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The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

Easter Garden tutorial (Empty tomb garden)

April 6, 2012

Welcome to all of you that are finding this post on Pinterest or Facebook.  I am so glad you found me.  I blog about all kinds of frugal home and DIY projects, yard sale and thrift store finds, crafts, and the occasional recipe.  If you enjoyed this post, make sure to follow my blog by subscribing by email, or following me on Instagram, facebook, twitter, or Pinterest so you can see future projects.

I have some Frugal Finds that I can’t wait to share with you, but I didn’t want today (Good Friday) to pass by without me sharing an Easter themed fun project I did with my nieces a week or so ago.

My friend Christa wrote a great post on the significance of Good Friday in our lives.  I love how she says, “This weekend defines the existence of my entire life.”  And she is so right.  Because on Good Friday, my Lord was crucified on a tree for ME… to take my place…to give to me eternal life.  BUT unlike any other god, HE didn’t stay dead but arose from the grave three days later which is why we celebrate EASTER.  Without this weekend, I would have no hope, no joy, no peace of having my sins forgiven and an eternal home in heaven.  So this weekend is very important to me and I hope to you too.

Last weekend, my 2 little nieces spent the weekend with me.  We had two “night-night parties” as they call them, and we had a blast! Smile  We painted nails and toenails, ate ice cream, grilled hotdogs, made nachos for dinner, went shopping at yard sales, and did lots of playing outside.

And we did this Easter Garden project that I had found floating around Pinterest.

Easter Garden tutorial

Here’s what you need:

  • a short basin (I used the bottom tray of a plastic planter – like this one  or this one
  • a small clay or plastic planter pot – plastic version here or clay planter here
  • small bag of soil
  • small rocks
  • one large flat rock
  • grass seed or moss
  • some sticks
DSC_0042
 
This was my inspiration picture:
 

 (I think it originated on the creator’s facebook and then spread like wildfire on facebook and eventually to Pinterest.) 

Fill your basin with soil.  Once you have a thin layer of soil in the bottom, place your small planter inside and fill in around it.

DSC_0043

Here you can see we filled up the whole basin and all around/over the small planter (you want it to look like a cave.)  We wet the soil a little to help pack it all around the small planter.

DSC_0046

Then we had scavenged the yard for all kinds of smaller rocks and found one larger flat rock.  Place the small rocks in front of your “cave” and the larger rock to the side (for the stone that was rolled away from the grave when Christ arose from the dead.)

DSC_0047

Now at this point you can plant grass seeds all over the hill and down the sides.  Wheatgrass seeds are the best as they germinate and sprout in days (I think about 10 days).  But I couldn’t find any wheatgrass seeds in any local stores.  You can order them very cheap online – like these from Amazon.  

BUT I spotted a hill of moss on the side of our house so we just carefully skimmed some of that off the ground and laid it on top of our hill.  Using little pieces here and there and filling in all the spots.

DSC_0048

Then we found some sticks and broke them to the right size and glued them together to form 3 crosses.  And our garden was done!

DSC_0051

My nieces are ages 2 and 4 and go to Sunday School with us each week.  As we were doing this project, we were talking all about the Easter story.  About how Jesus was beaten and how He died on the cross for our sins.  But they made sure to say “But he’s not dead anymore!  He got alive again on Easter.”  Even at their age, they know sin is the bad things that they do.  And the oldest one was fascinated with a story their babysitter had been telling them about the other two men that hung on the crosses next to Jesus – how one went to heaven with Jesus when he died (because he accepted Christ’s gift of salvation) and how the other one didn’t.

DSC_0249

My nieces are a little young and they don’t completely understand all about salvation yet, but I am thankful that they are beginning to grasp bits and pieces and understand more and more.

Looking forward to Easter Sunday and celebrating with them the resurrection of Christ!

By the way, if you are looking for more Christ themed Easter projects, crafts, or ideas… I found this one and a few more at FreeFunEaster.com

Easter-Craft-He-Is-Risen-Tomb

I will be back next Friday with lots of frugal finds to share with you!  Smile  And don’t forget the 2nd post in our “How to shop yard sales” series will be on Monday and the 2nd post in our “Sprucing up the outdoors for spring” series will be on Wednesday, plus I few other things to share too.

(This post may container Amazon affiliate links.  If you click on them and buy something, you help support this blog, so thanks!)

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Comments

  1. Christa @ BrownSugarToast says

    April 6, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    love this!!!
    praise God we serve a RISEN Savior!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      April 16, 2012 at 12:00 AM

      your little one would probably be old enough to do this next year! hard to believe 🙂

      Reply
  2. Renee @ Living Laughing & Loving says

    April 10, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    How cool! Great idea to use the moss too! I’m sure they loved making this!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      April 15, 2012 at 11:54 PM

      they did! it was a fun, easy project and a really good visual.

