The St. Francis Sustainable Garden Project supports the hungry, at-risk children and their families in our area. We use a garden plot in front of the St. Francis rectory where we grow and harvest herbs, vegetables and flowers. In past years each harvest has produced over 180 lbs. of produce- all delivered to the pantry at Foundations Preschool of Ann Arbor, - child care center for at-risk, low-income families.

The St. Francis Grounds & Botanical Gardens: Several gardens surround the St Francis of Assisi campus of buildings, including, but not limited to, the church, school, rectory and/or parish offices. These gardens need to be a beautiful expression of hospitality, in particular, the entrances, to our fellow parishioners and visitors as well as reflect a statement of our appreciation for God's creation and nature.

Questions? Contact: Scott Wright (734-821-2121)

Updates and Events

Dear All,
 
Many thanks to all who helped at the Seed/Plant Sale on May 11 (Sunday), Garden Maintenance on May 17 (Saturday), and the initiation of the watering/weeding routine/schedule.
 
May 11 Seed/Plant Sale (on Mother's Day)
 
A very successful sale occurred a week ago on Sunday with the help of Erich and Ann Marie Jensen, Rose, Patrick, John and Don Sherry, Frank Fazekas, Joan and Bob Meagher, and Katy Derezinski and netted us nearly $280 in sales.  Hot sellers were the basil, tomato and pepper plants donated by Turner's nursery, and a broad selection of native plants like wild columbine, wild ginger, goats beard, autumn joy sedum, wild coral bells, Solomon seal and more from St Francis volunteer gardens.  Seeds donated by Hart Seed AND BBB Seed company were also available. The morning was beautiful, sunny and comfortable, as we set up to catch those leaving 7 am mass and completing/tearing down the display well after the conclusion of the 10:30 am mass and meeting those parishioners arriving for 12:30 pm mass.  Unsold plants have made/are making their way into the gardens.
 
May 17 Garden Maintenance
 
Rose, Patrick and John Sherry and Susan Bass met at the garden on this cool morning at 9:00 to:
  • unload compost
  • weeding  beds
  • finish installing the fencing.
  • check out why the rain barrels are filling 
Erich Jensen hand delivered (and assured safe return storage of) the newly "purchased by the parish" wheelbarrow, as the other one, it seems has disappeared, and Tracy Nagy kindly delivered another load of city compost to our garden site.  Many thanks, Tracy.
Planting was postponed because of threat of frost and the coldness of the soil until Thursday May 22nd and or Friday May 23rd. 
 
Overall Gardens Status
 
  1. The Main Sustainable Garden (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are nearly all planted with spinach, sugar snap peas, onions, carrots, beets, potatoes, parsley and garlic sprouting and emerging from the soil.  Several bundles of asparagus have been harvested and delivered to Perry Nursery School.
  2. Bramble and Rhubarb Garden (Peter):  All plants have leafy growth and at least 10 bundles of rhubarb have been delivered to Perry Nursery School.  2 white spruce were planted and a holly bush transplanted from the west front church steps planter.
  3. Rectory Garden:  Autumn Joy Sedum, Wild Columbine, a Red Bud Sapling, 2 white spruce and 7 red twigged dogwood have been planted and most are thriving.  4 plugs of Indian Grass were added to eventually mask most of the compost bins were also planted.  Part of the garden has already been mulched.
  4. Paul Garden (near parish office):  Native plants are thriving, and several more have been added to the east end nursery including Black Eyed Susan, Cardinal Flower, Pennsylvania Sedge, and Ironweed.  Squash and Watermelon seeds have been planted, and the Lemon Thyme plants were moved to the perimeter of the main sustainable garden.
  5. Native Plant Bed (near Paul Garden)(needs a name):  This area is still being cleared and needs a bit more attention to remove grass and eventually supplement the entire bed with top soil and/or compost.  Stay tuned for additional needed help.
  6. Church Front Steps Planters:  East and West Planters were cleared of holly and hosta plants.  Holly was transplanted to parking lot bed and Peter bed.  Hosta was moved to beds under trees along walkway from main parking lot along the front retaining wall.  2 Red Twigged Dogwood and 1 Blackshaw Viburnum were planted in the east and west planter, respectively.  More plants to come include Purple Coneflower and Black Eyed Susan.  Other native plant ideas are welcome.
 
Miscellaneous
 
  1. A colorfully painted rain barrel donated by Amy Gottfried and her St Francis Girl Scout troop was installed along the parish office wall by Glen Gottfried this past week.
  2. Donations to date include a variety of supplies and money from Kroger, Meijer, Turner's Nursery, Downtown Home and Garden, Ace Hardware, and the Wildflower Association of Michigan.  Please spread the word and support these local businesses and organizations.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Erich Jensen
Master Gardener
Co-coordinator St Francis of Assisi Sustainable Gardens

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