Dear All,The St Francis Sustainable Gardens have been put to bed for the winter. While Rose Sherry soloed on Friday with the entire bean pole tear down (Wow), Frank Fazekas and Barbara Campbell joined Erich and Ann Marie Jensen this morning for:
- Removal of remaining annuals in Francis
- Cleanup (mostly) of the church's front steps planters
- Planting of 2 rows of garlic bulbs on the north end of Matthew
- Inventory, cleanup and repacking of the entire storage bin
- Detaching and collecting hoses and hose extensions (e.g., rain barrels)
- Planting remaining daffodils around the St Francis statue outside the parish office entrance (Note: ~80 bulbs were planted earlier in the Francis garden)
- Transporting some equipment for storage at Jensens and Sherrys
Here is the clean bed look, so the gardens are officially closed (fairly ready for spring planting) and we look forward to meeting up with you in Spring 2016. Thank you again for your help and God bless you.Regards,Erich Jensen (and Rose Sherry)On Oct 16, 2015, at 10:42 AM, Erich <erichjensen@msn.com> wrote:Hi Everyone,I have lost track on who can come/not come, so please forgive for this reminder to the "not comes."There will be frost tonight, so dress warm for tomorrow. The chores will not be much, but will include, inventory of the the equipment bin and removal of frost bitten plants from Francis bed and front planters. (Rose, please add other activities, as needed). Transport of some equipment to the Jensen house also needs to be done.Thank you for a great productive and well maintained season, and finally, Go Blue, for the big game tomorrow here in Ann Arbor for those of you with the good excuse for not coming.Best regards and blessings,ErichP.S. Many thanks to those who cleaned up beds to ease up tomorrow's chore list!
Fwd: St Francis Garden Cleanup: Saturday, Oct 17 10 am (and Friday Oct 16)
Garden Update
Hi Erich,
We joined Katy and Sharon to clear out Paul and other things.
We did the following:
Emptied both rain barrels. I took the hoses off and put them in the bench and turned the barrels upside down so that they don't fill with rain/snow and freeze.
Removed the netting from Paul, folded and rolled the two sections up, they are now snuggly encased in two brown paper grocery bags in the bench so that they won't snag on everything. There should also be a box of landscape pins and twist ties from Paul. Please check, the box may have been put away opened.
Harvested: tomatillos, peppers, tomatoes, basil, carrots.
We emptied all but the grow box. Katy says that she empties hers and then cleans all the parts and then puts it away. We ran out of time to do that today. We did empty the other pepper pots and put them on the stack of pots in the main garden.
We removed and put into the city compost bin the following: tomatillo plants, tomato plants, pepper plants and marigolds.
The green watering cans that were by the flowery rain barrel were put back in the main garden as well as the tomato cages from Paul. I left the tomatillo cages in Luke.
Also the posts for Paul were left in Paul (no reason to keep taking them out as you mentioned).
We harvested a little over 7 lbs of tomatoes, many are green so I have made copies of a couple of recipes for green tomatoes as well as a tip for how to get them to ripen at home. We will drop this off with the tomatoes tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to let Cheryl, Sandy or someone from the office know they are there incase they want to make more copies.
We also harvested 15 lbs of carrots. Their size ranged from very small to 2-3 times the size of a "baby carrot". I believe that we planted a kind of smaller carrot to begin with.
I have left over brown paper lunch bags from the potato harvest, so I'll be bagging up the carrots tonight to make it easier for the parents to grab and go.
Now that we have the complete harvest Patrick will be tabulating the results soon.
We did not have time to take down the bean structure from Luke and are hoping to get to that next week.
Rose
We joined Katy and Sharon to clear out Paul and other things.
We did the following:
Emptied both rain barrels. I took the hoses off and put them in the bench and turned the barrels upside down so that they don't fill with rain/snow and freeze.
Removed the netting from Paul, folded and rolled the two sections up, they are now snuggly encased in two brown paper grocery bags in the bench so that they won't snag on everything. There should also be a box of landscape pins and twist ties from Paul. Please check, the box may have been put away opened.
Harvested: tomatillos, peppers, tomatoes, basil, carrots.
We emptied all but the grow box. Katy says that she empties hers and then cleans all the parts and then puts it away. We ran out of time to do that today. We did empty the other pepper pots and put them on the stack of pots in the main garden.
We removed and put into the city compost bin the following: tomatillo plants, tomato plants, pepper plants and marigolds.
The green watering cans that were by the flowery rain barrel were put back in the main garden as well as the tomato cages from Paul. I left the tomatillo cages in Luke.
Also the posts for Paul were left in Paul (no reason to keep taking them out as you mentioned).
We harvested a little over 7 lbs of tomatoes, many are green so I have made copies of a couple of recipes for green tomatoes as well as a tip for how to get them to ripen at home. We will drop this off with the tomatoes tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to let Cheryl, Sandy or someone from the office know they are there incase they want to make more copies.
We also harvested 15 lbs of carrots. Their size ranged from very small to 2-3 times the size of a "baby carrot". I believe that we planted a kind of smaller carrot to begin with.
