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)

St Francis Garden Ministry: Peace Garden Cleanup Saturday Apr 8 9am - Noon

Dear All,

Many, many thanks to Dorothy Greca, Karen Cole, Ann Marie and Erich Jensen, Amy Kilbourne and Edd Post for their energetic help and hard work on cleaning up the Peace Garden including, but not limited to:

  • Cutting down the tall grasses
  • Raking leaves
  • Spreading 10 bags of new mulch (around the Carillon/Bell Tower)
  • Leveling mounds of old mulch (around Hosta Garden)
  • Trimming a row of yews along the Parish Office
  • Bagging (and readying) all debris for compost pickup (16 lawn bags, 1 x 55 gallon city bin, and 6 branch bundles)

The morning was fortunately cool and bright and comfortable for this gardening effort unlike the original date of Thursday which was rainy and cold with a bit of snow.

See photos below:


Edd Post mowing down the grasses!


Peace Garden in cleaned up state (facing east)


(left to right: Erich Jensen, Edd Post, Amy Kilbourne, Karen Cole, Dorothy Greca, not pictured photographer Ann Marie Jensen)


Peace Garden with Mary Statue and Climbing Rose trellis)


Peace Garden facing west



The debris for Tuesday city compost pickup



0 comments

St Francis Sustainable Garden Harvests: 2015 and 2016

Many thanks to our volunteer gardeners over the last 2 years!

Despite a very dry summer 2016 and the bunnies consistently eating the pole bean seedlings, we had a decent production year and good variety.  Deliveries to Foundations Preschool were supplemented by harvests from Cobblestone Farms gardens, too which are not included in the following results and comparisons from 2015 and 2016.

Erich



0 comments

Fwd: St Francis Sustainable Garden: Potato Dig Harvest


P.S.  We harvested about 30 lbs of potatoes in total.

0 comments

Fwd: St Francis Sustainable Garden: Potato Dig Harvest

Dear All,

Thank you for maintaining the St Francis gardens so well this summer.  Rose, Erich and Ann Marie harvested red and white potatoes on Friday and delivered 2 pound bags to Foundations Preschool on Friday with all the remaining beets (better harvest this year) and 3 eggplants (best harvest ever).

We will harvest remaining swiss chard, cucumbers and kale on Monday, and look forward to putting the beds to rest with your help this Saturday, Oct 15 at 10:00am.

Here are photos from yesterday.

Kind regards,
Erich Jensen with Rose Sherry
Garden Coordinators


0 comments

St Francis Gardens: Oct 15 Clean Up Date

Dear All,

Thank you for your help this year.  Many areas have been cleared and spruced up, as we prepare for new plantings next year.  Not sure how much needs fall cleanup, but I have scheduled a date, Saturday Oct 15 from 10 - 11:30 am . I hope you can join us (the Sustainable Garden crew will also be around, so perhaps we can make some introductions).


I bought 100 daffodil bulbs, in particular, for the Mary Garden and some small areas at the front of the church.

Regards,
Erich Jensen

P.S.  If you cannot make it, no problem.  Hopefully we will see you in the Spring, and please recruit family, friends and fellow parishioners.

P.P.S.  Check out this video on a local neighbor and planting native plants.  Please consider native plants for your own gardens when replacing a dead plant, clearing a new bed, too.



0 comments

Sustainable Garden: Today's Harvest

We picked beets, kale and cherry tomatoes. 


0 comments

Sustainable Garden Dates: Potato Dig and Garden Cleanup

Hi Everyone,

Because of extensive rain this week and garden harvest winding down, the following new dates are proposed:

  • POTATO DIG Friday Oct 7, either 10 - 11 am OR 4 - 5 pm (PLEASE INDICATE IF ONE OR ANOTHER OR BOTH OR NEITHER WORKS)
  • FALL CLEAN UP (includes plant removal, pole bean and rain barrel dismantle, etc) Saturday Oct 15 10 am 

Please RSVP to me and/or Rose or use Sign Up Genius:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4baeaf29ab9-garden1 

Please consider inviting a friend, too.

Thank you,
Erich Jensen

0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)