Lincoln-Way East 'House of Blooms' Open for Business May 2

Spring plant sales are underway for the students who run the Lincoln-Way East High School House of Blooms.

Months of hard work and delicate nurturing have paid off for the students in the Special Services Transition Program at Lincoln-Way East who run the House of Blooms. 

“The kids in the transition program have done an awesome job,” said Joshua Kreske, the transitional coordinator at Lincoln-Way East.

Students have been growing hundreds of spring plants in the school’s greenhouse (House of Blooms) since January and are ready to begin selling them to the community.

The spring plants available include annuals: Impatiens, Coleus, Geraniums, Petunias, Begonias, and Marigolds; Wandering Jew and Swedish Ivy potted plants; Tomatoes and Pepper plants. Perennials include: Shasta Daisy; Black Eyed Susan; and Pink Cone Flower.

The spring plants go on sale Saturday, May 3 from 9-12 noon and Saturday, May 10. Weekly hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday –Friday until they are sold out.

The cost of the spring flowers are:

• $2 a six pack/$12 a flat for all annuals excluding geraniums
• $3 a six pack/$18 a flat for geraniums
• $5 Wandering Jew/Swedish Ivy
• $7 Perennials
  
• $2 per plant for vegetables

Students began growing the seeds in January, learning how to keep them moist in early stages and then pinching their tops to promote growth.

Students also rotate the plants on a regular basis in the greenhouse to make sure each one benefits from the natural light they receive.

About 50 students were involved in the project, giving them an opportunity to learn valuable job skills, such as how to work as a team, how to follow multi-step directions, how to advocate for themselves, and how to problem solve.

“The purpose is to develop the students’ skills within the transition program,” states Kreske. “Students are not only gaining knowledge about how to grow plants but how to work as a member of a team, how to follow multi-step directions, and how to problem solve. They’re also learning and developing their skills in the areas of bookkeeping, computer data entry, inventory, proper job/ work behaviors, sales, marketing, and independence.”

“This is the 5th year of the program. All money earned from sales goes back into the program to buy supplies for poinsettia plant sale next December,” added Kreske.

Community members interested in purchasing a spring plants may contact the Special Services Department at 815-464-4121 or email houseofblooms@lw210.org.

Spring plants go on sale starting Saturday, May 2 until they are sold out.

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