I have left over brown paper lunch bags from the potato harvest, so I'll be bagging up the carrots tonight to make it easier for the parents to grab and go.
Now that we have the complete harvest Patrick will be tabulating the results soon.
We did not have time to take down the bean structure from Luke and are hoping to get to that next week.
Rose
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Potato Dig and Harvest with Foundations Preschool: September 26
On the beautiful, sunny, and comfortable morning of Saturday September 26, 2015, families and staff from the Foundations Preschool joined the St Francis Sustainable Garden team for its annual potato dig. About 6-7 families (~ 20 people) with a friendly and enthusiastic bunch of kids helped harvest potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, onions and more primarily from the main Sustainable Garden beds of Matthew and Paul. The children learned how to pick, weigh and package produce and took containers and bags of vegetables home. Some of the garden volunteers who maintain the beds were present, too, including Erich and Ann Marie Jensen, Rose and Patrick Sherry, Katy Derezinski, Frank Fazekas, and Julie Lavender. A hearty thank you to all who attended this fun social and learning event of partnership. Even Father James joined us briefly to say hello.
Great Harvest Today
Great Harvest Today - The counter at Foundations is nearly full:). We are so blessed to have so much to give.
St Francis Native (plus more) Gardens on the Church Campus
Many thanks to Susan Bass, John Schommer, Ann Marie Jensen, Father Terry, Father James, Erich Jensen, Dave Barera (and staff) who helped with the native Michigan plantings and colorful annuals on the church property and beds. Specifically, the rectory front steps, patio and backyard bed, a parking lot island, and the front steps planters of the main church were improved and beautified this summer of 2015 (see selected Sept 3rd photos below). Another native plants bed is under construction, and an Eagle Scout reconstructed the Parish Office entrance. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a transformation to the church landscape. Regards, Erich Jensen
.
Garden Update
From: Rose Sherry
Hello all,
I wanted to update everyone on the latest from the garden:
HARVEST:
Today's harvest was wonderful. Plenty of tomatillos and cucumbers and small tomatoes. A few large squash and some of the remaining pole beans and kale.
We also harvested some hot peppers and kale. The eggplants will be ready soon as well as many hot peppers that we are waiting to turn color before harvesting.
BUNNY UPDATE:
We believe that the bunny that was in the garden to day showed us how they little critters are gaining access. There is a breach in the fence that is attached to the gate. The "hole" is near the hinge corner. It appears that something or somehow the green coating was "chewed" off and the wires have become disconnected. The little bugger hopped through the hole in the little white plastic edging fence and magically through the green wire fencing. Upon further investigation we found that they fence wires were disconnected. You will see the temporary stop-gap solution we put up. We added extra white plastic fencing so that it can't fit as easily through it. Then we added some poles between the white plastic fencing and the gate so that if they try to get through the wires they cannot as easily climb over the white plastic fencing. I'm hoping this helps, we'll see.
I have thought of a more permanent solution but am trying to discern what materials to use. If we can block the bottom of the gate with a solid barrier I believe that that would help, but the barrier cannot impede the opening of the gate door. That's were I'm at with it for now, I welcome any suggestions.
FALL CLEANUP:
Yes this has been a beautiful summer and fall will soon be upon us. For those who are new to the garden I wanted to let you know how we get the garden ready for the "Post-fall" season (I don't think any of us are ready for the real word). For those who are veterans we are going to try something a little different.
As fall approaches the various crops stop producing and the plants either die or can be removed. What we've done in the past is start removing those plants that can be removed as they are ready for it and then have a single cleanup day for all who can make it to help finish off the beds, put away supplies and get the beds ready for...that "post-fall" season.
What we will do this year is have each group who is assigned to a bed start cleaning up their assigned bed as it is needed. I or Erich will let you know when the bed or crop is ready to be removed. For instance the first pole beans and bush beans are ready to be removed because they have stopped producing. One of us will email you directions as to when and what and how to remove and dispose of the plants. Next month we will have a better idea of when to schedule the "CLEAN- UP " Day.
It's usually on a Saturday morning in October but has been done in November as well. It depends on how the garden is going and the weather.
Also, at the end of each season we like to go over what we thought worked, what didn't and could use improvement get a list of any needs or ideas people have for next year so that we can document these. Please make a list of things you can think of in this regard.
Thanks,
Rose
Hello all,
I wanted to update everyone on the latest from the garden:
HARVEST:
Today's harvest was wonderful. Plenty of tomatillos and cucumbers and small tomatoes. A few large squash and some of the remaining pole beans and kale.
We also harvested some hot peppers and kale. The eggplants will be ready soon as well as many hot peppers that we are waiting to turn color before harvesting.
BUNNY UPDATE:
We believe that the bunny that was in the garden to day showed us how they little critters are gaining access. There is a breach in the fence that is attached to the gate. The "hole" is near the hinge corner. It appears that something or somehow the green coating was "chewed" off and the wires have become disconnected. The little bugger hopped through the hole in the little white plastic edging fence and magically through the green wire fencing. Upon further investigation we found that they fence wires were disconnected. You will see the temporary stop-gap solution we put up. We added extra white plastic fencing so that it can't fit as easily through it. Then we added some poles between the white plastic fencing and the gate so that if they try to get through the wires they cannot as easily climb over the white plastic fencing. I'm hoping this helps, we'll see.
