter
Poems
In the Garden - Cute action poem (See also this poem)
Let's Plant a Garden - Cute action poem with pictures (Friend, May 2008)
Songs (about Gardening, Plants, Seeds, and Trees)
Birds in the Tree, p. 241
Faith, Children's Songbook, pp. 96-97
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-often-go-walking?lang=engI Often Go Walking, Children's Songbook, p. 202
In the Leafy Treetops, Children's Songbook, p. 240
Little Purple Pansies, Children's Songbook, p. 244
Little Seeds Lie Fast Asleep, Children's Songbook, p. 243
On a Golden Springtime, Children's Songbook, p. 88
The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden, Children's Songbook, p. 237
Stories
A Garden Full of Blessings - A story about the need for bees to pollinate plants (Friend, March 2014)
Garden Plots - A story about how weeds steal nutrients from plants (Friend, May 1998)
Growing in the Garden - A story about how a little boy helps weed his grandparents' garden (Friend, June 2016)
Growing Relationships - Three stories about being blessed for following the prophet and planting a garden (Ensign, April 2013)
Mommy's Flower Garden - A story for young children about how a little boy draws a picture of his mother's garden to help her feel better (Friend, January 2015)
The Butterfly Garden - A story about how a peaceful visit to a butterfly garden is like visiting the temple (Friend, July 2022)
Testimony Plants - A story about growing a testimony (Friend, January 2019)
Videos
Sid, the Seed - The story of a seed who learns about change and growth through his adventures
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Family Home Evening Resources
Faith is Like a Little Seed Printable
Family Home Evening Outline: Plant a Garden
Family Home Evening Resources: Gardening in Containers
Stamped Spoon Plant Markers
20 DIY Garden Markers
Family Home Evening Outline: Plant a Garden
Family Home Evening Resources: Gardening in Containers
Stamped Spoon Plant Markers
20 DIY Garden Markers
Handouts & Resources
Common Kitchen Herbs & Uses
Companion Planting Chart - Downloadable PDF of a great chart that shows which plants grow well together, and which combinations to avoid
Eat Seasonably - A chart that shows which fruits and vegetables are in season in the UK at various times of year
Gardening Calendars - Printable calendars that show when to plant various annuals, herbs, perennials, and vegetables
Herbs That Heal - A list of 10 herbs that can be used to treat many common health issues
Optimal Soil Temperatures for Seed Germination Chart
Fruit, Vegetable, & Herb Growing Guides - Information about where to plant, how to care for the plants, and harvesting information for bulbs, fruits, herbs, perennials, trees and shrubs, and vegetables (from the Utah State University Extension Office)
Starting Plants from Seed (from Cornell University Department of Horticulture)
When to Plant Vegetable Seeds - Seed starter charts by temperature (for both indoors and outdoors)
Companion Planting Chart - Downloadable PDF of a great chart that shows which plants grow well together, and which combinations to avoid
Eat Seasonably - A chart that shows which fruits and vegetables are in season in the UK at various times of year
Gardening Calendars - Printable calendars that show when to plant various annuals, herbs, perennials, and vegetables
Herbs That Heal - A list of 10 herbs that can be used to treat many common health issues
Optimal Soil Temperatures for Seed Germination Chart
Fruit, Vegetable, & Herb Growing Guides - Information about where to plant, how to care for the plants, and harvesting information for bulbs, fruits, herbs, perennials, trees and shrubs, and vegetables (from the Utah State University Extension Office)
Starting Plants from Seed (from Cornell University Department of Horticulture)
When to Plant Vegetable Seeds - Seed starter charts by temperature (for both indoors and outdoors)
Gardening Tips
- Collect rainwater to water your garden.
- Plant what you already buy.
- Use white distilled vinegar as a pesticide.
- When planning a garden, think: sun, soil, size, site, and selection.
- Collect rainwater to water your garden.
