Several months ago, the Troup County Master Gardener extension volunteers offered their services to help the county by planning and installing the landscaping around the newly renovated Hillcrest Fire Station.

It will be done in phases. Phase one was to install the plants around the building. Later, plants will be installed near the entrance drive, the hillside that comes down from the road, and the area around the convenience center.

On Saturday morning, June 13, four Troup County Master Gardener extension volunteers with the help of several inmates from the Troup County Correctional Institution installed shrubs and day lilies around the fire station building. Robert Ledet was the leader of the group and others helping were Alice Christenson, Leighanne Hagan and Becky McLeod.

Prior to the installation, Brian Maddy, Robert Ledet and Joan Benz met with Dexter Wells and Fire Chief Dennis Knight at the fire station to develop a planting plan for the area around the building and make suggestions for the other areas. These will be developed later after the county completes renovations to the grounds around the building and the convenience center.