Marigolds ready for planting (Photo Credit: Kevin Worrell)
Snow and cold weather are part of winter in Saint John, but so are Marigolds.
The annual Marigolds Project started by Barry Ogden is getting ready for another season.
Ogden says they need more sponsors to help with the supplies.
” We have about 70 schools and we pull all of the sponsors together and then we will order the seeds, soil and trays in the next few weeks and they come in February and the kids starting growing them in march,” stated Ogden.
So far he says they have around 200 sponsors but they are always on the lookout for more and Ogden says if anyone is interested then can reach him at 506-333-4612.
Ogden says they are getting a good response from the community and he feels great about that.
“We are getting a very positive response it is a program that even when we set the Guinness World Record we were at 30 some schools and up to 70 now and we ask that sponsors pay for the seeds, soil and trays.”
Ogden says the Marigolds and Murals Project is great for the kids because they get to do something really cool, generate life and watch it grow and thrive.
“The germination rates are math, they learn about photosynthesis, science, they do art work around them they even have a special song, It is called cross-curriculum learning and the kids get to watch the marigolds grow so it is great ownership and empowerment,” said Ogden.
The kids will receive their marigold packages next month, plant the seeds in March and then get set to transplant them outside in June along city streets in medians and at schools.
Ogden says the Marigolds and Murals project is becoming a real big attraction for tourists who often comment about them when cruise ship season is here.
