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)

Picture is worth a Thousand Words: Garden Harvest: August 5:

This picture highlights the result of your hard work!
Many thanks,  Erich and Rose

                       

0 comments

Garden updates

Garden updates - August 5

Hello, The garden harvest seems to be in full swing.  Today, the following was harvested and delivered to Perry Nursery School:
  • 6 containers of tomatoes (roma and cherry)
  • 2 cukes
  • Yellow Squash
  • 4 onions
  • 4 containers of pole beans
  • Dill, Thyme, and Chives
 
Everything was well watered today.  Yellow and brown leaves and other debris were removed.  Dill plants and one tomato plant restaked.   Note:  The tomato plants are heavy with fruit, and the added weight is causing the cages to tilt, so take care.
 
All potato plants have been mounded with additional top soil.  (Thank you Erich and Joan).
 
Also:  HAS ANYONE SEEN THE SECOND PAIR OF PRUNING SHEARS?  HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
 
The beds are weed free....thank you to the many hands for removing these plants!
 
Regards,
Erich


Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 

Hello, Patrick has written a very nice summary.
 
Ann Marie and I met Rose this morning, and assisted (a little) with the pole bean supports.
 
Other activities included substantial cleanup including:
  • Deadheading daisies and comfrey, and some, but not all of the day lilies on the perimeter
  • Completing the peas harvest and removing most of the dried peas vines
  • Removing dead rhubarb leaves
  • Harvesting, packaging and delivering cherry tomatoes, onions, yellow squash, zucchini, lemon thyme, oregano, and dill for Perry Nursery school
  • Transporting city compost bin for Tuesday a.m. pickup
  • Watering compost bins and most of main garden with rainwater only
  • Noting good healthy fruit on cucumber vines and tomato plants
 
Because of Vacation Bible School, watering and weeding was not done for the potato and native plant garden.
 
Thank you to everyone for your continued hard work, in particular, the weeds are always at a minimum.
 
In Christ,
Erich Jensen
 
P.S.  The cedar tree stumps have been ground up and/or removed.  The black and red raspberry bushes are thriving, and we should have a very nice bramble patch (and harvest of berries) next year.
 
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 
Hi everyone, this is Patrick!

On Friday, we harvested over a pound of peas. That finishes the pea season. In order to keep nitrogen in the soil, which is one reason to plant peas, the peas must be removed by clipping the stem at the bottom, instead of pulling the root up. The root eventually decays and makes the soil nitrogen-rich. I saw 1 cherry tomato red-orange and almost ripe and a few not far behind. If you see pear tomatoes, they never get red, they are ripe when they are yellow. The cucumbers are supposed to get 8" - 10" long, which we harvested 7 on Friday already, including one from Matthew. We harvested a few peppers, including a bright red chill red one. 

Mom spotted two baby bunnies in the garden. The first was found near Luke and the other jumped out of the nest she found among the tomato plants. We also temporarily fixed the pole bean supports. They were starting to tip over and come apart. 

I also looked back at the notes on Monday and noticed that pole beans were harvested. I was wondering if you harvested pole beans or if you harvested beans from Paul. The ones that are ripe in Paul right now are the ones near the short white fence. The ones that are near the white fence I am saving for seed. We also found a yellow squash in John too. There should be a couple more yellow and a zucchini ready to pick by Monday.

Mom is planning to stop by the Garden Monday morning after dropping us off for VBS. She's planning on working on strengthening the pole bean supports and help with the peas. 

Thank you,  Patrick
0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)