Here's My Great Green Idea!

Though gardening isn't exactly an "original" idea, gardening with native plants in a "coal-mine-turned-churchyard" might be!

The mountaintop that includes the property we work, in times past, found itself fallen prey to the ravages of mining. Later, golf course development continued an assault on the natural landscape. In an effort to restore the damage, my husband and I (caretakers for our church) have begun a native "prayer garden" here....

The installation costs have been minimal, most plants having been "rescued" or "donated". The work itself remains "low impact", accomplished in stages, using mostly garden tools.

Our goal has been twofold:
1) to PLANT - for increased diversity
(there are now almost 300 species
where once there was ONE : FESCUE!)
.....and for less mowing, fertiliz-
ing, and watering (we were pleased
with how the garden performed during
last year's drought!)

and.....

2) to RAISE AWARENESS - for our Creator
and the opportunity to manage His
earthly gifts in a compassionate,
worshipful and less consuming
manner.

Congregants are enjoying the bloom, fragrance, fruit and increased wildlife in the garden. Important lessons learned are "duplication" (ideas are taken HOME), and "conservation" (lovely, easy natives mean a better quality of life for ALL!)