Five and six year olds were not afraid to get their hands dirty at the first day of the "Let's Bloom Together Workshop" on Monday, July 19. The workshop, led by Michael Bedrick ("Marigold Mike") is being held at the Community Center from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. this week and introduces children to the fundamentals of gardening.

Monday's workshop covered the basics of soil, water and sun – the three ingredients necessary for plant growth. After zipping up their imaginary space suits, the kids blasted for outer space to view planet Earth from the heights.

The children quickly identified their home state New Jersey. They already knew that New Jersey is  "The Garden State." Mike then showed a photo of the earth explaining how the clouds that surrounded it provide water. From there they went for a visit to the sun. Did you know the sun is 93 million miles away?

After a return to Earth, Mike pulled out a bucket of earth – the necessary soil for planting. No one was shy about taking a turn and rubbing their hands in the soil. "If you're not getting dirty, your not gardening," encouraged Marigold Mike.

The next step was appointing everyone with their gardening nicknames: Magnolia Margo, Elderberry Emma, Marigold Maggie, Alyssum Annie, Azalea AJ, and Water lily Alex. The 'homework' assignment was to later go home, and with the help of mom or dad, look up their particular plant on the Internet.

The "Picksie Game," followed. A picksie is an imaginary little creature that goes around and picks the blooms off flowers. Not a good thing they all agreed. Mike showed the children several pictures of flowers asking the children to "Please wave off the picksies if you see them in the picture!" The children enthusiastically engaged, waving their hands to let Mike know what they saw. They all participated in volunteering the various colors of the different flowers.

Gardeners typically use wheelbarrows to transport soil, plants and tools. Wheelbarrows can also transport people. On this particular afternoon Marigold Mike treated each child to a spin around the room in his pint-sized red "Bloom Together" wheelbarrow.

During a brief walk around the Community Center, Mike and the children surveyed the area, practicing the art of picking up litter. "It's not just about picking up litter to save the earth," Mike pointed out, "we pick up litter to save the humans." 

Over the next few days the children will learn more about gardening, recycling and composting. At the end of the week they will pot and take home a plant. An early education on all things green can only be good for all of us.

The "Let's Bloom Together" program was brought to the township by the Bernards Parks and Recreation department.