How to Plant Lenten Grass (Easter Grass)

Lenten grass is an old Finnish tradition and a lovely way to mark the season of Lent with children. If you're looking for ideas for observing Lent, planting grass is easy to do, fun for the whole family.

A Finnish Tradition for Lent. Annual Traditions for a Christian Family. Fun for Kids. Easy DIY. Great for Grandparent Gifts.

~ Skip Straight to How to Plant Lenten Grass ~

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For adult observers, the Christian season of Lent is often a time of quiet contemplation. For kids, however, Lent seems little more than preamble to Easter’s bonnets and bunnies and baskets.

To help children observe Lent, consider adopting the old Finnish custom of planting grass seed in small dishes on Ash Wednesday.

For children, it is fun to plant and carefully tend the seeds. Soon delicate blades burst forth from the earth, stretching toward the light. With good care, the grass will grow thick and strong and lush, symbolizing the resurrection and the certainty of spring.

Here's how to mark the Lenten Season with Lenten Grass. It's easy, it's fun! Consider starting several trays and giving them to family and friends.

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When to Plant Lenten Grass: Ash Wednesday

It's traditional to plant the seeds for Lenten Grass on Ash Wednesday.

But if you happen to miss Ash Wednesday, I don't think God will mind. :-) Starting a few days later will work too.

Start with a pretty bowl or tray about three inches high. For drainage, first lay down an even layer of small rocks – aquarium rocks are perfect. Add a layer of potting soil, the loose stuff works better than dense dirt. Don't fill up the bowl or tray, however, leave room for another layer.

What Is the Best Grass Seed for Lenten Grass?

Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil. Be generous! We want thick grass!

For grass seed, for a long while I planted rye grass from the local feed store, it costs all of $.40.

One year, I planted wheat grass but was unhappy with the results. Others have good luck with wheat grass, so I experimented with it again and it worked better. (More information about wheat grass, below.)

In recent years, I've planted clover. It's so so pretty! It's my new favorite!

Add a top layer of potting soil. If the soil is dry and airy, use quite a bit because it'll pack down once wet.

Get Creative!

For visual interest, especially before germination, arrange a few rocks or perhaps pieces of colorful broken china. Be creative!

A bear, perhaps?

Or a regal cat?

Hey wait! Where'd he come from?!

Me, I'm a minimalist and a naturalist so I start with simple stones from my garden.

Water the Seeds

Water the seeds, but not too much, we don't want to drown these little guys!

Now the Hard Part: Waiting for Seedlings to Emerge!

Now. Place the container in a sunny spot, someplace where it's easy to see, often. I put ours right in the middle of the kitchen table.

Moisten the soil every day. Use something with a small spout to control the flow. If you're doing this with kids, a spray mister may prevent over-watering. The soil shouldn't be soaked but it should be moist. And because the soil is shallow, it'll dry out quickly.

And Then, About Day 6 ...

... start looking for itsy signs of grass!

In fact, leave for a couple of days and you'll miss the first growth and come home to this! This was taken on Day 8.

Now Comes the Fun Part!

After that, the growth will be fascinating to watch. On sunny days, you'll be positive you can see new growth every couple of hours.

Be sure to keep the soil moist. The seedlings need both sun and water!

At first, the grass will come up in clumps and seem a little sparse.

But don't worry. Soon enough, with sun and water, there will be a thick tray of lush Lenten Grass, green and bright and fresh-smelling, for everyone to enjoy, by Day 10, say.

See the clump of dirt? The sheer power of the thrusting grass is impressive!

Before Long ...

When the grass gets unruly, "mow" it with scissors. From now until Easter, you'll need to "mow" every week or so.

After each mow, the Lenten Grass will grow back thick and lush. (Day 14.)

What About the Cat?

If you have a cat, the grass might be a curiosity, unless you have a Finnish cat, like mine, who feigns indifference. Meet Toivo: she's learned that grass doesn't agree with her tummy and leaves the Lenten Grass alone.

More About Wheat Grass

For a couple of years, I planted wheat grass. Wheat grass requires a deeper dish and grows more slowly.

But by Day 15, the wheat grass is tall and thick and quite pretty.

More About Clover

Clover has become my very favorite! It starts off with these pretty little flowers, just like we hate to see in our lawns.

I'm reminded of something my mom used to say. "A weed is only a flower out of place ..."

And then this thick carpet of lush green emerges. I'm gonna need a bigger bunny!

Can you see how much fun it is to hide things in the grass?

I love this old Finnish tradition of planting and tending Lenten Grass, I've been doing it every year since, umm, well a long time ago, more than 40 years.

I hope it becomes a favorite tradition in your home too!

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Recipes for Lent & Easter

~ Lent ~
especially
~ My Mom's Pancakes ~
for Shrove Tuesday supper

~ Easter ~
especially
~ Hot Cross Buns ~
for Good Friday

PLANNING AHEAD for CHRISTMAS
my family's tradition for
~ Jesus' Birthday Cake ~

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Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and features fresh, seasonal dishes for every-day healthful eating and occasional indulgences. Quick Suppers are Kitchen Parade favorites and feature recipes easy on the budget, the clock, the waistline and the dishwasher. Do you have a favorite recipe that other Kitchen Parade readers might like? Just send me a quick e-mail via recipes@kitchen-parade.com. How to print a Kitchen Parade recipe. Never miss a recipe! If you like this recipe, sign up for a free e-mail subscription. If you like Kitchen Parade, you're sure to like my food blog about vegetable recipes, too, A Veggie Venture. If you make this recipe, I'd love to know your results! Just leave a comment below.

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