Lexington Interfaith Garden

By: Amy Swanson

We arrived to a list of maintenance garden tasks but productively checked them all off in short order. Things like cutting the first round of zinnia flowers to encourage more blooms; applying BT to the few remaining cabbage/broccoli plants; watering the seedlings with MiracleGro additive; planting marigolds in both gardens; and harvesting.  Asparagus, strawberries and peas were picked.  The asparagus is nearing the end of their season when Carla will let the plants go to seed.  I brought my 19-yr son to help and he was given the prize job of cutting the asparagus.  He thought it was a really cool experience and on the way home we talked about the difference between expectations and reality of food.  He would have expected asparagus growing in bunches on bushes, not spears bursting out individually.

I learned that it is the odor of marigolds that keeps the bugs away.  Let’s hear it for flower power!  Also that some plants flourish with more picking. The peas as well as the zinnias fall into this category.  And I got my first lesson in identifying the difference between edible pea pods, snow peas and regular peas.   Can I just tell you it’s a challenge for certain people!  I get another lesson on Sat morning  when I’ll help Carla harvest and deliver to the Lexington Food Pantry.

By Amy Swanson

Many thanks for Temple Isaiah having left the garden in such beautiful shape after their Sunday morning mitzvah work.  There wasn’t much weeding inside the garden for us, though there was some behind the strawberry and rhubarb patches. By the way, there’s a new sheriff in town and he arrived in time for the Blessing on Sunday.  The garden has its own scarecrow thanks to Diane.  Check him out!

People who have been working Week 9 and 10 have witnessed the decline of the broccoli and cabbage plants. Was it bugs or bunnies or the vole?  Turns out to be root maggots.  (Small solace that Carla discovered that other master gardener acquaintances are having the same problem this year so we are not alone.)  I was tasked with pulling all but a few plants and into the compost heap they went.  So farewell to those sad plants but hello to the beans that we planted in their stead. (I feel like singing Lion King’s “Circle of Life”.)  Diane R. brought over extra plants from her garden and so cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash were added.    Meg brought her 3 sons who were good doobies.  They read, watched and even got into the weeding and watering routine a bit. And high marks to the patience they showed when Mom stayed after for a scheduling strategy session on that hot afternoon!

I learned the benefit of wearing a brimmed hat when it’s hot!

From: Lexington Minuteman

The blessing of the Lexington Interfaith Garden will take place on Sunday, May 23, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at 5 Harrington Road in Lexington.

The garden — located on land donated for a one-year trial by Carla Fortmann of Lexington — grows with the support of many religious institutions in the Lexington area, including churches, temples, mosques and meetinghouses. Produce from the garden goes to the Lexington Food Pantry.

The Interfaith Garden is an offshoot of the efforts of the Rev. Dana Allen Walsh, co-president of Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association (LICA) and associate minister of the Hancock United Church of Christ.

“The Lexington Interfaith Garden is a place for people for all faiths to come together, get our hands dirty and feed our hungry neighbors,” said Walsh. “It’s easier for those in need to find cookies than fruit and vegetables for their children. This effort helps fill that gap and unites so many of us in the process.”

Walsh had begun a project at Hancock Church called Feeding 5,000. Through the LICA, she asked other faith communities to participate. Participating organizations include: Church of Our Redeemer, First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Follen Church Society, Grace Chapel, Hancock United Church of Christ, Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Religious Society of Friends, Sacred Heart Parish, Saint Brigid Parish, Temple Isaiah, Temple Emunah, and the Trinity Covenant Church.

“Working in the garden achieves two vital goals — feeding those in need and bringing the diverse faith communities of Lexington closer together,” said Rabbi David Lerner of Temple Emunah, co-president of the LICA.

LICA comprises clergy and religious leaders from most of the faith communities in the Lexington area, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Unitarian Universalism. The group’s main focus is promoting fellowship, interfaith cooperation and tolerance among the religious leaders.

The blessing of the Interfaith Garden will take place rain or shine on May 23. Parking is available at First Parish in Lexington at 7 Harrington Road.

By: Kathy Mockett

On Saturday, May 8th, the Youth Group at Redeemer prepared the newly-expanded 4-frame garden.  They dug, they hauled, they built, and they got very wet.  It rained, it thundered, it poured, yet they worked 5 hours straight!!

Sunday was planting day.  In the “Colonial Garden” frame was planted potatoes, peas, carrots, radishes and onions.  In the “Native American” frame was planted corn, beans and squash.  In the “Italian” frame was planted tomatoes, basil and parsley.  And in the “Mediterranean” frame was planted cucumbers, hot peppers, and garlic.  Some of the littlest members of the congregation helped with the planting.

On Tuesday, May 11, the volunteers for the Interfaith Garden, led by Carla Fortmann, walked across the Green to help complete the preparation of the beds.  They dug and they hauled and they did not get wet.

By: Barbara Munkres

Two volunteers from Pilgrim plus a willing substitute, Edie Sandy from Temple Isaiah.

Edie reported that again asparagus was harvested twice in one day. This sounds like a miracle plant!  She also reports that “Carla got some tomato and eggplant seedlings at McCue’s in Woburn, and we planted them (eggplants in the little garden, far from the tomatoes!)”  This is a mystery…….do eggplants and tomatoes not get along well together?

Perhaps next week’s gardeners can find out the answer!