Eco-Friendly Party Idea: Plant Some Fun by Hosting a Garden-ing Party!

Need a great party plan for SPRING? This one can be used for so many different occasions. A GARDEN-ing Party or Planting Party is one of my very favorite party ideas. It is not only fun- my number one criteria for a party- but it's also a great way to get kids and adults in touch with growing vegetables and eating healthier. No matter if you want to plant veggies, flowers, or trees; hosting a planting party is fun for all ages. And the benefits will grow and grow!

When my nephew turned seven, I wanted to do something "educational" for his birthday. I was completely shocked at his response from the garden tools and vegetable plants and seeds that were his present. He started screaming at the top of his little lungs. "Okra! I got okra! And tomatoes! I got tomatoes!" He jumped up and down and squealed with delight. After he planted them, he would call me almost daily with a progress report. As the years went by, that kid would always plant a garden and grow tomatoes, peppers, and of course, okra. I've never forgotten that birthday:))

When the weather starts to get warm, most of us are ready to dig in the dirt, plant something, or freshen up outdoor space after a long winter. Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (the last week of April in most states) are coming up. And don't forget Mother's Day is May 8th. Wouldn't it be wonderful to make-over your mom's patio or yard with some colorful new plants or a few vegetable plants?

Many schools, youth organizations, and neighborhoods are growing community gardens. But if you don't have that movement happening in your area, start one! You don't need a lot of people at first. You can start small. Ask a couple of neighbors to participate and split the cost and the responsibilities of maintenance. There are some great sites with information on community gardens including tips on everything from getting started to funding.

• American Community Garden Association
• Urban Harvest
• ABC News Article

Any occasion is right for a planting party: a best friend's birthday, wedding, bridal shower or wedding party at your house, your kid's birthday, neighborhood party, family reunion, or community garden day. You really don't need a reason to host a planting party. It's one of those do-good, feel good types of parties that I love! Here's the how-to:

INVITATIONS & GUESTS

Think old-timey barn raising-- remember when neighbors would help a family build a barn? Friends would show up with tools and the barn would go up. This is the same premise. Invite friends to come build a garden. If it is a community garden, you'll need to form a committee and divvy up the planting and chores. For the party above, the host provided lunch and the guests provided the plants for her birthday presents. After a few hours of planting, guests had a lovely lunch on the patio, completely freshened up and ready for spring!

THE MENU

Salad in a Jar: Make these ahead for an easy and healthy lunch for party guestsIf you are hosting the party at your house, you'll provide the food and drinks. If you are surprising someone with a garden or yard make-over, then you'll also provide the food... my salad in a jar is perfect for a quick lunch on work day. You can prep in advance and store in the fridge or a cooler until it's time to eat.

A big dispenser with chilled water, lemonade, and/or Sweet Tea (I'm from the South where Sweet Tea is essential) will keep everyone hydrated and happy. Plus, the serve-yourself option always makes bartending and hostessing duties easier. Or, if you don't have a large dispenser, fill up a tub, wheelbarrow, or large planter with ice and chill your favorite beverages. I personally like the wheelbarrow because you can move it around easier--- important if you are in the sun. As the sun shifts, you can move the drinks into the shade so the ice won't melt:)Planting party survival kit with Advil, band-aids, gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, etc

SUPPLIES

I always have a "survival kit" made up for any outdoor party. It includes everything we might need: bandaids, wipes, sunscreen, bug spray, bandanas, hats, visors, tools, etc. You get the idea. Keep it where guests can find it so they can stay cool, comfortable, and prepared to be out in the elements.

DECORATIONS

Look at the pretty decorations from our own Garden-ing Party! I used lots of garden supplies for the decorations that everyone was able to take home after the party including these colorful ceramic toadstools from JJ Potts. Find more more cute garden accessories and supplies from the great folks at Plow and Hearth and Gardener's Supply. I also found some adorable watch and grow planting pots at Oriental Trading Company. I think they make perfect party decorations and they are functional!

Burlap table overlay, paper and melamine plates, and plastic margarita glasses are cheap chic!Too cute toadstools made in the USA from JJPotts

ENTERTAINMENT

Everyone loves to work to music! Make a party playlist of your own favs; whether your gang likes old-school or pop, make a playlist of tunes to run the length of the party. Or skip the music and let the gossip and girl talk take center stage!

If you need more information or ideas for your own planting party, I've got tons! Just message me from my website and I'll respond!

Happy planting.... happy SPRING!

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Party Serving Solutions: Mason Jars for Serving a "Salad in a Jar"

Canning jars are awesome. No matter if you use them for serving beverages, as a vase for flowers, or as a portable serving solution, canning jars are inexpensive and also rather cool. I have quite an assortment of canning jars: Mason, Ball, and Kerr are some of the brands you'll see in stores. And if you have some of the blue or antique jars... lucky you!

This past weekend, I shared one of my ideas for spring and summer entertaining with guests at The Trussville Literary Club's tablescape event. Everyone loved my "salad in a jar" so I thought I'd share it with you. There are lots of variations on this theme. Be creative and come up with your own!

Salad in a Jar: An easy and creative way to serve salad for a party!Salad in a Jar: Layered Spinach & Fruit Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Functional, easy, and pretty! If you are going to prep the day before your event, you probably should add the dressing just before serving so everything doesn't get soggy. But you can prep up to four hours before with the dressing in the bottom of this recipe and you'll be fine... but keep the jars chilled on ice, in the fridge, or in a cooler. And it is a perfect solution for picnics, too!

Makes 6

1- 9 ounce package of fresh baby spinach leaves, wash and remove the stems

1- 16 ounce container fresh strawberries, washed, dried, hulled, and sliced

1- 15 ounce can mandarin orange slices, drained

2 cups walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1- 6 ounce container Belle Chevre Belle and the Bee Breakfast goat cheese (or if you cannot find it, make your own by swirling honey into goat cheese to make it creamy and slightly sweet)

Poppyseed Dressing recipe  (or your favorite dressing)

Assembly

Start by spooning about 2-3 tablespoons of dressing into the bottom of the jar. Enough so you can see the layer of dressing. Next, add about 1 1/2 cups of the spinach leaves. Layer the strawberry slices around the outside of the jar and work your way in so they look pretty. Do the same with the orange slices. Next, add the walnuts and top with a thin layer of the goat cheese. Secure the lid and chill until serving time.

Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

1 1/2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/8 cup sweet white onion, like a Vidallia, chopped

1/2 cup plain yogurt (some people prefer mayo instead)

2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3/4 teaspoon poppyseeds

a bit of water to thin, if required

Add everything but the oil and the poppyseeds into a blender or food processor and blend until very smooth and there is no trace of the onion. Reduce to the lowest speed and stream in the vegetable oil. Turn off the blender and add the poppyseeds. If you find it too thick (which I love for fruit) you can thin with a bit of water.  I use an immersion blender for this recipe. It's fast and easy to clean up!

FOR MORE TIPS AND IDEAS ON USING CANNING JARS, VISIT THE BALL WEBSITE!