Sunflowers for Salty
May 30, 2023
Colleen Andrews of the Mattapoisett Lands Trust helps students peel back seedling roots to help them reach the soil. Photos by: Taylor Fruzzetti
Students took turns planting their seedlings.
In addition to planting seedlings, students learned about the life-cycle of a sunflower.
Bowden Zuther and Oliver Costa getting their hands dirty.
MATTAPOISETT — Salty the Seahorse got a makeover on Tuesday, May 30 thanks to second grade students at Center School.
Fifty-one students planted sunflower seedlings at Dunesith Gardens on North Street .
According to Mattapoisett Lands Trust Chair Ellen Flynn, the activity, prepared in collaboration with the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, is part of the Land’s Trust’s educational program.
After learning about the life-cycle of a sunflower and embarking on a story-time walk through the gardens, students got down in the dirt.
“Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty,” said Mattapoisett Lands Trust member and gardening instructor Don Cuddy, who provided the sunflower seedlings.
Cuddy was inspired to grow the seedlings in response to the Russia-Ukraine War, he said, noting that Ukraine is “one of the biggest exporters of sunflowers in the world.”
“Sunflowers are good for pollinators and the birds eat the seeds,” said Cuddy. “It’s a win win.”
After students planted their seedlings, they “gave [the plants] a drink from watering cans.
Although seven-year-old Brinley Roberts said her favorite flowers are tulips, she said that she was excited to see her flower grow next to Salty the Seahorse.
“When I go by I will say, ‘that’s my flower,’” said Brinley.
