ACLT’s
#HikeForYourHeart
In celebration of National Heart Month and to share the love of our trails with our visitors, we have hung approximately 75 seed-paper hearts on all ACLT trails as well as lots of adorable Valentine’s-themed painted rocks!
ONE HEART OR ROCK PER FAMILY/GROUP PLEASE!
What to do if you find a heart or rock:
We would love to see a photo of you and your fellow hikers with your heart! Use the hashtag #HikeForYourHeart! Then take the heart home and plant it following the instructions below. Please share follow-up photos as the wildflowers sprout and grow!
If you’re lucky enough to find one of the painted rocks, share a photo with the hashtag #acltrocks! and either take it home or re-hide it for someone else to find!
Seed Paper Planting Instructions
Were you one of the lucky hikers who found an ACLT #HikeForYourHeart seed paper heart? Are you ready to plant seed paper but aren’t sure how? Below is everything you need to know to get the best results. It’s incredibly easy, even if you don’t have a green thumb!
How to plant seed paper
Now is a great time to start your seeds indoors. Each heart is full of wildflower and pollinator flower seeds! Fill a pot or shallow pan with good-quality soil. Lightly compress the soil, but not too hard-packed. Place your seed paper on top of the soil. (You may tear it in pieces to spread the seeds evenly.) Add 1/8 inch of soil on top of the paper and give it a good drink of water. After that, make sure it’s always moist and in a sunny spot. Be careful not to over-water.
How long does seed paper take to grow?
If you plant your seed paper according to the instructions above, you should see sprouts within 7-10 days! Once the seedlings are about 1″ to 2″ tall, you can remove the weaker (smaller) seedlings by either gently pinching at the base of the stem or snipping with a small pair of scissors. Your goal is to leave the roots of the seedling you plan to keep undisturbed, in case the roots of both plants are intertwined below the soil. This is an important step to make sure the remaining seedling has plenty of room to grow healthy roots.
Moving Plants Outdoors
After the threat of frost has passed, plant them outdoors in containers or in your garden. The plants will grow and mature at different rates depending on the surrounding conditions but typically you will see wildflowers blooming within 8-12 weeks. Enjoy!
