Surrounded Wednesday by fellow after school students, Makayla Clemons (center), dives into mulch poured into Mellon Elementary School raised flower beds by Jimmy Townsend, Director of Operations for Keep Putnam Beautiful. The organization donated the mulch; Mellon students spread it and will plant vegetables and flowering plants in the beds and along a white concrete wall where last year sunflowers grew.
Mellon 21st Century After School student Tinley Cantrell releases a love bug as she and other second graders spread mulch donated to the program Wednesday by Keep Putnam Beautiful.
The prolific love bug catcher is also an avid gardener.
"It's fun," Tinley said of working in the soil. "My nana and I garden all the time. We grow vegetables and flowers."
After school gardener Antonia Lamberti spreads mulch by hand Wednesday at Mellon Elementary School. After school kids spread mulch, mixing it with native soil in which they will grow vegetables.
Tekevion Frazier (right) watches his friend, love bug whisperer Tinley Cantrell, release another of the insects Wednesday, as behind them fellow students spread mulch for their after school garden at Mellon.
