sprouting birthday cards

Why not give your friends and family birthday cards with a difference? Sticking on seeds in the shape of their initials, or perhaps their age, makes a lovely greeting that they can also grow and then eat. It will make their birthday last much longer!

You will need

• ✿ letter size (A4) card
• ✿ scissors
• ✿ pen
• ✿ sharp pencil

• 

• ✿ modeling clay
• ✿ colored letter size (A4) card
• ✿ 4 paper clips
• ✿ tablespoon
• ✿ sugar
• ✿ flour
• ✿ plastic bowl
• ✿ small pitcher
• ✿ paintbrush
• ✿ cress seeds
• ✿ envelope

Step 1

To make your template, take the piece of card and cut it in half widthwise. Decide on the shape, number, or letter that you want to create and draw this on the card. Make sure that you leave a space around the edges and try to make your design nice and bold.

Step 2

Cut out the shape carefully with scissors. You can make a hole to start cutting by pushing a sharp pencil through the card into a ball of modeling clay. If the shape, letter, or number has a middle section, remember to leave some card to attach to this so that the template is all in one piece.

Step 3

Take your piece of colored card and fold it in half widthwise. Write your birthday message inside. Don’t forget to write the instructions for growing your seeds as well. Why not write something like this: “You can grow this card. Just put it in a shallow dish, cover it with a little potting mix, and give it some water. In a few days, you will have some lovely cress to add to your sandwiches.”

Step 4

When you have written the intriguing greeting in your card, use paper clips to attach the template to the front of it.

Step 5

Mix together a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour in a plastic bowl. Slowly pour in a little water from the pitcher, a few drips at a time, and mix together with the paintbrush until you have a smooth paste.

Step 6

Carefully paint the sugar-and-flour paste onto the letter or number shape with the paintbrush. Try to apply the paste to the card as neatly and evenly as you can.

Step 7

Take your cress seeds and sprinkle them over the paste until you have completely covered the shape. You can collect any fallen seeds and sprinkle them on again if they don’t stick very well at first.

Step 8

Leave the paste to dry and then take off the paper clips and template. You can now put your card in its envelope ready for the lucky recipient.

Try this... As well as cress seeds, you can also use other small seeds, such as cilantro (coriander), dill, or radish, which can be harvested as delicious microleaves.