Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild

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.

Join us this Saturday! All events are held at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, DC 20017. Also – no FMGG activities, July 2-4.

Honey Bottling on Saturday, July 1, 2017
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Help us bottle honey! Stop in at the upper level of the greenhouse and help us bottle local honey. Bring a friend. We will be there until we are done!

Drop-in Gardening on Saturday, July 1, 2017
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Start your July off with a couple of hours of work in Fr. Francis’ garden. It’s a great way to spend the day (bring friends) – and to make a difference in your community since the food you help grow will feed families in need in our city.

Garden Tours on Saturday, July 1, 2017
11 a.m. and 12 noon

Enjoy learning about the flowers, plants, architecture and shrines in the formal and natural gardens in front of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land – and stop out back to see our vegetable gardens and bee apiaries. Meet our Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild volunteer docent in front of the Visitor Center.