Somerset County Creates ‘Bulb Planting' DIY Video

Press release from the Somerset County Government:

03/24/2022 11:02 AM

Somerset County Commissioners Deputy Director Melonie Marano and Paul M. Drake, SCADB members, and staff at New Jersey Eastern Star Home hold packages to be donated to care-center residents.

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Agricultural Development Board (SCADB) is celebrating Agricultural Month virtually by launching its indoor bulb-planting Do It Yourself (DIY) videos. The SCADB chose to create the “Dig In: Root Where You Are” DIY videos after receiving an overwhelmingly positive response for its virtual 2021 “Dig In” series from the general public and residents of long-term care facilities.

“Since opportunities for outdoor group activities are still limited, the Ag Board decided to continue its Ag Month celebration virtually,” said Somerset County Commissioner Paul M. Drake. “We’ve created DIY bulb-planting videos that are perfect for those who can’t get outside and garden or don’t have access to big backyards. The videos are great for people who want to learn how to plant flowers indoors and watch the flowers bloom right on their windowsills.”

“During the COVID lockdown we received such a positive response from long-term care residents for our 2021 virtual ‘Dig In’ series. They said they felt less confined, and as if they were right there with us at the farms,” said Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano. “The video is great for long-term care residents, so they can easily learn how to grow flowers indoors and brighten their living space.”

As part of the Ag Month celebration, the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the SCADB, Plant Something, and Final Touch Plantscaping donated special bulb-planting packages to the New Jersey Eastern Star Home, a non-profit care facility located in Bridgewater. The packages containing tulip bulbs, dirt, pots, stickers, coloring books, and colored pencils were assembled by Rutgers students and Somerset County employees. The packages were delivered to the facility so the residents could follow along with the DIY video and plant the bulbs in real-time.

The “Bulb Planting” video is set indoors at the scenic Garden Center at Madden Farms, located in Franklin, NJ. The DIY video features Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano, Commissioner Paul M. Drake, member of the SCADB and Horticultural Therapy Practitioner Laura DePrado who provides step-by-step instructions for planting bulbs indoors. She also discusses the mental health benefits of gardening, as well as tips and tricks for windowsill planting, such as choosing the right size container for bulb planting, and how to jump-start bulb growth before planting the bulbs outdoors during the colder months.

In addition to the videos, physical copies of the coloring books, trading cards, and more are also available throughout the Somerset County library system. Click here to view the videos, and for more activities.

Somerset County Agricultural Development Board
Since the SCADB’s inception in 1983, over 8,630 acres of farmland in Somerset County have been preserved successfully with the assistance of municipalities, the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, and the State Agriculture Development Committee. The SCADB also is responsible for resolving farmer-stewardship issues, mediation of right-to-farm matters, is a liaison to the County Board of Commissioners on agricultural-related issues, Advises the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners on all matters, disseminates information to farmers about agricultural-related issues, and educates the public on the importance of agriculture in Somerset County.

Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC
Owned by Horticulture Practitioner Laura DePrado whose mission is to provide education about horticulture, foster environmental preservation, make a people-plant connection, and provide quality service to clients.

New Jersey Eastern Star Home
A non-profit nursing center serving clients for over 60 years, New Jersey Eastern Star Home provides sub-acute patients with therapy and personalized treatment plans. The facility provides an environment truly conducive to recovery with a unique, individual approach to caring for their community.

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This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.