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Garden News 5-11-22

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May 112022
 

2020 – Celebrating 20 Years of Feeding the Hungry

Many of you are new friends of the Garden. Here is a summary of what we do.
The Faith & Grace Garden is a 1.1 acre donation garden, meaning all of the 20,000 pounds of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables we grew last year were donated to local food pantries.  The Faith & Grace Garden Greenhouse is a 48’x26’ all season structure where about 40,000 vegetable starts are grown each year. Garden partner Lutheran Services raises about 30,000 of these plants as part of their Global Greens Program.

The Master Gardeners grow about 2,000 flower and vegetable plants in the greenhouse for their community gardens. We give about 5,000 vegetable plants to 12 other local school and donation gardens. The remaining vegetable plants are either set out into the Faith & Grace Garden or given to the local community through annual plant giveaways in April and May.
Vegetable Giveaway extended to this weekend……


Many thanks to the students of Waukee High School for volunteering in the garden last week.
Last Wednesday 28 students from Waukee High School helped spread mulch over weed cover in the cabbage patch. About 800 plants are now growing there.


Garden volunteer Joe Van Derask prepared seed potatoes for planting in April. We will plant more cabbages between the potato hills.


What’s growing in the Faith & Grace Garden:


How many plants (approx)

Progress

Onions & garlic

9,000 or so

Planting complete

Cabbage

850

Need to plant 350 more

Broccoli

170

Planting complete

Cauliflower

90

Planting complete

Kale

45

Need to plant one row

Potatoes

400 pounds of seed potatoes

Planting complete

Peppers

600

Need to plant 600

Sweet potato plants

3,000

Planting over Memorial Day weekend.

Swiss Chard

45

Need to plant one row

Tomatoes

250

Need to plant 600 more

The following plants will be row planted from seed into the garden this year: radishes, turnips, spinach, lettuce, and beets. Asparagus and blueberries are growing in established beds now. We will harvest asparagus this month and blueberries in June.
As you can see, May is a busy month in the garden…can you help? Become a garden volunteer! Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

May

5-7 pm

5-7 pm

9-11am

June-Sep

5:30-7:30 pm

5:30-7:30 pm

9-11am

5:30-7:30 pm

Oct

5-7 pm

5-7 pm

9-11am

To volunteer in the garden, please sign-up here.
Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate with you, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com to arrange a convenient time.gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden them.
If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

For more information about the Faith & Grace Garden

Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

 Posted by at 1:18 am

Garden News 5-7-22

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May 072022
 

Vegetable Plant Giveaway
Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash, Cucumbers, Melons
When: Saturday, May 7th – 9AM-Noon & Sunday, May 8th 11:30AM-12:30PM
Google Maps
Donate Today

Planting season is here…can you help?


So far, we have planted 400 pounds of seed potatoes and about 6,000 onions. In May,we will be planting all our warm weather crops; tomatoes, peppers, melons, and so forth.

Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

May

5-7 pm

5-7 pm

9-11am

June-Sep

5:30-7:30 pm

5:30-7:30 pm

9-11am

5:30-7:30 pm

Oct

5-7 pm

5-7 pm

9-11am

To volunteer in the garden, please sign-up here.

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate with you, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.
There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact
Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com to arrange a convenient time.
Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work.
Donate Today
or…
Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266.
Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

For more information about the Faith & Grace Garden

Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

 Posted by at 9:37 am

Garden News 4-2-22

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Apr 022022
 

The Faith + Grace Garden has an abundance of cool weather starter plants to share!
Kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, and spinach!  Free (donations accepted)
Come to the Garden Green House on Saturday, April 2, 9 AM- Noon | Sunday, April 3, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM for the giveaway.
Parking is in the lot north of St Timothy’s.

Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 | timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 | wdmmarshall@msn.com

 

 Posted by at 3:21 am

Garden News 3-20-22

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Mar 202022
 

We are planting onions in the Faith & Grace Garden this afternoon starting at 3pm. Come if you can!
We have some beautiful onion sets that were started in December ready to go into the garden this afternoon!
A big thank you to those who turned out on Thursday to help us plant onions.

Wear your grubbies and see you there!

Tim Goldman 515-745-9842
timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381
wdmmarshall@msn.com
www.growthefood.org

 Posted by at 3:16 am

Garden News 10-19-21

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Oct 192021
 

Hello Garden Friends,

Looks like a freeze might be heading our way this weekend, so we need your help to get everything picked tomorrow night (October 20th, 2021) from 5pm – 6:30/dark.
We have lots of peppers and tomatoes to pick so they do not get spoiled by the cold.
Please email us if you can make it this evening!
Thanks,
Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 | timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 | wdmmarshall@msn.com | www.growthefood.org
 Posted by at 5:40 pm

Garden News 8-30-21

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Aug 302021
 

Gardening on this Wednesday, September 1, cancelled
We will resume our regular volunteer schedule on Thursday, September 2.


Summer heat getting your garden down? Try giving your tomatoes a boost with Epsom Salts

https://happydiyhome.com/epsom-salt-for-tomato-plants/

Below is a comprehensive guide on epsom salt for tomato plants. It is completely free and you can find it here: https://happydiyhome.com/epsom-salt-for-tomato-plants/Thanks to Happy DIY Home for this article. Other fine articles on gardening are available on their Gardening tab.


Watering and harvesting…can you help?

Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
June – Oct 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm

To volunteer in the garden, please sign-up at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AA9A82EA6F58-faith

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.

There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com to arrange a convenient time.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to volunteer, please let us know and we will arrange to make your time in the garden safe for all.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

Here are our harvest and donation results through August 28

For more information about the Faith & Grace Garden
Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 | timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 | wdmmarshall@msn.com | www.growthefood.org

 

 Posted by at 4:52 am

Garden News 8-24-21

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Aug 242021
 

We are having a Great Year in the Garden!!

