Vegetable Garden Ministry
7/3/2020
Announcements
- Please water the black eyed peas by placing the hose in the trench. By allowing water to flow naturally downhill via the trench it can get to the roots more efficiently.
- Tip: turn the water on to a small stream and allow the water to flow slowly down to the end of the row. Ensure water reaches the plant on the far end.
- Avoid spraying water directly on the plants. Rabbit inhibitor has been used on the plants and will wash away if watered.
Thank you! -Mary B.
Photo Gallery
Bugs & Dirt Galore!
Top 10 cities most affected by bugs in 2020
The list was compiled by TruGreen using 2019 customer data.
MEMPHIS – TruGreen, a national lawn care company whose services include mosquito, flea and tick control, released its 2020 list of cities most bothered by bugs.
Compiled from 2019 customer data, this year’s list also includes the increased percentage in services provided compared to the previous year. While July remained the month for peak infestation for a second consecutive year, residents are taking steps now to ensure their outdoor experience is both enjoyable and safe.
- New York, NY (15% increase)
- Boston, MA (10% increase)
- Chicago, IL (30% increase)
- Atlanta, GA (18% increase)
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (20% increase)
- Detroit, MI (20% increase)
- Washington, DC (20% increase)
- Philadelphia, PA (24% increase)
- Hartford-New Haven, CT (5% increase)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN (29% increase)
Meddlesome Mosquitos?
- Remove or regularly replace standing water that accumulates in things like buckets and birdbaths where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
- Make sure your lawn is free from piles of twigs, branches and leaves, which provide harborage for mosquitoes.
- Keep your lawn well mowed and other vegetation trimmed to eliminate cool spots where mosquitoes prefer to hang out.
- Plant mosquito-repelling herbs in your garden, including citronella, basil and/or lavender.
Grubs got ya down?
- Adult white grubs, often called May or June beetles, eat grass roots and attract moles.
- Emerge and after mating females return to the soil to lay 30-50 eggs 2 to 5-inches deep.
- 2 weeks to hatch.
- Usually emerge after a significant rainfall.
- Larva feed on grass roots.
- Infested area is confirmed if in 1 square-foot there are 5 or more grubs.
- Grubs go dormant in cool season.
- Treatments in Spring and Winter are ineffective.
Chemical Pesticides:
a. Imidacloprid: Merit, Bayer-Advance Lawn, Scott's Grub-Ex
b. Halofenozide: Mach 2, Spectacide- Grub Stop, Hi-Yield Kill-A-Grub.
Not effective if applied late.
Apply pesticides in early to mid July. Best applied within 6 weeks of egg laying.
Gleaned from TX A&M Agri-life Extension.
White Grubs in Texas Turfgrass - what is a white grub <- click link for more info
Fundraising
The garden soil needs nutrients added. In order to do this, the Board would like to bring in 6-8 yards of Cow Manure @ $50/yard plus the cost of the truck. The manure can be spread immediately as it has already been cured. We are hoping to raise $350 - $450.
- Put your check in an envelope marked "VEGETABLE GARDEN MINISTRY" plus mark your check the same way and drop it off at the Church Office.
- Donate On-Line at: https://www.smcchurch.org/give (there is a box for Vegetable Garden)
- Mail your donation to: St. Michael Catholic Church, 3713 Harwood Rd., Bedford, TX 76021 (mark FOR VEGETABLE GARDEN)
Please submit donations by the end of July, if desired.
Thank you in advance! If you have any questions, please contact Chris at 817-925-4542.
**Big shout out & THANK YOU to Bryan & Cathy Adams for your very generous donation to this project!!
Updated- Who's Who
Vegetable Garden Ministry Board Members
- Chris Delmolino 817-925-4542
- Ofel Cordero 817-691-6026
- Mike Piske- tractor & maintenance
- Marco Molinar- soil solarization specialist
- Mary Baxter- secretary/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.