I have thought of a more permanent solution but am trying to discern what materials to use. If we can block the bottom of the gate with a solid barrier I believe that that would help, but the barrier cannot impede the opening of the gate door. That's were I'm at with it for now, I welcome any suggestions.
FALL CLEANUP:
Yes this has been a beautiful summer and fall will soon be upon us. For those who are new to the garden I wanted to let you know how we get the garden ready for the "Post-fall" season (I don't think any of us are ready for the real word). For those who are veterans we are going to try something a little different.
As fall approaches the various crops stop producing and the plants either die or can be removed. What we've done in the past is start removing those plants that can be removed as they are ready for it and then have a single cleanup day for all who can make it to help finish off the beds, put away supplies and get the beds ready for...that "post-fall" season.
What we will do this year is have each group who is assigned to a bed start cleaning up their assigned bed as it is needed. I or Erich will let you know when the bed or crop is ready to be removed. For instance the first pole beans and bush beans are ready to be removed because they have stopped producing. One of us will email you directions as to when and what and how to remove and dispose of the plants. Next month we will have a better idea of when to schedule the "CLEAN- UP " Day.
It's usually on a Saturday morning in October but has been done in November as well. It depends on how the garden is going and the weather.
Also, at the end of each season we like to go over what we thought worked, what didn't and could use improvement get a list of any needs or ideas people have for next year so that we can document these. Please make a list of things you can think of in this regard.
Thanks,
Rose
St Francis Sustainable Garden Update: 03 August 2015
Harvest Update:
On Friday we watered the onion/carrot half of Paul and harvested the following:
Cucumbers (a couple of pounds)
Zucchini and yellow squash
Bush and pole beans
Kale (the new winner for this year!!!)
Tomatoes
Onions ( yellow and red) about a pound.
Basil
Jalepeno peppers
Habanero peppers and the other chili type peppers
one Sweet bell pepper.
Erich, Ann Marie and Susan: please check for tomatillos they seem to be coming. I found one on the ground and it looked eaten.
Patrick planted some more cilantro seeds. We hope to have a new crop by the time the gardens are finished.
The original pole beans look like they are at their end. Erich I'd like you to look at them Monday and let me know if you also think that they may be ready to cut down. The new crop seems to be doing well.
The bunnies were back in the main garden and look like they've been eating the bush bean plants. Fortunately the beans have had a chance to produce quite a bit.
The peppers are growing quite well and should produce more than we've ever had. Thank you Katy for the grow pot idea and obtaining it for us.
Thank you all for your time and effort. It has been wonderful once again to see what God has done with all our work.
Rose Sherry
On Friday we watered the onion/carrot half of Paul and harvested the following:
Cucumbers (a couple of pounds)
Zucchini and yellow squash
Bush and pole beans
Kale (the new winner for this year!!!)
Tomatoes
Onions ( yellow and red) about a pound.
Basil
Jalepeno peppers
Habanero peppers and the other chili type peppers
one Sweet bell pepper.
Erich, Ann Marie and Susan: please check for tomatillos they seem to be coming. I found one on the ground and it looked eaten.
Patrick planted some more cilantro seeds. We hope to have a new crop by the time the gardens are finished.
The original pole beans look like they are at their end. Erich I'd like you to look at them Monday and let me know if you also think that they may be ready to cut down. The new crop seems to be doing well.
The bunnies were back in the main garden and look like they've been eating the bush bean plants. Fortunately the beans have had a chance to produce quite a bit.
The peppers are growing quite well and should produce more than we've ever had. Thank you Katy for the grow pot idea and obtaining it for us.
Thank you all for your time and effort. It has been wonderful once again to see what God has done with all our work.
Rose Sherry
Fwd: St Francis Sustainable Garden: Bunny/Rabbit Alert
Dear All,
Several of us have noted a bunny in the main sustainable garden this past week, in particular, it was in the garden this morning (Sunday) and last night (Saturday) at 7 pm hovering around the gate with 2 larger rabbits on the rectory backyard lawn. After perusing the entire perimeter and noting no new holes/gaps, we further added (to Rose's effort) a second short fence on the inside of the gate. The short plastic white fence pieces do not interfere with opening and closing of the gate. One does need to step over, as you enter.
Matthew-Mark and Luke=John teams should look carefully this week for the bunny and chase it out, if possible. Usually takes two people, as Ann Marie and I discovered this morning, otherwise it hops between beds.
Please also check for any burrows at the base of the plants and/or any chewed plants, and let us know.
Happy Summer Sunday,
Erich
734.771.8511
P.S. Other updates: Beth and Julie L have nearly completed the mulching of the perimeter and the Mary Garden awaits the addition of the top soil amendment from the many bags stacked near it. The front church planters are also nicely blooming at the moment with cleome, zinnia, blue salvia, geraniums, coneflowers and brown-eyed susan.
