Vegetable Garden Ministry
Newsletter 8/5/20
Big shout out of thanks to all who contributed to the Cow Manure Fund!
We met our goal AND surpassed it !!!!!
Our Members and Parishioners sure came through and we really appreciate it.
- We have sent soil samples to Texas A&M for analysis and once they are back, we will proceed with the proper nutrients.
- We will also discuss the possibility of a drip system for parts of the garden. Please let us know your thoughts. We will let you know when our next Board meeting to discuss this is in case you would like to attend and observe.
Father B's Bean Plant
When asked how he got it to grow so healthy and fast and he said:
"Make sure you smile at your plants everyday and pray...plants will grow healthier"
It sure worked on this bean plant! Hopefully we will take his advice. :)
Gardening
Please feel free to come out to the garden ANY time you would like! There is always, always work to be done.
A Board member will be at the garden during the times listed below.
- Tuesday & Thursday mornings (7-9 am)
- Saturday mornings (7a)
Photo Gallery
(Photo & caption: Ofel C.)
Catholic Corner
Snow?! In August???
Devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest devotions to Mary. It has direct ties to the legend about a marvelous snowfall in Rome in 352 A.D. Mary had indicated in a dream to a wealthy, childless Roman couple that she wanted a church built in her honor and the site for this church would be covered with snow. On a hot, sultry morning on August 5, Esquiline Hill was covered with snow. All Rome proclaimed the summer snows a miracle, and a church to honor Mary was built on the hill in 358 A.D. Restored and refurbished many times, this church, now the magnificent Basilica of St. Mary Major, still stands today as the seat of devotion to Our Lady of the Snows in the Catholic Church.
It is said that the snow is a beautiful symbol of the graces Mary sends down to us-- as numerous and as varied as the snowflakes. Sometimes, we feel like we are asking God for snowfall in August. We don't see how there could be any possible solutions to problems we face. But what is a little snow for the almighty God? Do we forget how mighty God is or how merciful? Do we fail to remember how much he loves us?
Dear Lord, give me faith in the impossible and perseverance in prayer.
(Adapted from The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion. Original author: Sherry Boas.)
Gardening Tips
From The Dallas Arboretum (https://www.dallasarboretum.org/):
- Proper watering is crucial in August. Apply one to two inches of water per week to -landscaping.
- Keep an eye out for webworms in trees. Use a garden hose to blast them out of the trees with water or cut them out with pole pruners.
- Plant vegetable crops, including corn, tomatoes, and beans, for fall harvest.
- Plant seasonal annuals such as marigolds and ornamental peppers for fall interest.
- Evaluate the volume of water delivered from lawn sprinklers to ensure healthy, stress-free grass during the heat of the summer. One thorough watering which will deliver one inch of water at a time is better than several more shallow sessions. The amount of water available through flower bed sprinklers may be checked by placing several shallow pans among shrubs or flowers
- Caladiums require plenty of water at this time of year if they are to remain lush and active until fall.
- Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning from now until midwinter. Severe pruning at this time will only stimulate tender new growth prior to frost.
- Sow seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas, and other cool-season flowers in flats, or in well-prepared areas of the garden, for planting outside during mid-to-late fall.
- Picking flowers frequently encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even more abundantly.
- It is time to divide spring-flowering perennials, such as iris, Shasta daisy, oxeye, gaillardia, cannas, day lilies, violets, liriope, and ajuga.
- Make your selections and place orders for spring-flowering bulbs now so that they will arrive in time for planting in October and November.
- Don't allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture.
- It is not too late to set out another planting of many warm-season annuals, such as marigolds, zinnias, and periwinkles. They will require extra attention for the first few weeks, but should provide you with color during late September, October, and November.
- Plant bluebonnet and other spring wildflowers in late August. This gives them time to germinate develop good root systems, and be ready to grow in spring when the weather warms. Plant seed in well-prepared soil, one-half inch deep, and water thoroughly.
- Establish a new compost pile to accommodate the fall leaf accumulation
Who's Who
Vegetable Garden Ministry Board Members
- Chris Delmolino 817-925-4542
- Ofel Cordero 817-691-6026
- Mike Piske- tractor & maintenance
- Marco Molinar- avid gardener
- Mary Baxter- treasurer
Communications Committee
- Helen Bradley- photographer
- Bernadette Norman- membership (phone)
- Jennifer Patel- membership (email)
- Katharine Norman- newsletter/ technology
Comments? Suggestions?
Responses to this newsletter will be delivered to stmvgm@gmail.com. Email and newsletter managed by Katharine Norman 817-360-5856.