Kids: Create your '˜Don't Mow, Let It Grow' Grass Head

Children are being encouraged to create and design theuir own Grass Head character for the fun competition.

“Don’t Mow, Let It Grow” is a three year pilot funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Landfill Communities Fund, working with Transport NI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The message of the project is simple. Small changes in management of grasslands, give large benefits to biodiversity and ecosystem services. That helps all of us. Pollinators play a key role in local crop production and provide the service for free.

The environmental project wants to challenge children from the Causeway Coast and Glens up to age 11 to create their own grass heads using an old pair of tights, compost, grass seed and recycled materials.

How to Make a Grass Head

Cut the feet out of a pair of stockings just above the ankle.

Sprinkle some grass seeds into the bottom of the stocking foot and fill it with peat free potting mix.

Twist the stocking until it is the shape and size of a tennis ball size, and then tie it off, leaving about 10cm dangling down at the bottom.

Use a piece of cotton to make a bulging nose in the stocking face.

Decorate your grasshead a goofy face using recycled materials. Or transform it into a butterfly or insect.

Half-fill the yoghurt container with water and place the head on top, so the stocking tail is dangling into the water.

Use a spray bottle of water to moisten his head.

Place him on a window sill that gets plenty of sun.

Check each day to make sure the stocking head remains damp.

In a week or so the grass shoots will start to sprout out the top of the head like hair!

Once your grass head is ready post its picture on the ‘Don’t Mow, Let It Grow’ facebook page or email it to [email protected].

The competition will close on Friday, August 19 when the entries will be judged by the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Alderman Maura Hickey, with prizes for a selection of the most creative.