A community garden project bringing together more than 50 participants from a cross-section of Covington-area groups will put down roots, literally and figuratively, on Saturday, April 25. The Garden of Hope project will plant seeds and starter plants in two garden locations: the grounds of Turner Lake Recreation Center and another location on Turner Lake Circle. This is step two of the project; beds were cleared and prepared on January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009. Many groups will come together for the planting. During the growing season the gardens will be maintained by students from Georgia Perimeter College, the Department of Juvenile Justice and other youth groups, and produce from the gardens will be donated to local efforts for hunger.

The planting will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the raised garden beds at Turner Lake Recreation Center and the traditional garden bed on Turner Lake Circle. The day will bring together more than 50 people from a wide variety of community groups, including: Oxford College volunteer organizations – Volunteer Oxford and Bonner Leaders, Hands on Newton, Department of Juvenile Justice, Newton County Agricultural Extension Service, Newton County Master Gardeners, Georgia Perimeter College and students from Newton, Alcovy and Eastside High Schools. Agricultural classes from these schools grew and donated the bedding plants that will be installed.