Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild

Donations!
This week’s recipients of corn, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, summer squash and zucchini are the Capital Area Food Bank, Community Immaculate Heart of Mary, Little Sisters of the Poor and the Franciscan Monastery kitchen (for the friars). On Sept. 8, we donated 490 pounds of food to DC Central Kitchen.

Gardening hours – no more evening hours
(it’s dark out!)
Fr. Francis’ Garden (behind the monastery and near the greenhouse). We will be open for drop-in gardening this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 12 and 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Beekeeping Team this Saturday
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Feeding the apiary (16 hives) with sugar water, Saturdays through Oct. 28 (cancelled in the event of rain or high wind)

Garden Tours
11 a.m. and 12 noon
Tours end on Sept. 30. Meet in front of the Visitor Center/friary for a guided tour of the front formal gardens, natural gardens and a quick peek behind the scenes at our vegetable garden and bee apiaries. Learn about the history, architecture and outdoor shrines along the way.

Catholic University Volunteers
Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join Catholic University student volunteers this Sunday in Fr. Francis’ Garden.

Still More … and Save the Date for FMGG Oct. Meeting

Trinity Washington University’s Student Involvement & Service Fair
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 4-6 p.m.
Join FMGG volunteers at our table. If interested, contact Lou at gardenguild@gmail.com

DC State Fair
Sunday, Sept. 24. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
375 and 425 M. St. SW Washington, DC)
Join FMGG volunteers. If interested, contact Joe Bozik at gardenguild@gmail.com 

FMGG General Meeting
Saturday, Oct. 14, 9:30–11 a.m.
St. Bonaventure Conference Room
Review the year and plan ahead and bring something to share at the potluck to follow.

It’s Time for County (and State) Fairs

It’s August and that means it’s time for entering our produce in the county and state fairs. Last year, the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild and its volunteers won a LOT of ribbons, including this blue ribbon for tomatoes at the Howard County Fair.

Tomato Sauce Canning
Friday, Aug. 11-Monday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Help with tomato peeling, chopping, pulping, sauce stirring, canning and – yes – clean up! This is a great way to get inspired to make your own tomato sauce at home. Please email in advance when you are available plus additional details: gardenguild@gmail.com

Drop-In Gardening Continues – Extended Hours!
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

No experience necessary. Help us in the herb and vegetable gardens. All produce is donated to the friars, local convents and local churches and non-profits helping feed those in need.

Garden Tours 
Saturdays, 11 a.m. and 12 noon

Our volunteer tour guides are leading weekly tours of the public gardens plus a sneak peek behind the monastery where our vegetable and herb gardens and beehives are. To arrange a special tour for your group, contact the Pat via the Monastery main number at 202-526-6800.

Beekeeping Team
Saturdays, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26

Our beekeeping team will meet from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on two Saturdays in August.

The FMGG donated over 209 pounds of vegetables and herbs in June to the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Anthony of Padua food pantry, the monastery, Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters and Franciscan sisters. This month, we also have a donation scheduled with DC Central Kitchen.

The June harvest included eggplant, garlic, leeks, lettuce, onion. potatoes and radicchio, as well as herbs: basil, borage, chives, cilantro, dill, germander, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Join us during drop-in gardening hours: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – 1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, DC 20017 (behind the monastery and gift shop).

Questions? Want to be on our weekly email list? Email gardenguild@gmail.org. And, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.