Gardeners, mark your calendars! One month from today, April 27, marks the opening day of the annual one week plant sale in Susan Collins Lawn, Gardening and Gifts Enterprise class in the Richland One Works (ROW) program at Heyward Career and Technology Center in Richland School District One.

While students have been studying and working in horticulture since the beginning of the school year in August, by spring they are up to their elbows in potting soil transplanting seedlings and cuttings for the sale.

Throughout the year they learn by doing, how to use garden tools, how to maintain a greenhouse, propagate, irrigate, transplant, and fertilize plants. The biology of plants is learned while working with the photosynthesizers. Their skills qualify them to maintain the decorative planters at the front of the school.

In addition to the greenhouse nursery, they create garden gifts like tire planters, colorful mosaic tiles, ceramics, and bird feeders. Once a month students host a farmer's market selling fresh produce through a food co- op. Students sort, package, and deliver the fruits and vegetables to co- op members.

Augustine Signe- Talla, teacher aide (back right) works beside Quanisha Shannon while Susan Collins works between Stephanie Stevens (back left) and Reba Hill during transplanting. Collins' class is run like a business. Students clock in to class as if they were at a job, and they are. Her special needs students take part in school- based enterprises that transition students from school to the work force at graduation. Students keep a career portfolio documenting their accomplishments.

Their large domed greenhouse looks like a jungle as they prepare for the plant sale. Houseplants propagated by cutting and division hang from ceiling supports.

Coneflowers, datura, and hibiscus are popular perennials sown each year. Flats of marigold and verbena will be in flower by late April. Pentas are already in bloom. Gourds, tomatoes, peppers, yellow squash, and zucchini will be available as will herbs like agastache, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

Tree seedlings will be for sale too. Everything sold has been grown by students and 100 percent of the revenue raised goes back into the program. Funds are used to renew supplies like premiere Fafard potting soil and to fund student field trips. They will be touring a Charlestown tea plantation this spring.

Terrance Davis and Susan Collins prepare the transplant table. The plant sale runs from April 27 through May 1 from 9 am until 5 pm at the Greenhouse at Heyward Career and Technology Center, 3560 Lynhaven Drive in Columbia. Plants range in price from one to five dollars. Student- made garden gifts will also be for sale.

If you would like to contribute recyclables to Collins' program, they can use plant containers, blank ceramic tiles, Plexiglas and scrap wood. Just bring it, when you come to the sale.

Kyuanna Downing removes any weeds from plant pots. Roshawn Salley carries a tray of new transplants inside the greenhouse at Heyward.