Herb Gardening
Container Herb Gardens: How to Grow Potted Herbs in 6 Easy Steps - Basic instructions for choosing containers, location, soil mix, etc. (from How to Culinary Herb Garden)
Growing Herbs - A 3-page visual introduction to herb gardening (from Berkeley University)
Growing Herbs in Containers: 10 Easy Tips - A very useful list of tips (from Ecogardner)
Herb Garden Plant Stakes (from Amy Bayliss)
Herbal Page Template - A two-page worksheet for recording everything you learn about each herb you explore (from Herbalrootszine)
10 Herbs That Heal - A one-page visual (from Organic Grill on Facebook)
How to Dry & Store Herbs - One page visual with very easy instructions for drying herbs for later use (from The Spruce)
Herbs in a Teacup - Instructions for planting herbs in a teacup (from Intimate Weddings)
No Blanche Freezing Produce Quick Guide - A 1-page, visual guide with instructions for freezing various types of produce (from Pinterest)
Spiral Herb Garden Tutorial - Simple steps and illustrations show how to use gravity in a spiral herb garden to ensure that plants that need the most water receive it, without drowning your others (from Gardening Solutions)
Growing Herbs - A 3-page visual introduction to herb gardening (from Berkeley University)
Growing Herbs in Containers: 10 Easy Tips - A very useful list of tips (from Ecogardner)
Herb Garden Plant Stakes (from Amy Bayliss)
Herbal Page Template - A two-page worksheet for recording everything you learn about each herb you explore (from Herbalrootszine)
10 Herbs That Heal - A one-page visual (from Organic Grill on Facebook)
How to Dry & Store Herbs - One page visual with very easy instructions for drying herbs for later use (from The Spruce)
Herbs in a Teacup - Instructions for planting herbs in a teacup (from Intimate Weddings)
No Blanche Freezing Produce Quick Guide - A 1-page, visual guide with instructions for freezing various types of produce (from Pinterest)
Spiral Herb Garden Tutorial - Simple steps and illustrations show how to use gravity in a spiral herb garden to ensure that plants that need the most water receive it, without drowning your others (from Gardening Solutions)
Ideas for Entertaining
Centerpieces & Decorating Ideas (Garden-themed)
Artichoke and asparagus candle holders
Cabbage Dip Bowls
Fun Floral Straws (How-to Instructions)
Flower bouquets in cabbage pots
Terra Cotta Serving Ware
Vegetable Harvest Basket Display
Vegetable Bouquets in Vases
Vegetable Crate Displays
Vegetable Vases
Veggie Wedding Decor
Food Serving Ideas
Carrots with dip in mini terra cotta pots
Garden Party Inspiration - Cute ideas for flower cookies, serving candy, sprout cupcakes, and more
Mini-veggie Dip Sliced Bread Bowls
Skinny Layered Vegetable Salad (from Betty Crocker)
Sweet Sprout Cupcakes
Veggie Bowls
Artichoke and asparagus candle holders
Cabbage Dip Bowls
Fun Floral Straws (How-to Instructions)
Flower bouquets in cabbage pots
Terra Cotta Serving Ware
Vegetable Harvest Basket Display
Vegetable Bouquets in Vases
Vegetable Crate Displays
Vegetable Vases
Veggie Wedding Decor
Food Serving Ideas
Carrots with dip in mini terra cotta pots
Garden Party Inspiration - Cute ideas for flower cookies, serving candy, sprout cupcakes, and more
Mini-veggie Dip Sliced Bread Bowls
Skinny Layered Vegetable Salad (from Betty Crocker)
Sweet Sprout Cupcakes
Veggie Bowls
Recipes
Basil Hummus with Pita Chips
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Sugar Walnut Sage Butter
Chicken Pasta Primavera
Cool Cilantro Dip (Scroll to bottom of page - it is titled Cool Cucumber Dip)
Creamy Dill Cucumber Toasties
Cucumber Mint Sandwiches
English Muffin Pizzas
Four Ingredient Pesto in Four Easy Steps - Simple recipe (only 4 ingredients!) with illustrated, step-by-step, instructions
Fresh Herb Muffins
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
Green Goddess Dipping Sauce
Herb Butter
Herb Nibblers
Lavender Tea Cookies
Mostly Raw Pad Thai Salad
