When third-grade Tryon Elementary School teacher Kim McCool approached school parent April Kelley this May to help with an end-of-year school project, she had no idea the flowering window boxes she suggested would become a beautiful hillside garden.
Kelley teamed up with fellow parent Carolyne Rostick and started reaching out to other parents, including Jill Mize of Big Frog Nursery. Thinking a few petunias could be donated for the window boxes, Kelley soon found out that Big Frog Nursery did not grow annuals but would gladly donate plants and shrubs. They soon realized that the hillside was not conditioned to grow these plants, and so the beautification project was born.
School grandparent Billy Price of Price Landscaping was asked to assist with the project and agreed to donate an irrigation system necessary for the hot summer months ahead.
Jay Hardin of Jay’s Lawn Service and Landscaping came on board by designing this “ever-growing” project. Hardin removed multiple tree stumps and placed a silt fence donated by The Hay Rack. He also suggested using soil conditioner to ensure the plants donated by Big Frog Nursery would thrive for years to come.
Rostick reached out to Bibi Freer of Freer Equine and copious amounts of “conditioner” of a horsy nature were donated. On the day the plants were delivered, third-grade students enjoyed an outdoor class session with Richard Smith to learn about different soil types, how each held water and basic planting skills. In addition, each third-grade student – assisted by a parent, grandparent or community volunteer – placed a shrub or plant on “their bank.”
Once the plants were in place, Henson’s Mulch and More delivered enough mulch to complete not only this project but also to help beautify the school grounds in other areas.