On Saturday, Sept. 29, students and teachers from Autrey Mill Middle School joined with the North Fulton Master Gardeners for a planting workday for their outdoor classroom area.

Science teachers Kristine Clements, Todd Shellnut and Sarah Philpot, along with Assistant Principal Nan Flickinger, wanted to make the outdoor classroom area more inviting to use and certify it as a wildlife area. A team of North Fulton Master Gardeners helped the teachers choose plants that would bloom during the school year, be drought tolerant and enhance the look of the barren courtyard. Figs, pomegranete, and blueberry bushes were installed to expose students to how these fruits grow.

On Saturday, students from science classes, Jr. BETA Club and the Eco Club teamed up to help their teachers dig holes, plant and spread mulch. Master Gardeners were on hand to help students with compost and soil preparation.