Several of us have noted a bunny in the main sustainable garden this past week, in particular, it was in the garden this morning (Sunday) and last night (Saturday) at 7 pm hovering around the gate with 2 larger rabbits on the rectory backyard lawn. After perusing the entire perimeter and noting no new holes/gaps, we further added (to Rose's effort) a second short fence on the inside of the gate. The short plastic white fence pieces do not interfere with opening and closing of the gate. One does need to step over, as you enter.
Matthew-Mark and Luke=John teams should look carefully this week for the bunny and chase it out, if possible. Usually takes two people, as Ann Marie and I discovered this morning, otherwise it hops between beds.
Please also check for any burrows at the base of the plants and/or any chewed plants, and let us know.
Happy Summer Sunday,
Erich
734.771.8511
P.S. Other updates: Beth and Julie L have nearly completed the mulching of the perimeter and the Mary Garden awaits the addition of the top soil amendment from the many bags stacked near it. The front church planters are also nicely blooming at the moment with cleome, zinnia, blue salvia, geraniums, coneflowers and brown-eyed susan.
Fwd: St Francis Sustainable Garden Update: 03 August 2015
Dear All,
We have accomplished so much together!
Today (another beautiful sunny morning), we (Erich, Ann Marie and Susan):
- Harvested bush and pole beans and yellow squash/zucchini; Both types of vegetables are coming in strong this week.
- Mulched remaining brambles in Peter Added note: Perimeter of main garden 7/8 mulched thanks to Julie and Beth
- Deadheaded all spent flowers in Francis
- Trimmed and weeded the native plant (east) end of Paul completely and finally
- Weeded Mary again. Added note: 40 more bags of top soil have been delivered and are stacked and awaiting distribution into the bed.
If you have time, check out the interesting native plant in Mary that is ready to bloom. It is called "Prairie Dock" and has very large leaves, tall center stalks about 7-8 feet tall, with smallish yellow daisy like flowers at the ends of the stalk. It look s like a plant from another climate, but IT IS a Michigan native plant.
The rain barrels are nearly full again from last night's well timed and generous midnight rain.
I hope all of you are doing well, and hope we cross paths soon. We may need to schedule a garden party.
Regards,
Erich Jensen
Gardens and Grounds survey form
Dear Gardeners already involved in helping to take care of our grounds and flower gardens. We would like your input and continued involvement in this work of God's creation for our parish. Please let us know of your continued interest by answering the questions on this survey form. Thank you for your contributions to our parish.
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Foundations Preschool Visit 25 July 2015
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Foundations Preschool Visit 25 July 2015
As part of the St Francis of Assisi hospitality initiative, the Sustainable Garden Ministry welcomed five families from the Foundations Preschool, our partner and recipient of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. Under Rose Sherry and Erich Jensen, co-coordinators of the gardens, leadership, they were joined by volunteers, Ann Marie Jensen, Sharon Sheldon and her husband, Jim, Frank Fazekas, Katy Derezinski, and Julie Lavender on a tour and harvest of the vegetable gardens. Beans, cukes, tomatoes, cilantro, oregano, and an onion were picked wiith, weighed, and presented to our Foundations Preschool visitors today.
Thank you for all who attended on this beautiful, sunny and warm summer day of gardening (see linked photos).
Kind regards,
Erich Jensen
https://plus.google.com/photos/103301279807915546920/albums/6176256453818123233
Dear All,
As part of the St Francis of Assisi hospitality initiative, the Sustainable Garden Ministry welcomed five families from the Foundations Preschool, our partner and recipient of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. Under Rose Sherry and Erich Jensen, co-coordinators of the gardens, leadership, they were joined by volunteers, Ann Marie Jensen, Sharon Sheldon and her husband, Jim, Frank Fazekas, Katy Derezinski, and Julie Lavender on a tour and harvest of the vegetable gardens. Beans, cukes, tomatoes, cilantro, oregano, and an onion were picked wiith, weighed, and presented to our Foundations Preschool visitors today.
Thank you for all who attended on this beautiful, sunny and warm summer day of gardening (see linked photos).
Kind regards,
Erich Jensen
https://plus.google.com/photos/103301279807915546920/albums/6176256453818123233
Watering from Drenched to Dry Days
Dear All,
We are now in a dry spell and the need for extra water this week is heightened.
Here are the instructions from earlier this season:
GENERAL WATERING INFORMATION (additions in blue)
Thank you very much,
Erich Jensen
734.771.8511
Subject: St Francis Sustainable Garden: Watering and Weeding Schedule 2015
Date: Thu, 28 May 2015 14:47:07 -0400
We are now in a dry spell and the need for extra water this week is heightened.
Here are the instructions from earlier this season:
GENERAL WATERING INFORMATION (additions in blue)
- Water Weekly, Gently, and Deeply
- Water 1-2 inches deep (check by poking finger in ground in several bed locations, as the composted soil is brittle and water is penetrates poorly)
- Water gently with watering cans at base of plants, if possible
- Do NOT water if heavy rainstorm occurs day before, after, or day of the scheduled day
- Try to use water contents of rain barrels first (1) at SW corner of rectory (2) at south wall of parish office. Rain barrels are empty due to use/misuse this week.