      Reply
  3. Kezia says

    March 4, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    Love this! I believe Harrison will live it! I know your nieces had fun with it too! Thanks for sharing! Cute idea!!!

    Reply
  4. Joni says

    March 7, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    That is awesome! And your girls are so cute!

    Reply
    • Joni says

      March 7, 2013 at 7:50 AM

      p.s. I meant your nieces are so cute! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    March 24, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    This is just so sweet Christina – I love it!

    Reply
  6. Jen @ http://enterundermyroof.blogspot.com says

    March 29, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    I love the moss! It’s such a natural idea, as are the twig crosses (instead of craft sticks). Just beautiful!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      April 10, 2013 at 11:28 PM

      thanks so much, Jen! It really is a pretty “craft” to reflect on God’s gift to us.

      Reply
  7. karen fortney says

    January 28, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    so happy to see this i want to do it with all my grand kids at easter will help then learn more about jesus i talk to them about him with them and how his father gave his only son for are salvation cant wait and it will fit in my budget sense i an disabled thank you so much for this an d GOD BLESS YOU

    Reply
  8. Louise Stewart says

    January 28, 2014 at 7:44 PM

    Thank you for sharing an educational project for small children and for many others….the small girls are beautiful and smart…love you, Louise Stewart

    Reply
  9. joanie says

    February 1, 2014 at 12:32 AM

    I plan to do this with my granddaughters age 5 and 3. The 5 year old told me last Christmas 2012 that my manger didn’t have the star on top so we made a star of cardboard covered with foil then had to add gold ribbon since the star needed to be ‘yellow’.

    Reply
  10. Leah says

    February 4, 2014 at 9:03 PM

    I think yours came out just as nice. It’s a bit more authentic looking.

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      March 8, 2018 at 6:10 PM

      I agree. The moss and the broken twigs just make the whole thing, as far as I am concerned. I want to make one and take it to the Children’s Church class for Easter. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  11. Kathy Migues says

    February 19, 2014 at 3:55 PM

    Absolutely love this.

    Reply
  12. Joanne says

    February 25, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Many health food stores sell bulk wheat or grains for sprouting that would work or you could also try using a cat grass mixture-that will sprout and grow quickly.

    Reply
  13. Lindsay says

    March 4, 2014 at 11:32 PM

    OMGosh, your kids have the SWEETEST little faces!!!!

    Thanks for the AWESOME idea!!! I love that you can teach the meaning of Easter, AND have the little ones involved! Oh, and it looks AMAZING too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Judy LaRue Wesley says

    March 7, 2014 at 1:38 AM

    Christina, so glad my cousin posted the Easter Garden Tutorial on my FB page. What a sweet & easy Easter project for the children. Printed out the tutorial & plan on taking it by church so perhaps the kids can start making their own Easter Garden. Also shared w/my FB friends so I’m sure our church family will get a copy as well. At least that’s my hope. Thanks, again.

    Reply
    • Sandy luddington says

      February 21, 2020 at 12:24 PM

      Where could I look to getting a copy of this amazing tutorial… would love to teach this to my Sunday school sweeties

      Blessings
      Sandy

      Reply
  15. Teresa Russett says

    March 7, 2014 at 11:53 PM

    If you read further on Melissa’s FB page, the comments below her photo, you’ll see there was a bit of controversy and hard feelings surrounding the posting. You may want to go back and acknowledge the true original poster as well. 🙂

    Reply
  16. shirley willard says

    March 8, 2014 at 4:24 PM

    I love that you tell the Easter story when you were making the Tomb of Christ. I am glad you shared with us how to make this and it will be cheap and fun. Im going to do this with my 2 year old granddaughters.

    Reply
  17. michael bowen says

    March 8, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    God Bless You

    Reply
  18. Susan says

    March 10, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    This garden tomb is awesome. Thanks for sharing how to make it step by step. I loved seeing your little nieces hands patting down the soil making the tomb. I loved how you shared the Easter story and your experience with them too. I can’t wait to do this with my great niece and nephew this year, my niece and I will have so much fun with them doing this. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  19. paula k. dulaney says

    March 14, 2014 at 1:37 PM

    Where did your friend find the Jesus pic in her craft? I clicked the link and it says she is no longer there. Would love more of these types of crafts for sunday school and bible school. can you help?

    Reply
  20. Jo Blaubach says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:02 AM

    The tutorial on how to make Jesus’ empty tomb with a clay drip pan and pot ,dirt,rocks and moss is great but what could those of us do who are under 5 feet of snow do to replicate it since we can’t do this at this time of year?

