Featured Events
Planting and Garden Preparation
Every spring, usually in late April or early May, depending on the weather in Michigan, volunteers get the garden ready for planting. First, they rake the area and add compost to the in-ground beds, which is then mixed in using a rototiller. Raised beds are filled with a mixture of compost and soil. Seeds and seedlings are purchased just before the planting event.
Annual Events
Planting Party - Every May
Each May, participants from Special Ministries gather for an enjoyable evening at the garden. After a delicious meal, they form small groups to take turns planting seeds and seedlings. While waiting for their turn, other groups engage in various yard games.
Throughout the event, a variety of vegetables and flowers are planted, some in raised beds and others directly in the ground. The specific types of plants may vary from year to year, but participants have previously planted peppers, tomatoes, marigolds, sweet peas, green beans, cucumbers, corn, sunflowers, lettuce, and zucchini. The sensory herb bed is a dynamic collection that includes lemon grass, basil, dill, oregano, and thyme.
The atmosphere is filled with laughter as participants and volunteers enjoy the experience, getting their hands dirty and wet while planting the garden.
Petting Zoo
Every summer, a traveling petting zoo visits the garden. After enjoying a healthy and delicious meal, participants have the chance to interact with the animals. A variety of creatures are available to feed and pet, including turtles, alpacas, ducks, bunnies, ponies, horses, goats, and sheep. As always, participants will also have the opportunity to weed, water, and tend to their plants in the garden.
Pumpkin Carving and HayRides
Every October, participants enjoy a delicious meal, followed by cider and donuts. Everyone takes turns riding on the hay wagon and carving pumpkins under the lights. Delightful sounds fill the evening as more vegetable harvesting takes place during this festive event.
Additional Events
Summer Carnival
Participants from the Special Ministry gathered for an enjoyable evening filled with activities. There was a hot dog stand offering chips and ice-cold pop and water. Guests could visit a petting zoo and play carnival games. Various prizes were awarded to game winners, and attendees had the opportunity to ride a horse and feed animals. Due to the overwhelming success of the event, we are planning to add new games and a dunk tank for next year. This event will now become an annual tradition.
Birdhouses
Watching and listening to birds is a delightful way to immerse oneself in nature. Their cheerful songs and lively movements not only entertain but also benefit the garden by aiding in pollination and deterring pests.
Recently, participants in the Special Ministry gathered to check on the thriving vegetables and flowers they had planted after a nutritious dinner. Their faces lit up as they saw seeds sprouting from the soil.
Each participant received a beautifully crafted birdhouse, generously donated by a kind gentleman from the community. With joy and creativity, they added colorful designs, turning the birdhouses into vibrant masterpieces to take home and invite nature into their gardens.
Bee Presentation
Participants from the Special Ministry enjoyed a delicious dinner and dessert before attending a presentation on bees. They learned about the crucial role bees play in pollination and the importance of providing them with water. During the event, they spent their remaining time constructing bee watering stations using pots, saucers, and rocks. Interestingly, they discovered that bees enjoy a little salt in their water. There was also some harvesting at the event, which included tender green beans and colorful flowers!
Mosaic Stones
In keeping with the garden's vibrant mosaic theme, we decided to craft beautiful mosaic stepping stones. Each participant received two sturdy, pre-made stepping stones, ready to be transformed into unique works of art. With an array of colorful tiles and charming ceramic shapes at their fingertips, creativity flowed freely as they excitedly set to work.
The air was filled with laughter and chatter, with everyone buzzing about the delightful meal prepared by our wonderful volunteers—a feast that energized and inspired them. Once the stones were adorned with their personalized designs, they were carefully sprayed with a protective coating, ensuring they would withstand the elements.
With pride beaming in their eyes, each participant took their masterpieces home, while several stunning stones were left behind to decorate the garden, adding a splash of color and creativity to the natural landscape.
Colorful Rocks
Are all rocks the same? A presentation was given in the garden shed to demonstrate how rocks are made of different materials. It turns out that some materials in the rocks can cause them to change color under different lighting conditions. After the presentation and a delicious meal, everyone present received rocks to paint with glow-in-the-dark paint. There were so many creative designs! The painted stones were sprayed with a protective coating, and everyone took their rocks home.
Students Get Involved
Students from the LESA classrooms at the Pathway building have been actively involved with the Mosaic Garden. They began their preparations for the garden while it was still cold outside, planting seeds and watching them sprout in the classroom. In late May, they started making visits to the garden. It was a joy to see the bus pull up and the students arrive at the garden.
They planted seedlings of tomatoes, nasturtiums, and beans, which they discovered work well together for companion planting. Additionally, they planted pumpkins, strawberries, and marigolds. Throughout the summer and fall, students visited the garden twice a week, where they watered, weeded, and harvested. They also enjoyed activities at the picnic tables and the fresh air, which varied from cold to warm.
In the fall, they planted tulip bulbs, garlic, and milkweed. Teachers and assistants were seen helping students in various ways, accommodating their different abilities.
