An ongoing project in the Environmental Science class will provide beauty and sustainability for years to come at the Galesburg Junior Senior High School campus. Students were tasked with creating native gardens in the planter spaces throughout the teacher parking lot.
First, students created the plans for the planters once they were advised of the conditions of the gardens. The soil is composed of clay and the area will receive full sun and periods of dryness due to high heat and evaporation.
Students also needed to accommodate staff's ability to get in and out of their vehicles, so the plants can not be overgrown on the edges. The height of the plants would need to be limited to 4 feet in the center, and get smaller as they move to the edges of the garden.
Five different themes were settled on to meet the needs of various area species, a pollinator garden, a hummingbird garden, a songbird garden, and a garden for the endangered, Karner blue butterfly.
Once the plans were approved by Dr. Asplund, the plants were ordered. Students are also cold-stratifying (simulation of the natural growing process) milkweed seeds to plant in the gardens.
As the plants arrive, students in Environmental Science as well as horticulture students along with FFA members are planting and placing temporary cages around the plants to keep rabbits and squirrels from eating the roots. They will also water the area until the plants are established.
According to Carole Buebe, Environmental Science teacher at the High School, "The plants are perennials so we are creating permanent gardens that should be self-sufficient and provide a habitat and food for native species."
The gardens will be enjoyed by the staff, visitors and community for years to come.
