Digging in at Local Schools

This fall, Gertens visited various schools in the Twin Cities to plant bulbs with students. Letters were sent to more than one hundred schools this summer offering a bulb planting session with students. The only thing the schools needed to provide was the grounds and the students.

It was our way of helping teach students about nature and biology by letting them dig in, literally. Not only were the children able to plant the bulbs on school grounds, but they will enjoy watching them bloom next spring.

The students ranged from kindergarteners to 5th graders, and each held an enthusiasm to participate that echoes our own feelings. Our hope was to create a passion for gardening in the children, something we hold near and dear to our hearts here at Gertens.

Teachers were very excited about the project as well.

"What a great experience for every kid to plant a bulb," said Laurie Ernste, 6th grade teacher at Most Holy Trinity School.

What seemed to be the best part for the students? Contemplating what other food items the bulbs looked like. The most common answer was a Hershey’s kiss.