- Use 3 watering cans located in the gospels garden or 2 bright green watering cans near the parish office rain barrel
- If rain barrels are empty/too low, use hoses at (1) back patio of rectory (2) SE corner/front of rectory (3) at south wall of parish behind yews/evergreens (need key) (Note: Use watering cans instead of direct spray from hoses)
- Volunteers for Peter/Francis garden, Matthew/Mark garden, Luke/John garden, and perimeter garden should water the pots and earthbox with pepper and eggplant plants within the north end of the main garden; They dry out almost daily in 85+ degree heat.
- Lastly, if you notice drooping plants in other volunteers beds (or on the rectory patio [i.e., Father James pots], please water with the only exception being the potato plants in the Matthew bed.
- Find key in clear plastic berry container in garden storage bin
- Combination for lock on storage bin is 2-32-22
Thank you very much,
Erich Jensen
734.771.8511
Subject: St Francis Sustainable Garden: Watering and Weeding Schedule 2015
Date: Thu, 28 May 2015 14:47:07 -0400
Dear All,
The watering, weeding and more schedule will start on Monday, June 1.
Please read this long informational message carefully, and feel free to contact Erich or Rose at any time with questions, comments and/or corrections.
ASSIGNMENTS
Mondays (Francis and Peter Garden Beds)
Tuesdays (Matthew and Mark Garden Beds)
Wednesdays (Luke and John Garden Beds)
Thursdays (Paul Garden Bed: East Half) (note: other half of bed is shared with Fridays)
Fridays (Paul Garden Bed: West Half) (note: other half of bed is shared with Thursdays)
Saturdays (Perimeter Garden Beds outside picket fence of Main Garden (i.e., 4 Gospels)
Added Note(s):
THOUGHTS ABOUT VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIPS
GENERAL WATERING/WEEDING AND MORE INFORMATION
Please print email and take with you to garden the first couple times. We will try to post on inside lid of storage bin and website soon, too.
Thank you very much for your participation,
Erich Jensen and Rose Sherry
Garden Coordinators
The watering, weeding and more schedule will start on Monday, June 1.
Please read this long informational message carefully, and feel free to contact Erich or Rose at any time with questions, comments and/or corrections.
ASSIGNMENTS
Mondays (Francis and Peter Garden Beds)
- Susan Bass 734.995.9508 (home)
- Erich Jensen 734.771.8511 (cell)
- Ann Marie Jensen 734.771.1411 (cell)
Tuesdays (Matthew and Mark Garden Beds)
- Teresa Casey 734.904.3905 (cell)
- Julie White 734.260.8606 (cell)
Wednesdays (Luke and John Garden Beds)
- Frank and Julie Fazekas 734.994.3266 (home)
- Kathy Homiak 734.904.5719 (cell)
Thursdays (Paul Garden Bed: East Half) (note: other half of bed is shared with Fridays)
- Katy Derezinski 734.995.2686 (home)
- Sharon Sheldon 248.342.3154 (cell)
Fridays (Paul Garden Bed: West Half) (note: other half of bed is shared with Thursdays)
- Rose, Patrick and John Sherry 734.657.0197 (Rose cell)
Saturdays (Perimeter Garden Beds outside picket fence of Main Garden (i.e., 4 Gospels)
- Julie Lavender 313.806.7252 (cell)
- Beth Toplyn 734.434.3024 (home)
Added Note(s):
- No assignments for Sundays
- New/Proposed Mary Garden Bed (just south of Paul Garden near cedars and street) has been cleared, but welcomes volunteers to weed it at any time as it awaits planting.
THOUGHTS ABOUT VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIPS
- Partners decide how, when and what activities are shared on EACH day and PLEASE COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH EACH OTHER (email addresses and phone numbers are on or in this message)
- Examples: (1) Meet at garden at same time OR (2) Go at different times and one waters/other weeds on same day OR (3) Alternate each week to water and weed
- Partners are backup for each other, too, if sickness, vacation, business trip, etc
- If either volunteer partner(s) cannot do their day, please email the entire group for replacement.
- As summer progresses, we can rotate garden bed assignments, if interest and/or boredom is expressed. Let us know.
GENERAL WATERING/WEEDING AND MORE INFORMATION
- Water Weekly, Gently, and Deeply
- Water 1-2 inches deep (check by poking finger in ground in several bed locations)
- Water gently with watering cans at base of plants, if possible
- Do NOT water if heavy rainstorm occurs day before or day of the scheduled day
- Try to Use water contents of rain barrels first (1) at SW corner of rectory (2) at south wall of parish office
- Use 3 watering cans located in the gospels garden
- If rain barrels are empty/too low, use hoses at (1) back patio of rectory (2) SE corner/front of rectory (3) at south wall of parish behind yews/evergreens (need key) (Note: Use watering cans instead of direct spray from hoses)
- Find key in clear plastic berry container in garden storage bin
- Combination for lock on storage bin is 2-32-22
- Soakers hoses may be located/placed in Paul Garden only; must hook up with hose along parish office wall. Note: It takes a long time to water deeply and completely with soaker hoses.
