Michael Tannebaum/Journal Scene

Second-grader Madison Bullock does some gardening at a wildlife habitat nestled behind Summerville Elementary.

Michael Tannebaum/Journal Scene

Summerville Elementary second-graders Nia Portis and Jack Robinson survey the garden that they and their classmates have created.

Michael Tannebaum/Journal Scene

Summerville Elementary second-grader Ruthie Baggett prepares to plant a perennial in a wildlife garden that she and her classmates made.

Wiping sweat from her forehead with one of her soil-covered hands and clutching a perennial plant in the other, Summerville Elementary second-grader Ruthie Baggett recited a saying that she and her classmates use to help remember an essential gardening tidbit: Plant it high, it won’t die; plant it low, it won’t grow.

Armed with this knowledge, Baggett and classmate Madison Bullock scooped a little extra soil into a freshly dug hole in the ground, which will house one of the roughly 60 plants that make up the wildlife habitat that Elizabeth Crotty’s second-grade class has been working on for the past several months.

At least once a week, for roughly two hours at a time, the students have swapped pencil and paper for soil and shovels. The location of the impressive garden, behind Summerville Elementary, was selected for its proximity to some previously existing blackberry bushes – which provide snacks for both the students and wildlife – and a ditch that serves as a source of water for the plants and animals that call the area home.

In addition to the various plants in the garden, which include wax myrtles, coneflowers and coreopsis, the garden houses several bird feeders, a birdhouse and a tunnel for reptiles to grab a respite from the sun. Nearby sit two wooden tables, which convert to benches.

Since the students began the project, which is funded by an Education Improvement Act grant, Carolina Wren and Blue Jays are among the birds that the students have spotted in the garden and tiny birds called nuthatches have moved into the large, wooden birdhouse.

Crotty, who looped up with her class this year, began teaching her students about plants last year as part of the first-grade curriculum. This year, her class has learned about wildlife and habitats, one of the second-grade standards. Creating the garden has allowed the students to put what they have learned to use for the betterment of the school and environment, Crotty says.

Upon completion of the project, the young landscapers will not only have the gorgeous garden as a reminder of their tireless efforts, they will also have certificates declaring each of them Junior Master Gardeners.

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com

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