Graham stop, Williamsburg, circa 2005. My mid-20s Brooklyn newbie roommates and I had a garden in our backyard, and we grew tomatoes, sunflowers, peppers and zucchini. But after one of our zucchinis grew to be three feet long*, we started to wonder whether our dirt was actually safe enough to grow anything. Maybe we should have thought about that before we planted. So before you buy any seedlings to get your summer garden going, you should probably find out whether your soil is home to a family of toxic chemicals. This Saturday (4/22) from 10am–2pm you can get your soil tested for free at the Greenpoint Reform Church (136 Milton Street), and NAG (Neighbors Allied For Good Growth) is hosting free soil testing workshops for three upcoming weekends. Here’s the schedule: Continue reading →
This weekend, on Saturday December 3rd from 10am–1pm, you can help beautify the existing park land with flowers! With generous assistance from Partnerships for Parks (who will be providing bulbs and guidance), Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park together with the community will seed the continued park activation process by planting daffodil bulbs on park grounds. Folks will assemble at the BIP community building located on Kent Ave at N. 9th Street in Williamsburg. Gloves and tools will be provided. Please dress for the weather and encountering dirt.
After 10 years in the neighborhood, local landscape design and plant shop Vert Gardens (193 Banker Street) is in the process of moving to the Navy Yards. Before they officially close, they’ll be having two more plant sales, one this weekend on Saturday October 8th (10am-4pm) and the last on October 22 (10am-4pm). From Vert: “We’re definitely going to miss Greenpoint, and if you’re in the area, come see us at our new location.” Their new spot is at 72 Flushing Ave.
Want to be a tree steward? Well, your time has come! This Saturday, October 18th between 10 am and 1 pm, join the 61 Franklin Street Community Garden and together you can make Greenpoint a little greener.
Ask any gardener and they will tell you Autumn is the perfect time to get into the garden and put things into the ground. As the cold air moves in, plants go dormant, and quietly over the winter these little plants work on growing strong roots so that come springtime we can sit back and admire their precious blooms.
In an effort to keep Greenpoint’s trees and root systems happy for years to come, the Franklin Street Community Garden is freshening up tree beds around the area by planting daffodils. Not only will Greenpoint’s trees thank you for it, but come springtime the streets will be bursting with bright yellow flowers. It almost enough to make you forget that winter is coming! Continue reading →
We are taking our Terrarium Class to Williamsburg on May 4th from 3-5pm at Passenger Bar (229 Roebling St). Our lovely and talented teacher Claire will show you how to create a miniature living kingdom. Spruce up your dark and lonely apartment with plants that are actually very easy to care for. $60, includes all materials PLUS a FREE beer! Reserve your terrarium now.
Nothing feels more like Spring than fresh herbs from your garden. Plant some basil for summer pesto or sage to season your roasted chicken!
This Sunday our Terrarium guru Claire is switching things up and we are hosting a DIY Herb Planting & Pot Decorating Class during our Spring Market on Sunday 4/13/14 at 1:30pm. You will get the chance to not only plant a mini herb garden but also embellish your planter and remind yourself what is was you planted in there and how to care for it!
Next Greenpointers Terrarium Class at Diamond (3/16)
It’s time to get ready for Spring (we promise it will eventually come and it will be glorious!) Spruce up your dark and tiny apartment with a bright and happy living terrarium. And if you suck at plants, don’t worry terrariums are super easy NOT to kill. Continue reading →
We are offering two GIFT TERRARIUM workshops with Claire in the loft during our Holiday Market on 12/8/13. Learn to create gorgeous woodland plants terrariums and take home two gift sized mason jar terrariums. A gift for a friend and one to keep! Self-giving is very important during the crazy holiday time and terrariums are gifts that keep on giving!
*$45, Includes plants, materials and beer! (Space is limited.)
Join friends at The One Well (165 Greenpoint Ave) this Saturday September 21, 2013 from 2-5pm for Seed, Petal, Color, an interactive workshop covering the life cycle from seed to flower to natural dye! Learn to process color from nature and bring home your own hand-dyed silk scarf.
Right around this time last year, we interviewed Annie Novak, author of The Rooftop Growing Guide: How to Transform Your Roof into a Garden or Farm and head farmer at Greenpoint’s own Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. At the Greenpoint Library (107 Norman Ave.) this Thursday night, you can get a virtual tour from Annie and learn more about how you can turn your out-of-sight space a functioning garden. And even if you don’t have a rooftop and just want get started with some practical gardening tips, this talk will give you the tools you need to “get growing!”
