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)

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)

  • 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):
  • 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
 
 
 

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