This week's fun activity... Valentine Seed Paper

Create now and plant in pots in sunny window or in the ground after the frost. Seed paper is an excellent way to reuse and recycle old paper that might end up in the trash! Seed paper is biodegradable and provides a medium for seeds to sprout. Seed paper also makes great valentines!

Materials: Paper (uncoated – not shiny; newspaper, tissue paper, construction paper, etc.) Food coloring (optional) Blender Seeds (Wildflower seed packets, cat grass, small vegetable seeds – aim for small seeds) Bowl Cookie Cutters Towel

Step 1 - Tear Cut or tear your paper into small pieces.  The smaller the better, as that will reduce the strain on the blender. Place these pieces into a large bowl.

Step 2 – Soak Add enough water to the bowl to completely submerge and cover your shredded paper. Let soak for at lease an hour, though longer (including overnight) would work better. Tip: If you are using white paper, add color by using food coloring.  If you started with dark paper (like brown paper bags) it is difficult to color. Construction paper also is a way to provide color without food coloring.

Step 3 - Blend Place your paper mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until it’s a fluffy pulp.  You may need to add more water to help blend your mixture.

Step 4 – Mix Move your paper pulp to your bowl, taking care to gently squeeze out some of the water.  Do not over-squeeze! You want your mixture to be damp, just not dripping wet.  Add seeds to your mixture. Small seeds will work best, larger seeds like sunflower tend to break or be crushed.  Using your hands, gently mix and fold the seeds into the pulp.

Step 5 – Press Lay out an old towel on a flat surface. Place a cookie cutter on the towel and add some of your seed pulp.  Gently press and pack seed pulp into the cookie cutter to form a firm shape. Use a small towel, sponge, or paper towel to press down the shape and absorb excess water.  When the shape is firm and slightly drier, carefully remove the cookie cutter. Repeat as needed to use all the seed pulp.

Step 6 – Dry Leave your seed paper shapes to dry on the towel. If necessary, transfer them to plastic wrap or parchment paper once they are mostly dry and “set” but before they dry and become attached to the towel. You can also lay a towel or parchment paper over the top of the shapes and place a book to press them. This helps prevent curled edges as the paper dries. Tip: You can speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer!  Gently air dry your paper on the “cool” setting.

Step 7 – Plant If you made seed paper with “indoor” seeds like cat grass; your shapes can be planted in a pot inside anytime! Otherwise, keep your seed paper dry until the danger of frost is over and plant it outside. The paper will absorb water and help the seeds sprout!

FEBRUARY ADULT EDUCATION Stepping Stone Make-at-home Kit $25/member, $30/public Create beautiful garden stepping stones from concrete and ceramics at home! Mix, pour, smash, arrange and set all in the comfort of home.  All supplies and directions provided in this take home kit.

TAKE-HOME KIT PICK UP TIMES ON OUR WEBSITE MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED Registration/information for all walks and drive through kits here, or by calling 414-525-5653 or 414-525-5659

FBBG Memberships: Great All Year Round! All FBBG members receive: Unlimited access to the Gardens A 10% discount in Nell's Garden Cafe' Discounts on FBBG classes, special events and in our Gift Shop on select stock items. Free admission to over 300 AHS gardens nationwide... Including Chicago Botanic, Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden, Illinois' Morton Arboretum and the Florida Botanical Gardens! FBBG's In Season Newsletter Membership Appreciation Event...and more! MEMBER LEVELS: Individual $35 One Membership Admission Card & (1) One-time Guest Pass Individual +1 $50 Two Membership Admission Cards & (2) One-time Guest Passes Family $65 Two Membership Admission Cards - Good for two adults and three children under 17 & (3) One-time Guest Passes Donor level memberships are also available starting at $100. For more information, please call the FBBG office at 414-525-5653. Become a Member Now!

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are closed for the season. The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced. Be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!