This week's fun activity... Mini Pumpkin String Lights

String lights are pretty by themselves, but they’re even better when they’re decorated to match the season!  For this week’s activity, we'll decorate string lights with physalis husks!   Physalis, also known as wild gooseberry, ground cherry, or the Chinese Lantern plant, can be found growing wild throughout our area.  You can also purchase them in garden/craft shops. Tomatillos are a larger type of physalis.  The wild ones are easily identified because the fruits look like tiny orange pumpkins, or more obviously, Chinese Lanterns!

Materials: String Lights (or Fairy Lights) Physalis Fruits Scissors

Step 1 - Collect Head outside and find some Physalis fruits!  They are a pale orange papery husk, with a tiny berry inside.  You want fruits that are still closed and have not split open.  You might notice these plants walking around your neighborhood – try asking around to see if any are nearby.   Otherwise, try a nearby park or green space!  Collect as many fruits as you need to cover your string lights.

Step 2 – Cut and Remove Using scissors, carefully cut a tiny circle around the stem.   Remove the stem and the berry inside.  You should be left with an empty paper husk with a tiny hole on top.

Step 3 - Attach Take a paper husk and insert a light from your string lights into it.   If the hole you cut is too big and the husk won’t stay on the light, you can use a drop of water based glue to keep it attached.   Repeat for each husk and light you have!

Step 4 – Light  Hang up your string lights, turn them on, and enjoy the look of miniature pumpkins or Chinese Lanterns overhead!

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are now closed for the season...the gates to the Gardens will remain open for you to enjoy fall walks through November. BUT, be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FBBG MEMBERSHIPS   We are continually processing memberships! You will receive a temporary card in the mail as we process your packets. Membership questions? Please contact Dkoepsel@fbbg.org JOIN TODAY! You can easily purchase a membership on-line by clicking here. THANK YOU!

We’d love to see your creativity! Tag us on:  Facebook (Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens)  Twitter (@FBBG) or Instagram (friendsofbbg)  to show off your Mini Pumpkin String Lights or any of our weekly activities!

Please continue to watch for our weekly activities...  fun learning for ALL ages!