Ancor North's Renee Smith and Rebecca Clark, Ace Hardware of Chickamauga's Angie Day and Jennifer Richardson and Chickamuaga Public Library manager Renee Roeder join a group from Ancor North behind Ancor North's adopted raised garden at the library.
Photo by Timara FrassrandThe Chickamauga Public Library is in need of green thumbs and helping hands to support its landscaping project.
Library Manager Renee Roeder said the library has three raised beds and she sees them as an ideal opportunity for education and beautification.
"The raised beds are a teaching mechanism," she said. "The plants educate the kids as they watch how plants grow and learn about the process."
The raised beds are a yearlong commitment and can be utilized for endless possibilities for whatever the group wants to grow. Roeder said there is no requirement about what to plant, which can encompass much more than flowers. The beds are available to any type of group, adults or kids.
"Groups can learn from the different beds and they become a teaching tool," Roeder said. "Whether it's a 4-H or women's club who adopts a bed, there's a teaching opportunity."
Friends of the Library donated the boxes and two benches, which will be installed for use later this month.
"We want to beautify our landscape so that people can enjoy it while they visit the library," Roeder said.
One of the raised beds has been adopted and is already being put to good use. It was adopted by Ancor North, with the sponsorship of Ace Hardware, and is being used to teach a group of intellectually and developmentally disabled adults gardening and maintenance.
"We planted perennials and annuals because we wanted to teach our group about a combination of flowers," said Ancor North supported employment specialist Rebecca Clark.
The group visits the library once a week and is learning everything from gardening basics to the upkeep and maintenance of the raised beds.
Those interested in adopting a raised bed can contact Roeder at 706-375-3004.