Saddle Creek Garden Club and Community Beautify Copper School

What has been a two year effort to beautify the front grounds of Copper school finally came to fruition on March 23, 2013 when 25 members of the Saddle Creek Garden club, the community, the school and youth came together to plant 182 plants on the slope by the bus pick-up/drop-off. What once was a section of rocky land filled with goat head plants and other weeds is now a lush evergreen garden filled with Nandina, spira deponica, juniper and some rosemary. All plants were considered for their safety. Plants that drew bees were avoided, unless planted far away from the student waiting area, as were trees that could block the view of the school from the road and the view of the waiting students from the school grounds.

Two years ago the Saddle Creek Garden club (SCGC) began in earnest raising funds through their garden tours (one coming up this May) and through donations of time, materials and expertise. They received some additional funding from the Coperopolis Elementary PTC and the Lake Tulloch Lions Club. They also received a discount on the purchase of their plants from Rising Sun Nursery in Burson. Sierra Landscape helped with irrigation and Leslie Temple of Novis Landscaping created the original landscape plan.

As the planting 'party' was coming to a close president of the SCGC, Bonnie Schaefer, brought together all volunteers to thank publicly Francisco Munoz, father to students who had graduated Copper Elementary, for all his hard work in digging all 182 holes for the plants. Francisco said, "I feel part of this community, when Bonnie called me to help I was honored."

Superintendent Julia Tidball and Principal Karen Vail were both active volunteers at the event. Tidball said, "This makes me happy. Its beautiful."

All that was left to be done at the end of the day was the spreading of yards and yards of gorilla hair through the garden area to cover the exposed dirt and inhibit weed growth. This too was going to be accomplished by none other than Francisco.

by,
Charity Maness