Ottolenghi's Very Full Roasted Vegetable Tart
Penne Bosciaola
Pesto Herb Spread
Pesto Wedding Tarts
Pineapple & Papaya Mint Chutney
Roasted Eggplant with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Rosemary & Chive Garlic Crushed Potatoes
Rosemary Goat Cheese Muffins
Rosemary Onion Tart
Spicy Thai Pineapple Wraps
Summer Squash Lattice Tart
Sweet Zuchinni Cupcakes
Tarragon Tuna Salad on Whole-wheat Mini-bagels
Thai Chicken Salad
Zucchini and Basil Muffins (with Bacon)
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Sugar Walnut Sage Butter
Chicken Pasta Primavera
Cool Cilantro Dip (Scroll to bottom of page - it is titled Cool Cucumber Dip)
Creamy Dill Cucumber Toasties
Cucumber Mint Sandwiches
English Muffin Pizzas
Four Ingredient Pesto in Four Easy Steps - Simple recipe (only 4 ingredients!) with illustrated, step-by-step, instructions
Fresh Herb Muffins
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
Green Goddess Dipping Sauce
Herb Butter
Herb Nibblers
Lavender Tea Cookies
Mostly Raw Pad Thai Salad
Ottolenghi's Very Full Roasted Vegetable Tart
Penne Bosciaola
Pesto Herb Spread
Pesto Wedding Tarts
Pineapple & Papaya Mint Chutney
Roasted Eggplant with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Rosemary & Chive Garlic Crushed Potatoes
Rosemary Goat Cheese Muffins
Rosemary Onion Tart
Spicy Thai Pineapple Wraps
Summer Squash Lattice Tart
Sweet Zuchinni Cupcakes
Tarragon Tuna Salad on Whole-wheat Mini-bagels
Thai Chicken Salad
Zucchini and Basil Muffins (with Bacon)
Resources
Scriptures & Talks (Garden-themed)
Topic: Sowing Seeds of Faith & Testimony
Church News
Planting the Seeds of Self-Reliance
Ensign Articles
Planting Gospel Seeds of Spirituality by Elder David B. Haight in 1972
Seeds of Self-Reliance by Allie Schulte in 2011
Lessons
Lesson 25: Home Gardening (From The Latter-day Saint Woman Manual)
Poems
Judging by W. Timothy Gallwey (designed to be printed on paper with a rose on the left-hand side)
Scriptures
Faith as the Grain of a Mustard Seed: Matthew 17:20
Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23
Law of the Harvest: Doctrine & Covenants 6:33
Law of Work: Doctrine & Covenants 42:42
Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23
Seeds of Faith: Alma 32:28-43
Songs
We are Sowing - Hymn #216
Talks
Faith & the Seed (Use in conjunction with Doctrine & Covenants 29:34, then discuss what gardening teaches us about cultivating strong testimonies)
Videos
The Gardener - A gardener anxiously awaits the return of the head of the house
Church News
Planting the Seeds of Self-Reliance
Ensign Articles
Planting Gospel Seeds of Spirituality by Elder David B. Haight in 1972
Seeds of Self-Reliance by Allie Schulte in 2011
Lessons
Lesson 25: Home Gardening (From The Latter-day Saint Woman Manual)
Poems
Judging by W. Timothy Gallwey (designed to be printed on paper with a rose on the left-hand side)
Scriptures
Faith as the Grain of a Mustard Seed: Matthew 17:20
Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23
Law of the Harvest: Doctrine & Covenants 6:33
Law of Work: Doctrine & Covenants 42:42
Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23
Seeds of Faith: Alma 32:28-43
Songs
We are Sowing - Hymn #216
Talks
Faith & the Seed (Use in conjunction with Doctrine & Covenants 29:34, then discuss what gardening teaches us about cultivating strong testimonies)
Videos
The Gardener - A gardener anxiously awaits the return of the head of the house
Tutorials
Container Gardening
Square Foot Gardening
Square Foot Gardening
Square Foot Gardening Basics (from a handout on community gardening)
Square Foot Gardening & Composting Handout from BYU Continuing Education - Contains the 10 basics
Square Foot Gardening Supply List
Square Foot Gardening
Square Foot Gardening Basics (from a handout on community gardening)
Square Foot Gardening & Composting Handout from BYU Continuing Education - Contains the 10 basics
Square Foot Gardening Supply List