How to Make Lawn Art that Blooms in Spring

Next spring, you and your children could see your lawn blooming with art. Why not begin planting bulbs right now? Even a tot can help draw a heart shape with crocus bulbs. And older children can write their names in bulbs. Often, fall bulb planting involves the naturalizing method, meaning that bulbs are scattered and tossed in handfuls, then planted where they happen to fall. However, for a definite pattern or shape, the trench method or small hole method is used. What better way to introduce children to gardening?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Assorted crocus bulbs
• Spade
• Trowel
• Chalk to draw shape on ground

1. Choose an area where water doesn't collect so the soil has good drainage.
   
   
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2. Choose early flowering bulbs such as crocus (they'll come up before the lawn has to be mowed).

3. Plant now before the first ground-freezing frost.

4. Have your young assistant place the bulbs on the ground in a shape such as a heart.

5. Make small holes or lift the sod and dig a narrow trench in the preferred shape.

6. Plant bulbs point side up, individually or in small groups in the holes or the trench, about 2 or 3 inches deep.

7. Cover each bulb with dirt, and pat it down.

8. 
   In this case, bulbs were scattered, and then the heart was shaped.

   Wait for spring, when you'll be rewarded with a riot of blossoming lawn art that magically appears in bright purple, yellow or multicolors.

Tips & Warnings

• After the crocus bloom, don't cut them back until after they have turned brown. That's the time the roots are developing for next year's blossoming.