Garden Details
Garden Details
This eight raised bed garden uses these beds and perimeter grounds for vegetables and a few flowers. We plant all seasons with food that would be useful to Catholic Parish Outreach clients and the Food Pantry there. A perimeter bed hosts our pepper plants. One garden team member bottles hot sauce made from the peppers. We also plant some herbs and a few flowers, some pollinators. Outside our fence, we have a large fig tree and a butterfly bush. We’ve added a small library kiosk that is enjoyed by neighbors and parishioners.
Garden Practices
Garden Practices
Our garden is organic. We have 8 raised beds, including one of higher heights for handicap accessibility.
We plant year-round. We utilize two parish volunteer days to engage extra helpers for larger jobs like spreading mulch.
Our team of 10 or so volunteers meet on Saturdays for regular work days. We have an irrigation system in the beds but water regularly by hand when the perimeter beds are planted. The parish school third graders plant with us each spring. They raise pea seedlings and then bring them to the garden for planting. They visit as the vines grow.
Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumbers, Egg Plant, Green Beans, Kohl Rabi, Lettuces, Okra, Peppers (Banana, Jalapeno, Ghost, etc.) Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes. We try new things periodically. We didn't repeat corn after one season and tomatoes have not been widely successful.
Along with parishioners, some neighbors help at the garden. As mentioned, Third Graders from the school raise pea seedlings in the classroom and plant them with us in the garden. They return to monitor growth and sample the peas.
Two parish volunteer days, ADay4Him, bring larger groups of family members to help with a bigger spring and fall endeavor.
During summer, our garden team works with parish youth who are doing on-campus ministry support. We host a garden experience with some planting/harvesting etc. and a little education.
Additional Information
Additional Information
We are fenced with additional netting at the lower part, but occasionally some small pests visit the garden. Squirrels liked our tomatoes and egg plant this year. We have some organic pest deterrents but must re-apply after watering/rain.
We've had powdery mildew in some seasons. Have avoided it this year but wonder if other have this issue?
We can't grow squash! We have beautiful plants grow and then the squash borers arrive and they die. Suggestions?
Keeping new volunteers engaged is a challenge. We have a great core team but we need to plan for the future.
Our small garden has produced over 6500 pounds of vegetables to donate to area food pantries. We have a wonderful team and talented, committed members. We are blessed.