    Reply
    • Ann Lynn says

      October 12, 2014 at 11:13 PM

      I think you would just have to have all the materials purchased because I know what you mean that sometimes Easter can be snow covered! Even though outside looks chilly I am sure your stores have their spring merchandise out so you would have to actually plant seed and finding the twigs might be difficult but you might just have to go with craft sticks. I know your reply was so long ago but I am thinking of doing this for Christmas even if I can find the supplies and it should be small enough that you could grow a little something inside. (And maybe now if you read this it will just remind you and you can get some twigs picked up this fall to put aside for this and other crafts in March!) Blessings!

      Reply
  21. nancy l says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:04 AM

    Hi Christina, thanks so much for this post !! A friend just sent it to me…My friend & I have “Jr. Church” during the month of April and guess what we and the kids are ALL making! Easter is so much more than just candy…it’s God accepting His perfect, sinless Son’s death on that cross to take away everybody’s sins…all each one of us has to do is believe it, ask forgiveness for our sins and accept His Son, Jesus into our life. HE did ALL the work !!!

    Reply
  22. Queen Mary says

    March 29, 2014 at 4:35 PM

    Completely love this! My kids are grown but I love this as a centerpiece! Love, love, love it! I’m making it for ME!

    Reply
  23. Jean P says

    April 1, 2014 at 11:43 PM

    For the wheat grass part, the wheat that is sold for grinding into flour should grow. Its really the same thing! Nowadays its available in many grocery stores that sell in bulk. It would only take 1/3 cup or so to cover a big saucer.

    Reply
  24. James says

    April 7, 2014 at 1:11 AM

    AWESOME!!!
    What a mighty GOD we serve!
    TY for the inspiration, & for the directions on how to make it.
    I wasn’t sure just what size pot to use…now, thanks to you, I do.

    It has been said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery…I can’t wait to build mine…
    Just have to figure out where to get the moss….

    TY again, & GOD bless

    Reply
  25. farm tires says

    June 8, 2014 at 8:54 PM

    As a substitute of throwing absent discarded tires, folks could trade them
    with utilized tire companies. How beneficial to know tools like wrenches and ratchets.
    He was forced to hop another log that left him out of bounds and in 8th position.

    Reply
  26. Nicole Mannyx says

    January 23, 2015 at 4:24 AM

    I love this! Will definitely be giving this a go with my boys this Easter

    Reply
  27. Faith says

    March 3, 2015 at 12:42 AM

    If using moss, will it take and continue to grow/stay fresh indoors or will it die and smell and therefore the garden should not be made too far in advance of Easter? Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  28. CAPERNIUS says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:03 AM

    I have been wanting to make this since I first saw it last September, but do to health problems, & frequent flier miles to & from the local hospital, I have not been able to….yet.

    Q:
    Do you by any chance know what kind of moss that was that you used for this?
    Or, Can you recommend a type of moss?
    I saw an Irish Moss last summer, but I wasn’t sure if that wound look right….

    I just want this project(the one I make) to look nothing short of FABULOUS!
    I mean, it’s an awesome project to begin with, but a green thumb? that is something I do not have…

    Reply
  29. The lovely one says

    March 28, 2015 at 2:13 PM

    My kids (ages 9 and 5) each made one of these garden tombs this year. They came out some cute!

    Reply
  30. Mark Kelly says

    December 29, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Awesome! I love reading this post. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  31. Kathleen Signor says

    January 2, 2016 at 1:47 PM

    Awesome I will be doing this

    Reply
    • Sylvia says

      March 15, 2016 at 1:24 PM

      Great way for even the young ones to understand what actually happen on that day, and most importantly to know that “He has Risen”. Thank you for sharing, the 2-6 year old’s in my class at church will be doing this!

      Reply
  32. Jo says

    March 31, 2017 at 9:16 AM

    Wow! Great way to teach little one or new believers. I lead my ladies Bible study group. This will make a great conversation piece on my coffee table. Or possibly a craft night take home. Endless possibilities.

    Did you seal the bottom of the clay tray?

    Thank you

    Reply
  33. LawnToolsList says

    June 13, 2017 at 8:56 PM

    Wow, I absolutely love this idea for my family!

    Reply
  34. Lola says

    July 11, 2017 at 8:32 PM

    Nice

    Reply
  35. Sammy says

    January 5, 2018 at 3:06 AM

    This tutorial is really great and helpful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  36. Diane says

    April 14, 2019 at 9:05 AM

    I absolutely love this so much. It’s not a craft that will just get thrown out and really shares the meaning of Easter. I would recommend though that you update the Amazon suggestions to reflect the sizes of containers you used. We are making 20 of these for Sunday school this week and followed for suggestions. The bottom is way too big and the pots are tiny. I think you probably need a 11 or 12″ bottom and 3″ pot. That’s just a guess.

    Reply
  37. Sandy says

    March 8, 2020 at 10:04 PM

    These are great! May do this with the grands and possibly for use at our sunrise service breakfast at church.

    Reply

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Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

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