Young gardeners learn through landscaping

PALMER -- Ten kids crawled through dirt, dust and leaves as they landscaped a small patch of earth outside the Scenic View Building in downtown Palmer Wednesday afternoon. The kids are members of the Northern Stars 4-H Junior Master Gardener's Club, a four-year, hands-on program designed to introduce kids to the concepts of water cycles, landscape design, plant propagation and soil and water conservation.

Karen Reed is an 8-year-old Palmer girl who was up to her elbows in dirt Wednesday, as she dug holes for the new plants.

"We're making it pretty for people out here," Reed said, as she shoveled out a little hole for the next plant.

The kids first set down a foundation of leaves, compost and dirt so the plants will have a healthy base to grow from.

Organized in 2003 through volunteers, the Gardener's Club is the first and only in the Valley. The club's mission is to teach beginning horticulture to young Valley residents by getting them outdoors and involved with the natural elements. Community service is part of their program, and according to organizer, Carol Reed, each child receives a Junior Master Gardener certificate upon successful completion of the program.

Sally Coppenberg, owner of Stonehill Gardens, donated the plants, while Kerry Hondl, owner of the Scenic View Building, donated most of the other items for the landscape project.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.