These faux strawberries are meant to trick birds—supposedly our feathered friends will try to eat the painted rocks and when they find the fakes inedible, they will leave the fruit alone when it ripens. Whether this works or not, they will sure be a cute addition to any garden.
MATERIALS
Rocks shaped like strawberries
White primer
Red, green, and light yellow craft paint
Paint sealer
TOOLS
Assorted paint brushes
Fine-tipped black pen or marker
Toothpick
DIRECTIONS
1. Paint rocks with primer.
2. Paint rocks with red as shown, leaving a zig-zagged area at the top for the calyx. Let dry completely. You may need two coats.
3. Paint rocks with green as shown. Let dry completely. You may need two coats.
4. Dip toothpick into yellow paint and draw small lines to mimic seeds as shown. Let dry completely.
5. Use black marker to trace one side of each seed to create a shadow.
6. Coat painted rock with sealer. Let dry completely. Lay rocks in your strawberry patch.
Cathy Monrad is the graphic designer of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
