tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27511015861755774352024-02-06T23:54:29.774-05:00Schaef Earth GardenPark Slope United Methodist Church,
Brooklyn, NY
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-28879266512334575772021-01-15T17:57:00.043-05:002021-01-25T17:14:39.755-05:00Soil, Plants and People: History of the Schaef Earth Garden<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCkoAdFtZ3sKKJIDcR3ii7yYRcEpn03C5N9zCqeLGO_wTRmqD2BSySHUuXpWlTChL9tNEQZvvkRziRa_g92fWM37Z9Gq_S5iCU1rk-B1o0EgtXQJxWSfVvDdXIAtXIutwAQG1dZwRYoY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCkoAdFtZ3sKKJIDcR3ii7yYRcEpn03C5N9zCqeLGO_wTRmqD2BSySHUuXpWlTChL9tNEQZvvkRziRa_g92fWM37Z9Gq_S5iCU1rk-B1o0EgtXQJxWSfVvDdXIAtXIutwAQG1dZwRYoY/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;" type="cite"><div style="line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">“We must use our time and our space on this little planet that we call Earth <br />to make a lasting contribution, to leave it a little better than we found it.”<br />- John Lewis, 1940-2020</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></blockquote><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="text-align: start;" /></div></div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Shared by Ellen Kirby</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">When I retired in 2007 and moved to Winston-Salem, NC, leaving PSUMC and the church garden w</span><span>ere</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> very difficult</span><span> for me</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">. I spent so many hours working there for over 20 years with wonderful groups of volunteers. It was a respite and an inspiration. </span><span>It was and is a sacred space</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>.</b></span><span> Since the garden started in 1971 there have been several "waves" of volunteers, each offering their time, energy and creativity. For their names, see the sidebar and if you have other names, please send them to me.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I created this blog to provide a channel for communication between volunteers and a way for the wider community to learn about the garden as a significant part of the church's outreach. Nearly 16,000 visits to the blog are recorded by Blogger's analytics, many from other countries.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I am grateful to church Trustee Rickie James, one of the original gardeners, for reviving interest in the garden's history and its ongoing significance for the church. Rev. Melissa Hinneman, the current pastor continues strong support for the garden along with faithful volunteers.<span style="color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></span></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium;">Since</span></span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p>
<p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1971-2021</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Park Slope Methodist Episcopal Church</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> (formerly the Sixth Avenue Methodist Church)</span><span style="background-color: white;"> opene</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">d</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> in<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>1884.</b> The property included<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white;">a large empty lot adjacent to the church</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Led by pastor Rev. Phil West in 1971</span><span style="background-color: white;"> a planning process began after gaining approval from the NY Annual Conference. A group of members moved forward to</span><span style="background-color: white;"> create a garden in the empty lot. Led by church members Monte Clinton and Faithe Davis the group recruited local landscape designer Bob McMahon to implement their plan. Ground was broken in 1972 and an energetic and creative group of volunteers transformed the rubble strewn vacant lot into a beautifully designed and landscaped garden.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">That basic design survives today.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> A large yew shrub and boxwoods from Mt. Vernon are still in their original places. In the original design, railroad ties provided borders and brick paths were laid. The center square of peach trees and boxwoods provided a focal point. When Rev. Finley Schaef became the minister of the church</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> in 1972 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">he continued st</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">rong</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> pastoral support for the garden including the garden's inclusion of composting as an earth saving process.