With the support of Mayflower’s Gardens and Grounds staff and Grinnell College’s Farmhouse students, a group of Mayflower residents is developing a garden of “Mayflower Beans.” Located immediately south of the Watertower Square apartments, this two-row, 42-foot patch will appear as an attractive hedge.
The striking gray and red beans are of the same variety that were brought to American by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower ship in 1620. The Mayflower Community planting is surrounded by a 24” rabbit fence. The beans will grow on bamboo trellis.
On Wednesday, May 5th, The Rev. Eric Schubert, Senior Pastor of the Grinnell United Methodist Church, blessed the beans, observing, “We will give these beans all the help we can. Of course, being planted in the rich Iowa soil is a great headstart.”
With the support of volunteer donations and labor, the plan is to harvest at least 20 pounds of the beans for serving at The Mayflower Community’s 2021 Thanksgiving meal
The project is the brainstorm of resident Leo Lease who has been assisted in coordination and communication by resident Sis Vogel.
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
