Do you enjoy gardening? Then this is your invitation to share your green thumb gifts with your MLC family! MLC is in need of folks to adopt landscaping areas around the church to help maintain our flower beds and shrubs.
A map of the available areas is online at https://mlutheran.org/mlc-landscape-adopt-a-bed/ or and posted at the Welcome Center in the Narthex. Areas are negotiable!
The scope will vary by area, but the main tasks include weeding, trimming, and generally keeping the area looking nice. If you’d like to add plants, please consult with Andrew King first. Details for each area will are also explained online and in print.
Sign up at the Welcome Center or email or call Andrew. You can sign up as an individual, with a friend, or as a family – whatever works best for your gardening style!
Area Tasks
General Procedures: Cut things back just after they bloom. Spring bloomers need to be cut back by July 4th. Bloomers that last into fall can be cut back anytime during the winter – they generally bloom on any new growth. Please consult with Andrew first before planting new plants.
Areas 1-6 – Weeding, watering, trimming as necessary.
Area 7 – Weeding, watering, trimming as necessary (including holly). Cut back roses to major stalks no more than 18” above ground in January/February.
Area 8 – Weeding, trimming as necessary
Area 9 – Weeding, cleaning up crepe myrtle debris, trimming holly shrubs as necessary. Cut back roses to major stalks no more than 18” above ground in January/February.
Area 10 – Weeding, cleaning up crepe myrtle debris, watering (if needed). Cut back roses to major stalks no more than 18” above ground in January/February.
Area 11 – Weeding, trimming holly shrubs/boxwoods as necessary. Cut back roses to major stalks no more than 18” above ground in January/February. Cut back iris foliage to a short fan – 6-8” above ground in November.
Area 12 – Weeding, trimming boxwoods as necessary. Cut back any dead branches on Indian Hawthorne and cherry laurels in June. Cut abelia bushes (outside sanctuary on east side) to main stalk in January/February.
Area 13 – Weeding, trimming as necessary. Cut back any dead branches on Indian Hawthorne in June. Cut back roses to major stalks no more than 18” above ground in January/February. Also remove any unused nandina berries – they are invasive! Thin the nandina stalks in April using 1/3 rule: In any one clump, cut the longest 1/3 of the stalks to the ground. Cut the next tallest 1/3 of the stalks to about 2’ from ground level (ie, in half). Leave the shortest 1/3 stalks as is. Nandina is VERY hardy and they will all grow back.
Area 14 – Weeding, trimming as necessary.
Area 15 – Weeding, trimming (including boxwood hedge in front of fence), cleaning up crepe myrtle debris. In November, cut back the oak leaf hydrangeas waist height and the longest branches. Also cut back iris foliage to a short fan – 6-8” above ground.
Area 16 – Weeding and general courtyard upkeep. Cut back passion flower vine in March.