Sustainable  Garden Project VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP Click HERE!   Visit our new Garden BLOG. Click HERE! SEED SALE!!!    Sunday, MAY 22, 2010 after 8:45, 10:30& 12:15  St. Francis Sustainable Garden Seed Sale will be Sunday, May 22nd after 8:45, 10:30 & 12:15 Sunday Masses at a table in front of the PAC. What will be on sale? We will have seeds that have been harvested from our gardens as well as seeds we have acquired from other organic sources. What is the St. Francis Sustainable Garden?  It is a garden plot outside the St. Francis rectory where we grow and harvest herbs, vegetables and flowers which we donate to the pantry at Perry Nursery School - child care center in the Ann Arbor for single-parent low-income families in the area.    Money from this sale goes to maintenance of our garden. Questions - contact: Tracy Nagy  (734 971-2464). Or Sign-up HERE! ---- All the seeds at the seed sale were harvested from our sustainable garden where we grow our vegetables organically using no pesticides or weed killers- just our own hands.  Stop by and chat with us about the seeds & their culture.  And, don't forget to check out the garden - located off the side of the rectory.  We have also helped Perry Nursery School, start its own garden so that the children can learn about sustainable gardening and the food chain - from garden to table.      "Calling all Gardeners" This Sustainable Garden Project is a way that our parish supports the hungry at Perry Nursery School, which benefits the struggling single parent families of our area.  In the past we have delivered over 180 lbs. of produce- to the Perry Nursery School Pantry.  Usually, little or no fresh produce makes its way to their pantry because like most food banks it cannot handle perishables. If you would like something to do with your kids, or just an opportunity to care for creation - this is a wonderful way to give.  VOLUNTEER Sign-up Here This photo (above here) is from 2010 when we put up the new fence. This (above here) is an image of our 2009 Garden Plan. Canticle News Sept 2010: This year 2010 has been a really special one for us as we have been working with an Eagle Scout - Brian Fulper - who for his Eagle Project put in a permanent fence, and brand new and larger beds.  (see the picture of our new garden space).  It has been a real blessing to us to work with Brian and create a special place that looks neat and produces lots of wonderful vegetables. This year, in addition to getting new beds and a new fence, we are working with Brian to add a storage bench so visitors to the garden can sit and enjoy a healthy garden space.   Located next to the  rectory - is the plot of land that is worked and harvested by volunteers from St. Francis Parish.  We garden in a way that is sustainable using techniques that work with and protect the soil that is our greatest asset here in the garden.    Please stop by anytime and take a look.  Also, we planted more than usual - with our new beds that give us extra space - just some of the items we planted this season are Okra, beets, asparagus, pole and bush beans, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, onions and zuchinni.  Questions about information on this page should be directed to Scott Wright  Parish Social Ministry Director, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Seeds have been sown, figuratively and literally, and the harvest is almost ready to be taken in.  Although most of us only think about this project during the exciting times of planting and harvest, this project keeps many dedicated volunteers busy for most of the year.

The Sustainable Garden Project consists of an area in the parish rectory yard (as well as special raised gardens at Perry Nursery School in Ann Arbor on Packard Rd.).  It was set up four years ago (started & blessed in June 2000,) by our Parish Peace & Justice Committee, to help educate people about sustainable gardening, as well as to help provide food for Perry Nursery School families and other local agencies that may not get fresh produce any other way.

Watch the Forum for events dates and times.  All interested are welcome. 

Seeds have been sown, figuratively and literally, and the harvest is almost ready to be taken in.  Although most of us only think about this project during the exciting times of planting and harvest, this project keeps many dedicated volunteers busy for most of the year.

The Sustainable Garden Project consists of an area in the parish rectory yard (as well as special raised gardens at Perry Nursery School in Ann Arbor on Packard Rd.).  It was set up four years ago (started & blessed in June 2000,) by our Parish Peace & Justice Committee, to help educate people about sustainable gardening, as well as to help provide food for Perry Nursery School families and other local agencies that may not get fresh produce any other way. 

As a sustainable garden we do not use any synthetic chemical fertilizers or mulch, and we concentrate on only planting organic and heirloom seeds that sustain the soil health of our garden.  Also we stay away from using techniques that would destroy the health of the soil we try to cultivate- such as over-tilling.  We, the volunteer gardeners, plant the seeds, tend the garden, and harvest the vegetables (and some flowers) to take to people in need, as well as put the garden down for the winter and plan for next season's harvest.  Most of the year we take our produce to Perry Nursery School which provides child day care to low-income families in the area who may not have been able to afford it otherwise.  When Perry Nursery School is not is session we have also taken the produce to other area agencies that support families and young mothers in crisis.

In addition St. Francis Sustainable Garden Project has also helped Perry Nursery School build their own garden at the nursery school which the children care for and from which they can learn the cycle of growth and harvest of the foods they eat- rather than just seeing them at the grocery store.  This gives the children a sense of accomplishment when they have grown a plant from seed, as well as helping them understand environmental stewardship through gardening.

We also hold a plant and seed sale in the spring, and a seed sale in the fall, from seeds and plants that we have collected from our garden.  We plan to present some of our harvest at church during the offering at Mass to thank the Lord for blessing us with the ability to share the bounty we posses.

In the future we look forward to holding mini-festivals or get-to-know-us sessions at the garden where we can introduce other members of the parish community to the wonderful space which we call our sustainable garden.

What we grow.   We have grown zucchini, tomatoes, leeks, beets, kale, collard greens, beans, spinach, mescaline lettuce, and celery.  This year we are growing zucchini, beets, kale, collard greens, cabbage, garlic, chives, basil, dill, Swiss chard, beans, cucumbers and celery.  Last year we harvested over 70 lbs. of produce to give to the families of Perry Nursery School and others.  Next year we hope to grow pumpkins as well so we can have some of the kids out to pick their own pumpkin.

Watch the Forum for events dates and times.  All interested are welcome.
 
 

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