</span></span></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In <b>1984</b> when the original group of volunteers asked for help, I volunteered to lead a new group of volunteers. We started a composting area and used it to dispose of leaves and weeds and invited church members to "bring their kitchen garbage to church" thus creating beautiful new soil to replenish the tired old soil. New plants and trees were planted. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Volunteers learned new gardening skills and tried and tested many different ideas. Through their connections to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, volunteers acquired interesting new plants to add to the design. Many took gardening classes. Notable plants included a Japanese Maple, a Korean viburnum, clematis, hydangeas and many other perennials, along with tulips and daffodils. One October, church members, including children planted many varieties of bulbs and enjoyed the surprise of red and yellow in the Spring. It was a great sight. <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">During this time the four original peach trees died and were replaced with a Japanese white birch, and Japanese Maple. Additional trees were added including a Dogwood Altinofolia and a ‘Red Jade’ weeping crabapple. The crabapple and Japanese Cherry Tree (‘Kwanzan’) flowered beautifully in the spring. A Crape Myrtle replaced the Japanese Cherry when it died.</span></span></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The church members</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> and the community </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">use</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">d</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the garden for </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">congregational </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">coffee hours, meetings, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span>weddings, birthday parties. local </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">AA</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> meetings,</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span> outdoor movie screenings</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> and many other purposes. Amazing lobster dinners were held to raise funds for the church.</span><span style="color: #0c61ab; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> The neighborhood</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Beansprouts Nursery School had its early beginnings in the church and the garden was a major feature that continues to this day. <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Hundred</span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">s</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">of children have spent their formative years in this garden.</span><span style="color: #118dff; font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Certainly this beautiful open space left an indelible memory that w</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">ould</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> last their lifetime. We enlarged the play area with a special surface made of recycled tires. Over the years the rentals from Beansprouts became a major source of funding for the church.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Garden volunteers and members donated many significant additions to the garden in memory of friends and family, including a Colorado Spruce in memory of Monte Clinton’s father, a wonderful wooden bench for Guy D’Angelo who made a major donation to the church, new roses in memory of Ruth Bell by her daughter Delores and a teak bench in memory of Sara Zug by her friends and family.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The garden extended to the street with colorful window boxes on steps leading to the sanctuary, created and cared for by Nancy Crumley. Nancy Wilks filled the gingko tree bed with beautiful yellow daffodils and flowers for spring and summer.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In. <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">1997</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>the garden was named for our beloved minister Rev. Finley Schaef and his wife, Nancy. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rev. Schaef had been the pastor for 25 years and Nancy had been his devoted partner and deeply dedicated church leader. Because of Rev. Schaef's commitment to environmental sustainability and his and Nancy's love for the<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>garden<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> it was named</span> the Schaef Earth Garden.</span><b style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> </b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #094fd1; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1907" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b1DAUZyhcLGBKzZl6HoiGxCzMy3d5rb8KCLPBsW8v-zEcpZ7-4qBGMJauCjkMci331ltefv-EMEr4bKIE0PXZuaqVwkrKFla94fu53sWDjZeqjqeLQxlSfLA9F4p1x8G3OJSNC-ZyDA/w214-h223/IMG_5548.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Finley and Nancy E.K.Schaef<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b1DAUZyhcLGBKzZl6HoiGxCzMy3d5rb8KCLPBsW8v-zEcpZ7-4qBGMJauCjkMci331ltefv-EMEr4bKIE0PXZuaqVwkrKFla94fu53sWDjZeqjqeLQxlSfLA9F4p1x8G3OJSNC-ZyDA/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #094fd1; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">
