Create a scarecrow for your garden

Scarecrows in a rice paddy in Japan

QUOTE:
" I am a nobleman of husks, born of a pumpkin. I am Lord Scarecrow!"  The Scarecrow (1972) (TV)

THEORY:
Some of the seeds and plants you put in your garden may not grow if birds and other animals eat them. Try building a scarecrow to protect your garden.  Scarecrows were originally intended to keep away pesky crows and the name stuck, even though their flapping limbs scare off all types of birds.
You can make a simple scarecrow, like in the photo above, without any stuffing or you can use straw, leaves or old clothes to stuff the scarecrow.

INTERESTING FACT:
First recorded scarecrow sighting was over 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. They were also made in Greece, Rome and Japan.

ACTIVITY: BASIC UNSTUFFED SCARECROW

• Collect some old clothes including a hat to create your own scarecrow. Bright colours will work well
• You will need garden twine and scissors and 2 poles
• Put 1 sturdy pole into the ground so it is secure.
• Thread one pant leg down the pole from the top
• Tie some string around the pants as a belt and attach to the pole
• a long branch or old broomstick will make the arms: put an old shirt or jumper onto this pole and then tie it in place with strong garden twine or wire at the intersection with the other pole
• old buckets or flower pots work well as heads and are durable too
• you could use an old pillow case for the head or a plastic bag
• Find a hat that fits your scarecrow's head
• If you wish you can draw or paint your scarecrow's face

EXTRAS FOR YOUR SCARECROW:
Corks dangling from your scarecrow's hat will give it an Aussie look. Sunglasses for a sun-wise scarecrow. A scarf, gloves or a basket to carry. Straw hair for a rustic look.

How to make a stuffed scarecrow from The Royal Horticultural Society

BOOKS:
Scarecrows: Making Harvest Figures and Other Yard Folks by Felder Rushing
Creative Scarecrows: 35 Fun Figures for Your Yard & Garden by Marcianne Miller on how to make garden scarecrows. 
Little Bear Makes a Scarecrow - Board story book - by Else Holmelund Minarik

Now don't go away because there are even more Earth Day ideas and books being shared by these bloggers today! Stop by and bookmark or even pin them all! 
Teach Preschool : Child Central Station : Living Montessori Now : Aunt Annie's Childcare : Males in Early Childhood : The SEEDS Network : Flights of Whimsy : Pre-K Pages : Kreative Resources : I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here! : Share & Remember : Music Sparks : little illuminations : Greening Sam and Avery : Putti Prapancha : Early Play : Little Running Teacher : Look at My Happy Rainbow