A few dozen Rosemead High School students are growing up in life like their classmates. And, these few dozen students are also doing something positive to help the community “grow up” by starting Panther Farm and installing and developing a native plant garden by the school marquee sign at the corner of Rosemead Boulevard and Mission Drive, which may be one of the most heavily traveled intersections in San Gabriel Valley.

And, what is even better, they are using drip irrigation to save a lot of water now and in the future while still providing enough water for the plants, said Joe Vasquez, director of Panther Farm and an English teacher at Rosemead High School. Vasquez recently earned his Master Gardener certificate from County of Los Angeles after he completed weeks of educational training.

The marquee area was difficult to prepare as a rototiller was the best tool for the area yet the dirt was hard and there were some tree roots. Rosemead High School Coach Chuck Lyons volunteered and rototilled the area, and the students prepared the landscape that included a rain catch basin so during rains the water will be caught and stay in the garden instead of running off into the street.

Local water supplier California American Water Co. made a major financial contribution and Eco Tech Services, Inc. put in a drip irrigation system along with matting and layers of mulch so the irrigation isn’t even seen. Vasquez said Rosemead High School is very happy California American Water contributed to the project that includes student and community involvement, concern for earth and volunteering.

He also said others helping are City of Rosemead, Rosemead Chamber of Commerce, City of El Monte, Southern California Edison, the Whole Kids Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps, San Gabriel Nursery, Eco Tech Services, National Wildlife Foundation, and Los Angeles Chapter of United States Green Buildings Council.

“We are happy more and more students are joining Panther Farm,” said Vasquez. “We started with a handful of students and now have about three dozen students participating at different times. On a recent Saturday morning it looked almost like a school day there were so many students volunteering their time to weed, spread mulch, plant and maintain our water-wise drip irrigation native plant garden by the school marquee at the front of the school and also develop our Panther Farm.”

On campus at Panther Farm, students recently removed grass sod that was put another place on campus, prepared the soil, and then planted an apple orchard with three varieties that should grow well in the local climate, according to Vasquez. The varieties are Anna, Fuji, and Gala.

Students have also used two-liter soft drink bottles to create a “container garden” area, which is ideal for people who wish to grow herbs or flowers in small areas, stated Vasquez.

Students also volunteer to spread mulch in other areas of the school to help beautify the campus.

“Students volunteer on most Mondays and Wednesdays after school for an hour so they have time for schoolwork and other activities,” emphasized Vasquez. “They are learning life lessons about working together as a community on campus and within our city, they learn about our environment, and they are great role models for other students, which is working because more students continue to come and join Panther Farm.”

Vasquez said everyone is proud of these students as they continue to “grow up in life in a positive way” and help the local community “grow up” in leaving a great legacy from their high school years.”

Thanks to a major donation by California American Water Co. dozens of students at Rosemead High School are learning about native plants and drip irrigation.

Nathan Au (left) and Anthony Camacho volunteer in Rosemead High School’s first water-wise garden by school marquee that introduces native plants and drip irrigation to the school and local community.