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Are you looking for an Easter craft that celebrates Jesus and the true meaning of Easter? I’ve got you! This is a big, porch-sized version of an Easter favorite- a DIY Resurrection Garden! We’re going big as we declare “He is Risen” to everyone who passes by our home!

Bringing Jesus Back to the Forefront of Easter

DIY Resurrection gardens are one of the sweetest crafts for a Christ-centered Easter. I’m always looking for creative ways to bring Jesus front and center for Easter.

As you might have figured out, I LOVE decorating, and it truly is fun for me to decorate for every season and holiday.

Of course, with Easter as the central holiday for Christians, I’ve sometimes struggled with decorations and crafts that focus on Jesus during Easter. 

I’m not a hater of the Easter Bunny or baskets with chocolate and those other fun things, but I’m really looking to teach my kids the MAIN reason we celebrate Easter.

As I’ve said, I love decorating and really wanted to do something a little more than a ‘He is Risen’ sign somewhere in the house (nothing wrong with those – I have several and have created them as well!).

In fact, I have one that I love but I never really found a good place for it. Also, I really wanted something that shouted it beyond the walls of my own home.

And I thought, ‘A big resurrection garden in a porch planter would be amazing for my sign and as a bold Easter witness!’

And my idea was born.

Supplies and Tools for a Porch Planter Resurrection Garden

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If you’ve even seen a resurrection garden or made one before, this really is very similar. These gardens are so easy to make and are super fun to make with your kids.

I’m going to show how I made and also give you some different variations you can try to make it your own. I linked up to the specific products I used for mine as well.

You’ll need:

Large Planter (I used a plastic whiskey barrel style one )

Bag of Potting Soil (you can also include rocks if it’s a very deep planter)

6″ Smaller Planter (tomb) (I used a 6″ Better Homes and Garden Swirl Clay Pot, Fiona)

1 Large Rock (about the size of the opening of the small planter)

4-6 Flower Cells (I chose pansies because they are hardy and can usually withstand cold dips of temperature which may happen around Easter. I picked white pansies and just one purple one, as a sign of royalty.)

5 Gallon Paint Stirrers, pack of 3 (If you don’t have a premade ‘He is Risen’ cross sign for the center cross, you’ll need 2 packs of 3. I got my sign at Hobby Lobby.)

Wood Stain (I used Minwax Stain in Special Walnut)

Jute String or Yarn

 

Tools

Miter Saw (or something to score and snap the paint sticks)

Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Paint Brush

*Option: If you want a more rustic look, want to save money, or you don’t have the materials for the crosses on hand, you can use sticks or branches instead of paint stirrers. If using this method, gather 3 long pieces, 3 shorter pieces, and skip to #3.

Steps to Create Resurrection Garden Planter

1| Trim Your Paint Gallon Stirrers

Using your miter saw, trim your paint stirrers down to 2 long pieces and 2 short pieces (if you already have a cross sign for the center). Otherwise, you’ll cut 3 long pieces and 3 short pieces.

If creating your own cross, I recommend making your center cross a little larger and more prominent, but that’s up to you!

I cut mine down to 7″ for the short pieces and 16″ for the long pieces. I only made the 2 side crosses, not the center one.

2| Stain Your Paint Stirrers

Set up your cut paint stirrers on something you don’t mind getting dirty – scrap wood or plastic, a place mat, or even a trash bag. 

Stain all sides of your stirrers, front and back. Let dry.

3| Glue Stirrers to Create Cross

Place hot glue on the front of the long piece of the cross, where you want the short piece to intersect. Place your short piece on top, centered, and let it dry.

Repeat this step for cross #2 (and #3, if making 3 crosses).

***If you’re going to seal your wooden crosses, you can do that right after you glue them or after you add the twine in the next step. I’ve found that hot glue doesn’t usually stick that well to sealer, so the twine may not stick if you glue before step 4. You can try E6000 glue if the hot glue isn’t working or wait until you glue the twine before you seal.

4| Wrap Twine Around Center of Cross

Place glue on the back of the intersection point of the cross. Glue the end of a piece of jute or yarn to the back and wrap string over and around the center of the cross several times.

I didn’t pre-measure the string. I just kept wrapping it reached a thickness I was happy with. Then I cut the string.

Once you reach your desired thickness, cut the string and glue to the back of the cross. Picture below shows the back of the cross. The front should just look like a big ‘X’ made of string.

***You can seal your crosses after this step, if desired.

5| Fill Planter with Rocks and Soil

If you’re partially filling your planter with rocks, place rocks in the planter first. You can have a large or small number of rocks, depending on how much soil and rock you have or want to use.

Add soil on top of rocks and fill to the top.

6| Add the Small Planter and Flowers to the Soil

First, place the small planter that will be the tomb where you want it. I placed mine off-centered, just to the right side.

Then, you will just partially bury the bottom, so the dirt spills inside the tomb. 

You can definitely place plant on top of the dirt without having the dirt spill inside; however, I liked the look of it partially buried.

Once your planter is placed, lean your rock against the opening of your planter, and plant the flowers in the remaining area where you’d like them.

I used a mix of mostly white pansies and a splash of purple to represent royalty and add some color!

7| Add your Crosses to the Larger Planter

Next, you’ll just stick your crosses in the space behind the tomb! That’s it! Fun and simple!

***If your crosses aren’t sealed, pay attention to the weather report and remove in the event of rain!

Such an easy project and I just love the end result! 

Below you can see the succinct printable version of those directions!

If you enjoyed this Easter project, here are more Easter crafts and DIYs and other inspiration and decor!

25 Classy Rustic Easter Front Porch Decorating Ideas

30+ Creative and Absolutely Chic DIY Easter Wreath Ideas

Happy Easter Gift Tags Free Printable {+ DIY Decor Ideas}

30+ Rustic Farmhouse Easter DIY Decorations You Need to Try

30+ Adorable Easter Crafts for Kids

If you try this project, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @100affections and I’ll share in my stories!

Other thoughts? I’d love to hear it! Leave a comment below! 

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