Last year we grew and donated a near record 16,300 pounds of organic produce. This year we are doing even better. How much better? Well, as of August 12, 2020, we had donated 4,200 pounds. This year, as of August 13 we have donated 7,600 pounds!

We came to the garden on Monday and there it was…A big thank you to the anonymous donor of this new wheelbarrow!

Name that Vegetable Contest….no one guessed correctly this year
Our mystery vegetable was a giallo squash. It originates in Italy. We tried the ‘monster’ variety which regularly grows to over 5 pounds. This one weighed nearly 45 pounds!


Watering and harvesting…can you help?

Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
June – Oct 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm

To volunteer in the garden, please sign-up at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AA9A82EA6F58-faith

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.

There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com to arrange a convenient time.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to volunteer, please let us know and we will arrange to make your time in the garden safe for all.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

Here are harvest and donation results through August 21

 

What we grew                          Pounds
Bush Beans 344
Cabbage 2,762
Cantaloupe 296
Cauliflower 10
Cucumbers 497
Eggplant 68
Garlic/ garlic scapes 36
Kale 465
Lettuce 88
Onions                              285
Peas 80
Peppers 411
Summer Squash 854
Tomatoes 3,209
Water melon 335
Winter Squash 199
Total Harvested 9,939
Donation site Pounds
Trinity 4,983
Johnston 15
Urbandale 85
Catholic Workers 0
Central IA Shelter 58
DMARC 945
WDM Human Services 3,853
Total Donated 9,939

 

 

 

For more information about the Faith & Grace Garden
Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 | timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 | wdmmarshall@msn.com | www.growthefood.org
 Posted by at 4:43 am

Garden News 7-24-21

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Jul 242021
 

Lots of watering and harvesting going on now in the garden.

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, kale and beans are now ready to be picked. Continued warm weather also means there is plenty of watering to do, too. A big thank you to the wonderful crew from Corteva Agriscience who harvested 945 pounds of cabbage on Monday! 

Watering and harvesting…can you help?
Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
June – Oct 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm

To sign-up to volunteer, go here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AA9A82EA6F58-faith

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.

There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com to arrange a convenient time.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to volunteer, please let us know and we will arrange to make your time in the garden safe for all.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

Name that Vegetable Contest….30+ pounds and it’s not a pumpkin
Every summer we grow a ‘mystery vegetable’ with a prize going to the first reader that correctly identifies it. So what kind of squash is it? Hint, it can grow to over 60 pounds.


Here are harvest and donation results through July 19

What we grew Pounds
Cabbage 1,485
Cucumbers 281
Eggplant 56
Garlic/ garlic scapes 36
Kale 344
Lettuce 88
Onions 120
Peas 80
Peppers 70
Tomatoes 84
Zucchini 365
Total Harvested 3,009
Donation Sites
Trinity Methodist 1,307
Johnston Food Pantry 15
Central IA Shelter & Svcs 58
DMARC 945
WDM Human Services 684
Total Donated 3,009

 

For more information about the Faith & Grace Garden Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com |  www.growthefood.org

 

 Posted by at 4:30 am

Garden News 6-6-21

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Jun 062021
 

Need Vegetable Plants for Your Garden?

Free tomato, eggplant, and a few other varieties of vegetable plants are available for pick-up from the Faith & Grace Garden Greenhouse. Text Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 with questions or to arrange a convenient pick-up time.

Spring planting is now over…here’s what is growing in the garden:

So far, we have planted cabbages (1,100), onions (5,000), tomatoes (650), peppers (700), sweet potatoes (1,200) plus lettuce, blueberries, cucumbers, spinach, beets, garlic, asparagus, zucchini, and radishes in the garden.

Next, we will be planting melons and squash.

Summer watering is in full swing…can you help?

Weather forecasts calling for a hot and dry summer this year seem to be coming true.. We are busily installing a drip irrigation system in the garden, starting with the tomato patch. But we need watering help! Even an hour a week will make a big difference.

Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
June – Oct 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm 9-11am

 

To sign-up to volunteer, go here.

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.

There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, text Mark Marshall to arrange a convenient time.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to volunteer, please let us know and we will arrange to make your time in the garden safe for all.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

 Posted by at 4:27 am

Garden News 5-16-21

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May 162021
 

Spring Planting Update

So far, we have planted cabbages (1,100), onions (5,000), and tomatoes (600) plus lettuce, spinach, beets, potatoes, and radishes in the garden.

Now, we are planting peppers and cucumbers. Soon, we will plant sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.

Weather forecasts point to a hot and dry summer this year. We are preparing for dry conditions by installing a drip irrigation system in the garden as we plant. After we install the drip system, we mulch the ground with leaves to retain moisture and to reduce weed growth.

Photos:(Right) Last week, youth from Covenant Presbyterian Church fertilized the blueberry bush. (Bottom) Dripper (red) is attached to a water line next to a  tomato plan and then mulched over.


Volunteer Times – Now Tuesday and Thursday Mornings, Too!
Volunteer times in the garden are as follows:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
May 5:30-7:30pm 9-11am 5:30-7:30pm 9-11am
June – Oct 6-8pm 9-11am 6-8pm 9-11am

To sign-up to volunteer, go to here.

Why sign-up? It helps us to plan our activities and to communicate, especially when the weather looks bad and we need to cancel.

There are also opportunities to volunteer in the garden by appointment, contact Mark Marshall at 988-5381 or wdmmarshall@msn.com or Tim Goldman at 745-9842 or timothyjgoldman@gmail.com to arrange a convenient time.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines. If you are not fully vaccinated and wish to volunteer, please let us know and we will arrange to make your time in the garden safe for all.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

 Posted by at 3:53 am