Sustainable  Garden Project A Member of the International Peace Garden Network since  July 18, 2005. Dedicated to Peace & Tranquility! 2008 VOLUNTEER Schedule "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.  Last Fall, we had delivered over 180 lbs. of produce- to the Perry Nursery School Pantry.  Usually, little or no fresh produce makes its way to their panty because like most food banks it cannot handle perishables.   If you like to garden, the Parish Sustainable Garden and Perry Nursery's Children's Garden, needs your help.  Even more than we need volunteers for the two work days in April and May- we need volunteers for maintenance.  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.  We plant:  Black Beans, Golden Beets, Spaghetti Squash, Radishes, California White Garlic, Cutting Celery, Green Onions, Blushing Beauty Peppers,  Mesclun Lettuce, Wild Kale, King Richard Leeks, Red Rubin Basil, Strawberries,  And FLOWERS!!  Shasta Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Marigolds, Morning Glories, Nasturtiums, Blanket Flowers, Cosmos, & Sunflowers. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!  Please fill out the form below, and submit it.  Or, contact:  .  We'll give you a call with the details about what to do next. Please do not just drop off items. ------------------------ Volunteer Sign-Up For the Sustainable Garden Project…     Name:      Telephone:(Home# Work# Day# Evening#)      E-mail Address: I can VOLUNTEER: 2008 Schedule ___on Saturday, April 12, 2008, from 11-2pm - or any part of that time: First work day (cleaning up from last season, re-potting plants) (rain date Sunday, April 20th, 2008 - 12-3pm). ___ on  Saturday,May 3, 2008, from 11-2pm - or any part of that time: Second work day  (building raised beds + filling in beds) (rain date Saturday, May 10th, 2008 - 11-2pm ) ___ on Saturday, May 31st, 2008,  from 11-2pm - or any part of that time: First Planting, Come ready to plant seedlings.  (rain date Saturday, June 7th, 2008  - 11-2pm ). ___ from May 30/31 - Sept/Oct, 2008,  - garden maintenance, watering/ weeding garden.  Plan to schedule each person no more than 1 day a week and have at least 3-4 days a week covered by someone. ___ prospective dates for our other garden projects:  June 8th, 2008, - seed sale Oct 18th, 2008, - Fall cleanup Oct. 25th, 2008, - rain date I can VOLUNTEER: Maintenance Days- Come and water, check for and remove insect pests, and check for disease one day a week. (Volunteers are needed for every day but Sunday.) Monday(s) Tuesday(s) Wednesday(s) Thursday(s) Friday(s) Saturday(s) List Dates Here: I am AVAILABLE at these TIMES: List Times Here: I can PRAY: for God's blessing on our soil, on our hearts and our hands as we do His work. I can DONATE:  ("*" = any and every kind.) Shovels* Rakes* Hoes* Wooden Stakes Straw Bales Seeds* Compost Seed Starting Supplies Lumber Questions, contact:  Questions about information on this page should be directed to Scott Wright  Parish Social Ministry Director, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

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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.