Vegetable Garden Ministry
7/9/2020
Announcements
Solarization
Solarization works with the sun to produce steam which "cooks" the weeds. If the plastic sheet is torn or disrupted the steam escapes and the process stops.
We currently have two areas undergoing solarization. Please do not pull hoses across these areas as the plastic is thin and will tear.
Thank you to Danielle & Leroy for helping Mary with this project on Saturday morning.
Cowpeas
Apple
Hopefully more to come!!
Shout Outs
One Lonely Tomatillo
Do you have a potted tomatillo plant you could lend to a fellow gardener?
If so, please contact Helen B. (682-564-2550). Thank you!!
Events
A Board member will be at the garden during the times listed below.
- Tuesday & Thursday mornings (7-9 am)
- Saturday mornings (7a)
Please feel free to come out to the garden ANY time you would like! There is always, always work to be done :)
Photo Gallery
Resources
Soil
To keep your soil healthy focus on building soil and preventing it from turning into dirt. Composting is a must to amend our tough North Texas clay.
Not sure where to begin? Check out the steps below!
- Never bag and discard leaves or clippings.
- Start a compost pile during the fall season by raking leaves onto a paved surface (driveway, sidewalk) followed by mowing to turn into fine mulch.
- Move to a shaded area where it can be easily watered and turned. Best if pile is 3’ to 4’ high.It will take a year to break down as the earthworms lend a hand.
- Infuse the pile with coffee grounds, crushed egg shells and green clippings which will infuse Nitrogen and increase microbes .
- Stay away from food items like banana peels, meat, citrus they attract rodents.
- Help aerate the pile by inserting perforated pipe into the bottom of the pile. Stuff some type of mesh into the pipe openings to keep rodents out.
- Add compost to your flowers/plants by layering atop the surrounding soil. The nutrients will percolate down into the roots.
- The mown leaves also are an excellent mulch for minimizing evaporation and weed control.
Note to gardeners- please bury all rotten fruit/produce. These castoffs attract and feed rodents.
Thank you Marco for sharing this info!
Fundraising
Updated info- see bold italics
The garden soil needs nutrients added. In order to do this, the Board would like to bring in 6-8 yards of composted horse manure. The cost for this is $50/ cubic yard.
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.
- 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)
**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.