In <b>2001</b> a signifiant renovation was done with garden volunteers working with Kevin Gerard, local landscape architect. A new wrought iron fence with a center gate replaced the old chainlink one (which included barbed wire at the top). A new amphitheater with brick decking replaced the original railroad ties. </span><p style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One strong memory <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">are the remarks</span> of people who walked by the garden a few day<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">s</span> after the 9/11 terrorist strike on New York City in 2001. As the passersby saw the folks working to rebuild the garden, they <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">spoke</span> of their gratefulness to see something new and positive. Another time a woman who was in the Sunday evening AA group left three beautiful shrubs in the garden. Later I learned that she donated the plants from her own garden due to her appreciation for the chance to sit in the garden before and after meetings.</span></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2007 I retired and moved to North Carolina. Many of the volunteers continued at that time and Nancy Crumley coordinated the work. (to be updated).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><br /></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">In <b>2020</b>, </span><span style="background-color: white;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">he church started another major renovation to make the church more accessible</span><span style="background-color: white;"> from the sanctuary to the garden and the street, as well as the garden into the church building.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> A new entrance, an elevator and new paths were added.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Some plants had to be removed but new ones will be planted. The Trustees and current pastor, Rev. Melissa <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Hinnen</span> have led this effort.</span></span></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Ellen Kirby, January 2021</b></p>
<p style="background-color: white; color: #094fd1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">(<a href="mailto:ellen.kirby@gmail.com"><span style="color: #094fd1;">ellen.kirby@gmail.com</span></a>)</span></p>
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<p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 11px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KuYDVN93guB-yhGBFVSk3aBIeIxY78Qz4UFHgNLEK7v9cdw3DUjilQwfvYF476fcvD42T-LTIQeu33RM8WA-HxYfxB-LxDZsVkat6O1is0dRSXHISGCgSF1Os2R9Ifg_LBLL67yt80k/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36vmyJmjOlvBrgGHHIp3WSw3UVwnR5JYuYUTmZaS3VzkUypZ2EUpr2oqvZkI5cpEqIpml_CGc9X1V_XcmhxiqhMbBf_LnWPVFhmca6GX65GpBkhcS0j2Xs_TOUJhBsJmQkaPbMxxkNIA/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36vmyJmjOlvBrgGHHIp3WSw3UVwnR5JYuYUTmZaS3VzkUypZ2EUpr2oqvZkI5cpEqIpml_CGc9X1V_XcmhxiqhMbBf_LnWPVFhmca6GX65GpBkhcS0j2Xs_TOUJhBsJmQkaPbMxxkNIA/w148-h200/IMG_5549.jpeg" width="148" /></a></h3></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Susan Johnson, Kathy McCullogh and I</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: left;">received an award for the garden from the</div><div style="text-align: left;">Citizens Committee for NYC, 1988</div></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KuYDVN93guB-yhGBFVSk3aBIeIxY78Qz4UFHgNLEK7v9cdw3DUjilQwfvYF476fcvD42T-LTIQeu33RM8WA-HxYfxB-LxDZsVkat6O1is0dRSXHISGCgSF1Os2R9Ifg_LBLL67yt80k/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" type="cite"><div style="line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;"><div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">—<br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div></div></div></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-71974194422269083192020-10-12T09:57:00.003-04:002021-01-15T18:41:31.455-05:00Why this blog<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/3419/335827830343698/1600/IMG_0390.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/3419/335827830343698/320/IMG_0390.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
<div>I've wanted to record the history and meaning of the PSUMC garden for a long time. There are so many stories in a garden and in plants. All the people who've gotten thier hands dirty there, all the many plants and designs mainly based on the patterns of sun and shade. I want to record it all here as thoughts come to mind.
Maybe you have stories to add too. A particular plant, a memory of times in the garden, an area of the garden you managed, people stories....all are part of the life of this garden that needs to be recorded.
