Resurrection Garden
A few years ago, I discovered a wonderful Easter craft project. So many things compete for our attention around this holiday. I enjoyed pausing & gathering around a table with a group of loved ones & creating these Resurrection Gardens together that year.
I’m a life long crafter but hadn’t seen this before. I’ve outlined the steps below with some pictures of our finished products from that crafty weekend so long ago. I really enjoyed having something more meaningful than Easter baskets stuffed with candy to put together for our kids.
Here’s a close up look of one of our finished gardens. We found these little ceramic crosses that were actually refrigerator magnets. I loved them because it added an incredible message of hope to our gardens.
The things you will need for creating your Resurrection Garden are:
Container - I used a shallow basket or you can use a terra cotta plant dish if you want a more shallow garden.
Plastic lining (if you are using a basket)
Potting Soil
Small rocks
1 large rock
Various plants & spring flowers
Moss
Small cross or 3 crosses - this will depend on the size of your garden
Small terra cotta pot or reuse the compostable pot from your plants you are using for the project.
The first step will be to line your basket with the plastic if you are using a basket.
Next, pour a little potting soil into your container.
The next step is to add the small terra cotta pot or the compostable pot reused from your plants. You will lie this on its side to the back of your container. This will be Jesus’ tomb.
As you start filling in with more potting soil, start placing your plants, actually “planting” them with plenty of soil around them.
Now use the stones to create a pathway towards the front of the tomb.
Place the cross or crosses to the side of the tomb.
Complete planting all your plants.
I’ve also seen examples of using grass seed instead of the plants. This would be a great idea if you make your garden close to Ash Wednesday & then making sure to lightly moisten the seeds until they sprout closer to Easter. This would add another layer of meaning as we observe the Lenten season.
Layer the moss around the top, this will help keep the soil moist as you lightly water the plants as needed.
Lastly, add the big rock off to the side of the tomb. This represents the stone that was rolled away & this is the entire meaning behind the greatest story ever told.
Here’s a few more of the gardens we made that day. As you can see, we used various types & sizes of containers.
My dear friend had this spectacular one, we even used it on the communion table at church that year.
This is a great way to have some meaningful time with your kiddos & loved ones. As you create one of these gardens, my hope is that you would take a moment to contemplate in the pure love & sacrifice & miracle that occurred that 3 day weekend so many thousands of years ago. May the truth that is represented by the stone rolled to the side of the tomb bring you to pause in reflection & thankfulness that we know how our life story can end because of Him.
And this is why we wish each other “Happy Easter” - because it so is!
Blessings - Rhonda
Scripture reference for the story of Easter from the Bible:
Matthew chapters 26 - 28
Mark chapters 15 - 16
Luke chapters 22 - 24
John chapters 17 - 20