1715 N. Zarmzamora * San Antonio, Texas * 78201
Garden's of St. Therese
A Community Garden of the West Side
In the fall of 2006 the Basilica’s Community Program department joined efforts with the Bexar Land Trust, a local non-profit organization that advocates and promotes green spaces and gardens, to further expand the outreach for community gardens in the West Side of San Antonio. With the assistance of the Bexar Land Trust and the generous support of the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation the Basilica was the first recipient of the Kronkosky’s Pocket Park Initiative grant to begin the development of a community garden. The Carmelite Fathers donated the use of approximately a one acre area of land located directly behind the monastery to begin the creation of a garden to be built by and for the people of the community.
How It All Began
In the spring of 2006 one of the Carmelite Brothers’ started a science project with our Little Flower 8th graders, teaching them about organic gardening. A vegetable bed was built and cherry tomatoes were planted as part of the project. The project carried on for the next few months and to everyone’s surprise an amazing, bumper crop was grown. The science project had proven to be very successful and the children who had participated had grown in their understanding of nature and horticulture. Unfortunately, when the school year ended our Carmelite Brother also had to leave to undertake other pursuits. With no students or Carmelite Brother to work on the garden, it was left to its own survival without help from anyone. Unbelievably, with little to no care, the cherry tomatoes kept producing new fruit. There was an overwhelming crop that had grown so much, new beds had to be built to support the growth. One afternoon, the friars’ cook decided to make a batch of her homemade salsa, salvaging what was left of the tomatoes after the birds had their fill and the Texas heat had destroyed the rest. She gave a sample of her salsa to some of the Basilica staff and was immediately encouraged to make more and possibly sell the jars of salsa after each mass. After several “sell out” Sunday’s the idea of growing our own ingredients and promoting vegetable gardens started to “grow” on us. The name “Holy Salsa” was given to this wonderful salsa and the promise of starting a garden was “planted!”
Today, you will find 24 spacious garden beds where young and old, seasoned and beginner gardeners work side by side to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables and enjoy the benefits of gardening. Each of the 24 garden beds have been adopted by families, area non-profit organizations and parishioners. The symbolism of 24 beds is in honor of our patron saint, St. Therese, “The Little Flower” who died at the young age of 24. By the summer of 2008, 24 garden benches inscribed with poetry or quotes by St. Therese will be installed throughout the garden to encourage visitors to sit and relax for a while. For visitors who seek the contemplative experience of being surrounded by nature, a visit to our St. Therese prayer garden will soon be a possibility.
A mini-orchard has been planted which will eventually yield a bounty of oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, olives and persimmons. Over 60 different types of roses have been planted recently to grace the garden in honor of St. Therese, who before her death said she would send down a shower of roses. By this summer all the efforts of our planting will be in full bloom! Pathways have been completed allowing total access to all areas of the garden. Eventually arbors will also be built with climbing roses planted under the arbors which, in time, will create a beautiful canopy of fragrant and colorful roses overhead.
In addition, a common area for visiting gardeners is taking shape and already has produced okra, peppers and tomatoes. These nine, 3’ by 10’ beds, have been constructed to grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs and onions which will be harvested to provide ingredients to make our salsa and prepare for marketing this summer. Added to this area will be four raised beds designed to be wheelchair accessible.
By the spring of 2008, the construction of a deck that is to be used for garden & art related workshops will be completed. A gazebo and greenhouse are also included in the plans, and to add even more fun to the garden, a life size chessboard and children’s labyrinth will be installed for all to enjoy.
In the fall of 2006 the Basilica’s Community Program department joined efforts with the Bexar Land Trust, a local non-profit organization that advocates and promotes green spaces and gardens, to further expand the outreach for community gardens in the West Side of San Antonio. With the assistance of the Bexar Land Trust and the generous support of the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation the Basilica was the first recipient of the Kronkosky’s Pocket Park Initiative grant to begin the development of a community garden. The Carmelite Fathers donated the use of approximately a one acre area of land located directly behind the monastery to begin the creation of a garden to be built by and for the people of the community.
How It All Began
In the spring of 2006 one of the Carmelite Brothers’ started a science project with our Little Flower 8th graders, teaching them about organic gardening. A vegetable bed was built and cherry tomatoes were planted as part of the project. The project carried on for the next few months and to everyone’s surprise an amazing, bumper crop was grown. The science project had proven to be very successful and the children who had participated had grown in their understanding of nature and horticulture. Unfortunately, when the school year ended our Carmelite Brother also had to leave to undertake other pursuits. With no students or Carmelite Brother to work on the garden, it was left to its own survival without help from anyone. Unbelievably, with little to no care, the cherry tomatoes kept producing new fruit. There was an overwhelming crop that had grown so much, new beds had to be built to support the growth. One afternoon, the friars’ cook decided to make a batch of her homemade salsa, salvaging what was left of the tomatoes after the birds had their fill and the Texas heat had destroyed the rest. She gave a sample of her salsa to some of the Basilica staff and was immediately encouraged to make more and possibly sell the jars of salsa after each mass. After several “sell out” Sunday’s the idea of growing our own ingredients and promoting vegetable gardens started to “grow” on us. The name “Holy Salsa” was given to this wonderful salsa and the promise of starting a garden was “planted!”
Today, you will find 24 spacious garden beds where young and old, seasoned and beginner gardeners work side by side to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables and enjoy the benefits of gardening. Each of the 24 garden beds have been adopted by families, area non-profit organizations and parishioners. The symbolism of 24 beds is in honor of our patron saint, St. Therese, “The Little Flower” who died at the young age of 24. By the summer of 2008, 24 garden benches inscribed with poetry or quotes by St. Therese will be installed throughout the garden to encourage visitors to sit and relax for a while. For visitors who seek the contemplative experience of being surrounded by nature, a visit to our St. Therese prayer garden will soon be a possibility.
A mini-orchard has been planted which will eventually yield a bounty of oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, olives and persimmons. Over 60 different types of roses have been planted recently to grace the garden in honor of St. Therese, who before her death said she would send down a shower of roses. By this summer all the efforts of our planting will be in full bloom! Pathways have been completed allowing total access to all areas of the garden. Eventually arbors will also be built with climbing roses planted under the arbors which, in time, will create a beautiful canopy of fragrant and colorful roses overhead.
In addition, a common area for visiting gardeners is taking shape and already has produced okra, peppers and tomatoes. These nine, 3’ by 10’ beds, have been constructed to grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs and onions which will be harvested to provide ingredients to make our salsa and prepare for marketing this summer. Added to this area will be four raised beds designed to be wheelchair accessible.
By the spring of 2008, the construction of a deck that is to be used for garden & art related workshops will be completed. A gazebo and greenhouse are also included in the plans, and to add even more fun to the garden, a life size chessboard and children’s labyrinth will be installed for all to enjoy.
Copyright . Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. All rights reserved.
