A10
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
GROW
Students hone green thumbs, customers reap beneits
Greenhouse is
open with plants,
flowers galore
By Angel Carpenter
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — Green
plants and lowers of many va-
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rieties are going gangbusters at
the Grant Union Junior-Senior
High School Greenhouse.
Garden goodies from the
student-run nursery are in high
demand, as locals prepare for
the growing season.
While the plants grow, stu-
dents do too, learning the skills
to help them in everyday life.
They learn to care for the
plants, make transplants and
also work in customer service
as they make the sales.
“I’ve learned it can be hard
to care for plants, but it’s worth
it in the end,” said student Di-
amond Workman. “We make
sure they’re properly watered
with not too much dirt, if
they’re in a pot.”
“We’re learning about ag-
riculture,” said student Crys-
tal Wimberly. “You learn how
long it takes for plants to ger-
minate. It’s amazing to watch
from start to inish.”
“I’m pretty much the wa-
ter boy out here,” said student
Mason Kidd. “One thing I’ve
learned is how much water the
plants need. You don’t want to
water them too much. I like
working with the group.”
Student Damion Young
said he’s taking his green
thumb skills beyond school
and is planting some sunlow-
Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter
Grant Union students, from left, Crystal Wimberley, Cheyenne Gentis and
Diamond Workman work at transplanting tomatoes May 5 at the school’s
greenhouse.
ers at home.
Workman said she’s plant-
ing cucumbers at home, and
Wimberley planned to grow
pumpkins.
Educational assistant Lloy-
dene Thomas said it was Betty
Boyd Britton
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Jones who started the green-
house in 1999, with students
and parents helping construct
it.
“The kids take ownership
of the plants they’re caring
for — if they planted peppers,
they’re checking out how their
seeds are doing,” she said.
She said the skills they
learn help them build their re-
sume to ind competitive jobs
in the future.
Meanwhile, the customers
enjoy the fruits of the students’
labor.
Thomas said some people
drive a good distance to ind
the tomato variety they’re
looking for, right at the Grant
Union Greenhouse.
The types of tomatoes in-
clude Roma, Donna, Beefsteak
and Calypso, as well as cher-
ry tomatoes, and tomatillos, a
cousin of the tomato.
The greenhouse is located
behind Grant Union module
buildings, which are located on
the north side of the school, 911
S. Canyon Blvd. in John Day.
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The greenhouse stays open
until the end of the school year
or until they run out of plants.
For more information, call
the school at 541-575-1799.
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The Eagle/Angel Carpenter
Grant Union students
Damion Young, left, and
Mason Kidd keep the
school’s greenhouse
thriving.
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Get set for
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everything to
spruce up your
home, inside
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Shop Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday 10-4, Closed Sunday
during the spring, while the fall
and winter bring falling leaves,
ice and snow into the mix.
Protective homeowners use
the summer season to give their
gutters some TLC before and af-
ter the elements come into play.
Doing so can help identify leaks,
cracks or blocked downspouts
that can lead to costly repairs
once the weather turns.
So between vacations or trips
to the beach, be sure to spend a
Saturday afternoon checking in
on one of the most important
structural aspects to your home:
The gutter system.
Cleaning Safety
A simple cleaning can go a
long way to extending the life
of your gutters. If you choose to
undertake this project yourself,
keep in mind some safety tips:
• Make sure you have a stur-
dy standalone ladder – one that
you don’t have to lean against
the home or gutter system.
• Always take your time
heading up and down a ladder,
and make sure to let a family
member know that you will be
doing ladder work.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for
help in steadying the ladder as
you use it.
• Also, remember a durable
pair of gloves and protective
eyewear. The last thing you want
to happen is to poke one of your
eyes with a twig or small branch.
Check Your Work
Once you clean out all of the
leaves, sticks and other obstruc-
tions, check for leaks. Rinse the
gutter downspout with a garden
hose to remove all leftover items
and check for smooth water
low. Crank the hose up a bit,
allowing you to really test your
gutters for leaks or blockages.
Obstructed downspouts can
lead to water and, eventually, ice
buildup once the weather turns
colder. This can contribute to
shingle damage and even interi-
or leaks – both potentially costly
issues that can be mitigated with
some simple gutter care.