Empty Tomb Garden {DIY}

We ought to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ: in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection: by whom we
have been saved and delivered (Gal. 6:14). May God have mercy on
us, and bless us: may He cause the light of His countenance to shine
upon us, and may He have mercy on us (Ps. 66:2). ~ Introit from Holy Thursday

 

We’re entering deeper into Lent – Holy Week with another family tradition. This year we skipped on the wheat grass because the only thing I seem to be able to grow these days is my lil’ one due in weeks.

Below are more pics of our Empty Tomb Gardens over the years and a brief tutorial to make your own Empty Tomb Garden, just in time for Easter Sunday and the complete Easter season.

 

A reminder. “Let us hope that, by God’s mercy, the holy time we are now entering upon will work such a happy change in us, that, on the day of judgment, we may confidently fix our eyes on Him we are now about to contemplate crucified by the hands of sinners. The death of Jesus puts the whole of nature in commotion; the midday sun is darkened, the earth is shaken to its very foundations, the rocks are split: may it be that our hearts, too, be moved, and pass from indifference to fear, from fear to hope, and, at length, from hope to love; so that, having gone down, with our Crucified, to the very depths of sorrow, we may deserve to rise again with Him unto light and joy, beaming with the brightness of His Resurrection, and having within ourselves the pledge of a new life, which shall then die no more!” ~ The Liturgical Year of Don Gueranger

This is a wonderful Lenten/Easter project for the entire family.  All ages will enjoy it.  The Empty Tomb Garden provides a visual reminder of what we are preparing for during Lent, Christ’s Resurrection.

An Easter garden has three essential features:  a mound with at least one cross to represent Calvary; a stone or stone structure to suggest the empty tomb; and lots of live greenery/flowers.

The children will have an opportunity to tend and nurture their gardens during Lent and beyond.  They can meditate on Christ’s passion and offer an ejaculation while tending to their garden.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

The grass will grow within days.  It is wheat grass and can be eaten.  It symbolizes new life.

The children will remove the stone on Easter morning, reveal the buried Alleluia, and rejoice!

 

 

 

DIY EMPTY TOMB GARDEN TUTORIAL

SUPPLIES:

(supplies/prices listed are for a large group of children)

Garden

• Seed Starting Jiffy Mix ($3.80/bag – 1 bag made 14 mini gardens)
• Decorative rocks ($5.59/large bag of Mountain Granite from HomeDepot – 80+mini gardens.  $1/small bag of decorative rocks from the Dollar Store – 2-3 mini gardens)
• Gravel (this is used as a bottom layer, not much is needed.  I took my rock from my home garden)
• Wheat Berry ($.77/lb – 2lbs – 40 mini gardens.  I found my wheat berries at Winco in the bulk bin foods.)
• Dessert Plastic Plates or shallow pots ($9.89/100 plates.  I used plastic plates because they were the most economical choice for a large group.  I found my plates at Smart-n-Final)
• Mini Terracotta Pots ($.24/ea at WalMart)

Crosses

• Popsicle sticks ($1/150 sticks at the Dollar Store)
• Brown Paint
• Hot Glue Gun

Misc.

• Water
• Bucket
• Spray Bottle
• Hand Shovel

 

 

DIRECTIONS:

Garden

1. mix the seed starter/soil with water
2. position tomb/terracotta pot in the desired location on plate/pot
3. lay down the gravel on the plate, securing the pot into place.slightly build up the gravel for your hill.
4. top the gravel with soil
5. cover the entire soil with the wheat berries.  press the wheat berries into the soil.
6. add a layer of soil on top of the wheat berries.  press down firmly.  (this step is optional.  it will slow the growth of the wheat grass.)
7. clean the plate.  remove the wheat berries from areas that you do not want grass to grow.
8. create a path from the tomb with decorative rocks.  this represents how the disciples ran to the tomb on Easter morning.  add decorative rocks as desired
9. insert the crosses

The grass grows faster with less top soil.  The garden on the left of both pictures had a thick top soil packed tightly over the wheat berries.

 

Almighty and ever living God, whose Son Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in a garden and called her to be the first witness of his Resurrection:  we beseech thee to bless this humble garden wherein we have a remembrance of the mighty acts by which we have been saved; grant that all those who see it may ponder and adore the glory of the Cross and the mystery of his Resurrection and may sing with joy the victory hymn; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen ~Station at an Easter Garden

 

Empty Tomb/Easter Gardens:

• Easter Garden I – Catholic Culture
• Easter Garden II – Catholic Culture
• Calvary Hill Planting
• Make an Easter Garden: A Visual Parable