DERRY — A new program in town will give young gardeners a chance to grow.

Derry Parks and Recreation announces registration for its new Lil' Sprouts Club, a children's gardening class open to youth ages 5 and up.

The class is under the guidance of Derry's horticulture technology expert Harriet Cohen-Alexander, who tends the town's gardens, plantings and floral designs at various locations around the community. She also works in the greenhouse at Don Ball Park off Humphrey Road, and when the season is right, she grows flowers and plants until they are ready to move to other spots in Derry.

The premise of Lil' Sprouts, according to Cohen-Alexander, is to acclimate children to the joys of gardening, while growing produce and flowers. Not only will the participants experience what it takes to grow plants for themselves, but will also learn about the importance of helping those around the world in need of food.

Cohen-Alexander said there is nothing more natural and wonderful than getting your hands dirty in the earth to plant seeds and plan for the harvest. She wants the children in the group to learn how much fun it is to plan a garden and see the fruits of their labor, from beginning to end.

Cohen-Alexander once told the Derry News she couldn't remember a time when gardens and flowers weren't part of her life. After working for many decades in one job, she decided to take that love of the earth and plants and make a career out of it.

"I was a curious kid," she said. "I didn't play with dolls."

After earning degrees in horticulture technology through the University of New Hampshire Thompson School of Applied Science, she became part of the Derry Parks and Recreation team, tending the town's plants and gardens, and working to design and carry out colorful foliage and flowers at community spots including Gallien's Beach and Don Ball Park.

During the colder months, she begins to plan what she hopes to grow in the town greenhouse at Don Ball Park and starts to organize her projects for the warmer months ahead.

The idea for Lil' Sprouts began when a group of people came together to discuss the possibility of putting Cohen-Alexander's talents to work with the children in the area.

"We all loved the name," she said, adding the program will include projects like learning what it means to grow, learning about the "scary" bugs that may inhabit a garden and how to appreciate the insects and creatures that share the earth with them.

"It's exciting," Cohen-Alexander said. "I want (children) to be excited about growing, too, and not be afraid."

By taking on the Lil' Sprouts Club, she will share her love of gardening and flowers with area children and, hopefully, will help them gain more of a fondness for the world of dirt and plants. She said there is no better place to be than close to nature, in a garden or tending a budding blossom.

"When you are in the dirt, you are as close to God as you will ever be," she said. "(I want the children) to gain the knowledge that they can do it."

Lil' Sprouts will meet for eight weeks beginning Saturday, April 10, at Don Ball Park. Participants are not required to attend all sessions and will rotate weeks with other club members. Activities will be planned according to the size of the classes, Cohen-Alexander said.

Registration fee is $10 per child and information is available online at www.derry.nh.us/recreation or by calling Derry Parks and Recreation at 432-6136.