- Try to weed after watering, as weeds are easier to pull
- Trowels (2) and weed tool (1) (and gloves) for weeding are located in garden storage bin
- When weeding, deadhead plants/remove yellow leaves/observe for disease/pests/wildlife (e.g., rabbit nest) activity, too. Throw debris in city compost bin.
- Other activities such as mulching with straw, clearing dead/spent (i.e., no more production) plants will be announced, as needed by Erich or Rose (again, call or text us while in the garden, and we will try to get back promptly, but cannot promise immediate response)
Please print email and take with you to garden the first couple times. We will try to post on inside lid of storage bin and website soon, too.
Thank you very much for your participation,
Erich Jensen and Rose Sherry
Garden Coordinators
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Insect Alert
Hello Everyone,
We need your help (all volunteers) with the onslaught of flying Japanese beetles (often in pairs) on the raspberry bushes/brambles. These little creatures are munching holes(and mating) in the leaves.
Please flick/catch/drop these little critters into the soap water containers that are now located on the ground in front of the raspberry brambles in the Peter Garden. They don't bite, but they are a bit fast. If everyone checks on their assigned day and puts as many of them in the soapy water as possible we may break the cycle of them informing others beetles in the area. There is also a second clear lidless container with soapy water (drying us) and bodies that can be replenished from the white lidded one and placed directly under leaves for you to flick them into it.
I know an odd, maybe uncomfortable request. Ann Marie and I delivered a couple dozen to a watery grave today.
On a positive note lots of flying beneficial insects are pollinating native plants in the gardens. They are generally harmless except the bumble bees that need to be directly provoked to be problematic. Please enjoy their activity which is good for the new vegetable blossoms, too.
Thank you for helping with pest control,
Erich
734.771.8511
We need your help (all volunteers) with the onslaught of flying Japanese beetles (often in pairs) on the raspberry bushes/brambles. These little creatures are munching holes(and mating) in the leaves.
Please flick/catch/drop these little critters into the soap water containers that are now located on the ground in front of the raspberry brambles in the Peter Garden. They don't bite, but they are a bit fast. If everyone checks on their assigned day and puts as many of them in the soapy water as possible we may break the cycle of them informing others beetles in the area. There is also a second clear lidless container with soapy water (drying us) and bodies that can be replenished from the white lidded one and placed directly under leaves for you to flick them into it.
I know an odd, maybe uncomfortable request. Ann Marie and I delivered a couple dozen to a watery grave today.
On a positive note lots of flying beneficial insects are pollinating native plants in the gardens. They are generally harmless except the bumble bees that need to be directly provoked to be problematic. Please enjoy their activity which is good for the new vegetable blossoms, too.
Thank you for helping with pest control,
Erich
734.771.8511
St Francis Sustainable Garden today: Peter and Francis Gardens
We harvested raspberries, squash, and the first pole beans. We spread mulch under the rhubarb after watering and removal of yellow/brown leaves. We deadheaded geraniums, coreopsis, daisies, verbena and lilies. Selected red and black raspberries canes were trimmed. Using rain barrel water, we watered daisies, verbena, geraniums and the pepper and eggplant pots in the main garden. Weeding was done sporadically, not thoroughly throughout Peter and Francis.
Lastly we set out 2 containers of soapy water (a white one covered to keep from evaporating) under the red raspberries and flicked/drowned numerous Japanese beetles off the leaves. I have to get a note out to other volunteers to do this activity this week. The process of capturing them is to keep the beetles from flying to others and alerting/notifying/bringing them back to the plants.
Best,
Erich
Lastly we set out 2 containers of soapy water (a white one covered to keep from evaporating) under the red raspberries and flicked/drowned numerous Japanese beetles off the leaves. I have to get a note out to other volunteers to do this activity this week. The process of capturing them is to keep the beetles from flying to others and alerting/notifying/bringing them back to the plants.
Best,
Erich
Fwd: Thursday Harvest
HARVEST:
A couple of ounces of both red and black raspberries.
A couple of zucchini and yellow squash I left some smaller ones that may be ready for harvest on Monday.
Start checking the tomatillos, I harvested a couple that were ready.
I also harvested three cucumbers and left one that will be bigger on Monday. There are more coming and you have to look below the plants as well.
The bush beans are really growing!!!
I looks like something cut/bit leaves off the pole beans. This is near where the peas once were. I don't know if they were trimmed by human or if something got into the garden and nibbled them off?
Hopefully the hot weather this coming weekend and maybe into next week will help the tomatoes ripen. It was too cool last year for them.
Have a great weekend.
Rose
St Francis Sustainable Garden Update 13 Jul 2015
Hello,
Summer is going by fast, and thanks to all of you the sustainable gardens are looking terrific and are well cared for. Produce production has expanded and going very well.
Today Ann Marie and I harvested another pint of black raspberries and 1/2 pint of red raspberries which will be delivered today with the garlic cloves that have been curing at our house.
The Marie garden bed has:
Regards,
Erich Jensen
734.771.8511
Summer is going by fast, and thanks to all of you the sustainable gardens are looking terrific and are well cared for. Produce production has expanded and going very well.
