Garden Planning Update – March 8, 2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the garden meeting and to the many volunteers helping bring this project to life. The garden is beginning to take shape, and it is exciting to see the vision growing week by week.

Phase One of the garden project has been completed, providing the basic infrastructure needed to support future growth.

Completed improvements include:

• Installation of the garden shed
• Completion of the driveway
• Water and electrical connections installed in three locations

Rain Garden

The rain garden has been planted to support water management and pollinators.

• Water-loving shrubs planted
• Three birch trees added
• Donated irises and pansies planted
• Spring bulbs including daffodils, crocuses, and tulips

Pollinator Area

The pollinator section of the garden is beginning to fill in with flowers and trees that support bees and butterflies.

• Two basswood/linden pollinator trees planted near the main gate
• Ten raised beds installed in a cross formation
• Beds planted with pollinator flowers including Cardinal Flower, daisies, and Queen Anne’s lace

The next phase of the project will focus on developing the Mary Garden and central gathering spaces.

Pathways

Concrete pathways were selected for durability and long-term maintenance.

Before pathway construction begins, the following will be installed:

• Irrigation system
• Garden lighting

Walking Path Decision

After reviewing the property layout more closely, the planning team decided not to install a full walking path around the entire garden property.

The idea was discussed during the meeting, but when the group evaluated the space — including the fence setback, the width needed for sidewalks, and the fact that the driveway would also require concrete — it became clear that a full perimeter path would take up a significant amount of usable space.

Several factors influenced this decision:

• The primary mission of the garden is gathering, meditation, and worship rather than exercise
• Oaks Field next door already provides a large and appropriate walking area
• Installing full concrete paths would reduce space available for the gazebo/firepit gathering area and the open grass play space, both of which were strong priorities for the parish

For now, concrete will be limited to the entrance pathway and the Mary Garden area.

If future use of the space shows that additional walking paths would be helpful, a simple gravel or mulch path could easily be added later.

The Mary Garden will serve as the spiritual centerpiece of the community garden.

The design has been revised to create a circular gathering space around the statue, allowing room for benches and a walking rosary path.

Statue Selected

The committee selected a statue of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.

• Height: 6 feet
• Origin: Italy
• Estimated cost for statue and grotto installation: $6,000–$8,000

Whenever possible, the Blessed Sacrament Community Garden will prioritize the use of native plants.

Native plants are beneficial because they are already adapted to our local soil, rainfall, and climate. As a result, they typically require less watering, fertilizer, and long-term maintenance. Even more importantly, native plants support local pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects that rely on them for food and habitat.

By planting native species, the garden helps restore a small piece of the natural ecosystem that belongs in our region.

For this reason, we will try to avoid plants that are non-native or invasive whenever possible.

When selecting plants for the garden, we will aim to choose options that support pollinators, protect local ecosystems, and create a healthy, sustainable garden for the future. 🌿

To keep the garden organized and safe, several operating guidelines have been established.

Vegetable Sharing

• A produce cart will be placed outside the garden gate so parishioners and neighbors may take vegetables.

Garden Access

• A combination lock will be installed on the pedestrian gate.
• The double gate will remain locked except when contractor access is needed.

Current estimated project costs include:

• Mary Garden Phase One: $18,000 to $20,000
• Funds currently available: $3,200

Fundraising efforts will get underway to support the next stages of the garden.

To help keep everyone informed and organized, the garden team will use the Flocknote app for volunteer communication.

Flocknote will allow us to easily share updates, schedule workdays, and coordinate volunteers as the garden continues to grow. Instead of long email chains, volunteers will receive simple messages or reminders about upcoming projects, planting days, and maintenance needs.

Through Flocknote, volunteers will be able to:

• Receive garden updates and announcements

• Sign up for workdays and volunteer opportunities

• Join specific garden teams (planting, maintenance, fundraising, etc.)

• Receive weather updates or schedule changes

• Help coordinate the weekly garden care rotation

Our goal is to make volunteering easy, flexible, and well organized, while making sure everyone who wants to help has a way to stay connected with what is happening in the garden.

If you are interested in volunteering but are not yet connected through Flocknote, we would be happy to help you sign up and get started. 🌿