LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club recently visited the student garden at Lower Lake taught by Lisa Rogers, environmental science and gardening teacher to all K-7 students at Lower Lake Elementary School.

The group entered the garden by ducking through a wire trellis with low-hanging gourds that may end up as future art projects.

The children were sitting around a bench getting ready to make holiday decorations out of sticks and ribbon. All were quite enthusiastic and welcomed club members with a “thank you” banner and a “flower” fan with words of appreciation. 

The club then was given a tour of the school by Rogers and students Alee and Regan of their vegetables, flowers and herb gardens. Jaxson also presented the block raised bed that his dad built. 

All of the children were quite proud of their achievements. When asked what part of the gardening they liked best, they said “all of it.”

As club members left, the children were working on painting rocks. One rock was painted “Bee Nice” and a smiley face on the other side. 

The portable classroom and all of its contents for Rogers' classes were damaged by the Clayton fire. All of it has to be removed.  Also their garden shed completely burned down with all gardening materials. 

The Lakeshore Lions Club has replaced the shed and Rogers anticipates the damaged portable classroom will be removed and replaced sometime next summer.

In the meantime, classes continue and they make do. The children are resilient and enthusiastic about gardening. Rogers said it is hard to keep the vegetables since the children keep eating them. 

The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club has donated $2,000 to this student garden as well as another $2,000 to seven other youth gardens located in Kelseyville, Lakeport, Cobb, Lower Lake High School and Upper Lake.

These donations were made possible through the “Hidden Gardens of Lake County” garden tour this spring and the support of the people of Lake County.

The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club is a member of the Mendo-Lake District of the California Garden Club Inc.-Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc. For more information call Dana at 707-275-3500.