Today Ann Marie and I harvested another pint of black raspberries and 1/2 pint of red raspberries which will be delivered today with the garlic cloves that have been curing at our house.
The Marie garden bed has:
- Totally cleared
- Prairie Dock, Tall Coreopsis, Tall Black Eyed Susan and Spiderwort have been rescued/kept in the bed on the east end.
- 30 bags of top soil were poured onto the west end of the bed and 40 more bags have been ordered
- Canadian Anemone (n = 3) has been temporarily planted on the west end of the bed
- Plants will be relocated as a design plan with existing plants is developed.
- Additionally as plants are moved (depending on continuance of this wet cooler weather) within the bed and from Paul; they may be split and potted for future fund raising spring sales of native plants OR used on other parts of the church property.
- We are also considering signage for the bed as well as the individual plants for identification and education purposes.
- Note: If interested, please continue to weed this bed and help is welcome when the next bags of top soil arrive and need to be dispersed, raked, and/or shoveled into the existing soil
Regards,
Erich Jensen
734.771.8511
St Francis Sustainable Garden Update Part 1 or 2 Today
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2015 14:39 PM Subject: Garden Update
Hello All.
We hope that y'all had a wonderful weekend.
Patrick and Rose stopped by the garden this morning and did the following things:
Patrick and Rose stopped by the garden this morning and did the following things:
1) cut out the pea plants on the end of Luke that had been eaten off and were not going to produce much and then planted pole beans in their place. Hopefully these will have enough time to come up and give us some beans before it gets too cold in the fall.
2) Firmed up the string supports for the cucumbers and tied the plants to the strings to train them to grow up.
3) Patrick also pruned the lower blossoms and stems. This is order to force the fruit growth on the top of the plant rather than along the bottom on the ground.
We are hoping that the rain predicted for tomorrow will be sufficient for this week's watering.
Rose & Patrick
Date: Mon, Jul 6, 2015 at 3:10 PM Subject: Garden Update St Francis Sustainable Garden Update Part 1 or 2 Today
1. Garlic was harvested and will be cured for 2 weeks before delivery.
2. Remaining (?) peas and black raspberries harvested and delivered.
3. Garden looks healthy and VERY neat/cleaned up.
4. Tue, Wed and Sat teams, please check pots on inner perimeter for dryness and need watering. They were watered today. Also note the rectory rain barrel hose was changed for easy fill up watering cans. Longer hose does not seem to work well.
5. Thurs and Friday teams, please use the overflowing rain barrel near parish office.
6. More than half of Mary has been cleaned and top soil has been delivered to begin raising soil level in bed this week.
Regards,
Erich and Ann Marie Jensen and Susan Bass
Dear All,
1. Garlic was harvested and will be cured for 2 weeks before delivery.
2. Remaining (?) peas and black raspberries harvested and delivered.
3. Garden looks healthy and VERY neat/cleaned up.
4. Tue, Wed and Sat teams, please check pots on inner perimeter for dryness and need watering. They were watered today. Also note the rectory rain barrel hose was changed for easy fill up watering cans. Longer hose does not seem to work well.
5. Thurs and Friday teams, please use the overflowing rain barrel near parish office.
6. More than half of Mary has been cleaned and top soil has been delivered to begin raising soil level in bed this week.
Regards,
Erich and Ann Marie Jensen and Susan Bass
Garden Donors Thank You Notes
We Thank Our Donors:
Turner's Landscaping, Ann Arbor (734) 662-8058
and
Downtown Home & Garden, Ann Arbor (734) 662-8122
And, we especially thank:
-------------------------------------------------------
Garden report for Friday
Hi Everyone
Yesterday (Thursday), we planted bush beans in Matthew where the asparagus used to be.
Also, we put some straw in Mark around the squash, but maybe more should be added so that the layer is thicker.
The carrots, onions and beets in Paul were weeded and the beets were thinned out.
We also put twine up to support the cucumber plants as they grow.
Also, we put some straw in Mark around the squash, but maybe more should be added so that the layer is thicker.
The carrots, onions and beets in Paul were weeded and the beets were thinned out.
We also put twine up to support the cucumber plants as they grow.
Today we harvested 14 oz of kale and 7 oz of peas.
Luke should be weeded more thoroughly among the peas. (currently, under that half of the bean structure, weed anything that doesn't look like a pea plant.)
Thursday Patrick removed three rogue potato plants that were growing in the peas, sneaky, sneaky.
Patrick & Rose
Harvest information
Harvest information from Sherry family:
Hi Erich,
We saw that the peas looked like they were ready to harvest. These look like the flatter peas and won't bulk out like some sugar snap peas. We picked the larger ones. Let me know if you think differently.
There were also two cherry tomatoes (one was split) we harvested those and I let John have them because delivering two seemed lame.
The kale is looking great!! we started harvesting it this Friday. (I cut them using garden scissors rather than breaking them off) According to Patrick we don't want the leaves too big or they may start turning bitter. I just cut the bigger "first leaves" like I do with the spinach.
In order to keep the kale from wilting at Foundations I dropped off a used coffee can (Folgers plastic) with St. Francis Sustainable Garden written on it. There is another in the bench.
Here's what we did: I split the kale into bunches there were about 7-8 oz. I basically visually split the harvest and then weight each bunch to assure evenness. I then used some twist ties (we could string or rubber bands as well) to secure the bunches.
I then delivered then in the Folger's container see picture below: When at Foundations I filled the container with water (they showed me where I could fill it with water there.
While there, I met Cheryl and the gal (Mary?) who comes to the Christmas Party and let them know that we would leave the kale in these containers in water and that the kale was in bunches so that folks could take them that way. Then the containers are to remain at Foundations for this purpose. They said that they could/wound be stored in the cabinet below where we leave the produce. I also left a couple of recipes for kale and (Mary?) said that someone there has a great kale salad recipe. If this works we may be able to plant more kale in the future. They both mentioned how they have heard how healthy it is. They thanked us for what we all do.
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Register for Upcoming Events
Dear All,
Many thanks to John Schommer, Barbara Campbell, Teresa Casey, Erich and Ann Marie Jensen (see photo) for clearing out the short lived day lilies and flopsy Shasta daisies around 3/4 of the perimeter of the main sustainable garden on Tuesday night (see photo). These beds await top soil replenishment next and then subsequent planting of natives. Top soil and mulch was delivered today, Monday May 4 by the custodial staff at St Francis.
Many thanks to John Schommer, Barbara Campbell, Teresa Casey, Erich and Ann Marie Jensen (see photo) for clearing out the short lived day lilies and flopsy Shasta daisies around 3/4 of the perimeter of the main sustainable garden on Tuesday night (see photo). These beds await top soil replenishment next and then subsequent planting of natives. Top soil and mulch was delivered today, Monday May 4 by the custodial staff at St Francis.
Another thank you to John Schommer who removed the remaining lilies on the perimeter tonight, May 4, and weeded part of unnamed (What do you think about "Mary"?)bed (for native plants), too.
Big thanks to Tracy Nagy for picking up compost on Saturday, May 2 and the Sherry Family for placing it in the Paul bed. It was a beautiful day to further prepare this garden bed (for tomatoes and more). .
PLEASE HELP:
Big thanks to Tracy Nagy for picking up compost on Saturday, May 2 and the Sherry Family for placing it in the Paul bed. It was a beautiful day to further prepare this garden bed (for tomatoes and more). .
PLEASE HELP:
We still need volunteers for the seed/plant sale on May 10, in particular, for the 11:30-12:30 time slot (immediately following the 10:30 Mass). Erich or Rose will be there for your support and provide information to you on "how to's".
Please sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4baeaf29ab9-garden1
P.S. Turner's is donating several flats of plants again for this sale.
Thank you,
Erich Jensen
St Francis Sustainable Garden: Register for Upcoming Events
Many thanks to Julie Lavender, Frank Fazekas, Rose, Patrick and John Sherry, Erich and Ann Marie Jensen, Katy Derezinski, Susan Bass, and Janice Lacombe for Spring Cleanup on Saturday Apr 25 (see photo here).
Future events:
- May 10 (Seed and Plant Sale): 1 hour slots for Setup, Sale Table, and Tear Down opportunities
- May 16 (Planting): 1-3 hours to Plant Vegetables
- Starting week of June 6 through mid Sep (Garden Maintenance): 1 hour per week to Water/Weed/Mulch/Other
- Other events will be posted, as needed.
To register/volunteer for these events (and several of you already have), please click on Sign-Up Genius link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4baeaf29ab9-garden1
or contact me or Rose by email or phone (see below).
Check out our webpage and blog (at bottom of page), too:
Check out our webpage and blog (at bottom of page), too:
Seed and Plant Sale May 10
St Francis Sustainable Garden Ministry: May 10 Seed and Plant Sale
This ministry (1) grows and harvest vegetables and (2) plants and maintains Michigan natives
Do You Like or Want To Garden?
Please consider purchase of seeds and plants for your vegetable and/or native plant gardens or Mother's Day gifts before, during and after the 8:30 and 10:30 masses in front of the PAC.
To volunteer for the sale and other garden activities, sign-up at stfrancisa2.com/sign-up-forms or
contact Rose Sherry 734.657.0197 or Erich Jensen 734.771.8511 for details.
Sustainable Garden Saturday, April 25 meet and greet
Do You Like or Want To Garden?
St Francis Sustainable Garden Ministry seeks additional volunteers this season.
Please join us at 10 am on Saturday, April 25 for meet and greet and spring garden clean up at the garden just on the northside of the rectory (please bring a shovel and/or trowel). Additional volunteers will help to:
(1) Grow and Harvest Vegetables
(2) Plant and Maintain Michigan Natives
(3) Setup and Sales for the annual seedling/plant sale on May 10
before, during and after the 8:30 and 10:30 masses only.
The sale is positioned in front of the PAC.
(3) Setup and Sales for the annual seedling/plant sale on May 10
before, during and after the 8:30 and 10:30 masses only.
The sale is positioned in front of the PAC.
Contact Rose Sherry 734.657.0197 or Erich Jensen 734.771.8511 for details.
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