Today...Saturday, Nov. 11. We had a workday to primarily plant the bulbs and clean up for winter. I looked at the dogwood tree that seems to be dying. </div>
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<div><strong>Trees in the Garden</strong></div>
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<div>Reminded me of all the trees that have been planted in the garden. With the original design, four peach trees, one on each corner of the berm, were centerpieces of the garden. Eventually they died and other trees were planted. A Whitespire Birch, a Japanese Maple and a Crepe Myrtle still provide shade and beauty. This dying tree is a Cornus altinifolia, common name pagoda dogwood. It's a beautiful tree with unusual flowers, at least for a dogwood. Most people don't know it's a dogwood. It's a native tree and has white flowers that look more like a mimosa flower than the common Cornus florida. Like the florida, altinifolia has been subjected to anthracnose. It one of many beautiful plants donated by Lucy Jones from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden at its plant sale about 25 years ago. We planted it when it was in a two gallon pot. Some people say its the most beautiful specimen of its type in NYC. I hope so much we can save it. It will be a very great loss if it dies. Its a great shade tree too. </div><div>POST NOTE: The tree mentioned soon was cut down sometime after this photo. Ellen Kirby</div><div><br /></div>
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<div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-52285572865259635032009-02-05T13:28:00.005-05:002020-11-23T17:22:39.372-05:00Hydrangea....looking towards summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACFVcAq9vJuSXBkr4BRBAuNesAkCvjbg0pmKGl4asCmFZc9F_Tv8PGA3ZR9kdjn9kv2aJT6TAucdTO2_S2ya1K_n8m-vOhec52guaAIa_ciyrBK0L-a7N7ERD_iZEnNOVfkiF89bflZY/s1600-h/IMG_5137.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299383456290438818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACFVcAq9vJuSXBkr4BRBAuNesAkCvjbg0pmKGl4asCmFZc9F_Tv8PGA3ZR9kdjn9kv2aJT6TAucdTO2_S2ya1K_n8m-vOhec52guaAIa_ciyrBK0L-a7N7ERD_iZEnNOVfkiF89bflZY/s400/IMG_5137.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a>
This Hydrangea Macrophylla started as an "Easter Plant" and was moved three times and divided into three separate plants. It grows like crazy and puts out a multitude of these beautiful flowers for about six weeks in the summer. Seems like we need to remember this during these long, dark, cold days. Spring will come. It always does!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-75579485548617898622009-01-01T16:34:00.000-05:002021-01-14T16:42:58.953-05:00Winter in Our Garden in Brooklyn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A7MQXTNCfwiyHLQeejcPb5pU4ZiIre_oQQrDnD2PhZXdlROZdrc5DyrCf8FFYob3sjJHaoZenZmuKjJtsJ5li09yiQSBKkzVgDUA_39d4EiHi8BMmvXCbKn8ZPZUEX6WLVNFAQb4Nvk/s1600-h/IMG_4555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A7MQXTNCfwiyHLQeejcPb5pU4ZiIre_oQQrDnD2PhZXdlROZdrc5DyrCf8FFYob3sjJHaoZenZmuKjJtsJ5li09yiQSBKkzVgDUA_39d4EiHi8BMmvXCbKn8ZPZUEX6WLVNFAQb4Nvk/s320/IMG_4555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288193997932674354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winter is such a good time to rest in the garden. The soil is hard, the plants are dormant, the bulbs are starting to push up and the wind is roaring. Seed and nursery catalogues become our friends. Sometimes it's nice to read and learn without having to rush outside. Seed sowing can begin now even if you want to do WINTER SOWING (check out kiryplant.blogspot.com if you want details).
Lest we forget, however, the compost still can use a turn once in a while, mulch should be put around all the perennials (to prevent the freeze and thaw that can kill them) and there may be berries that can be cut. January is a great time to feed and watch the birds.</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">What's happening in the winter for all you gardeners. Are you getting spring fever yet? Are you enjoying your "houseplants". Are you beginnning to read your catalogues that seem to jam our mailboxes at this time of the year? Have you started getting your seed sowing plans together?</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">We are getting readers from around the world since we have listed our blog at Blotanical.com Look at the list in the "feeds" below. It's pretty amazing to be part of this worldwide community. At Blotanical.com you can check out all kinds of blogs. Another great way to get your garden "fix" in the winter.</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to go get some hot chocolate.</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ellen</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-81072098174800153412008-10-17T19:50:00.003-04:002009-05-20T23:17:04.222-04:00Harvest compost!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fibGGw61ku88VWaiYtZ8ZKj2MbWqt9O2CDvqKUQBOkOjW-ZnzdPqkDgqdncxt4qYqE4eaSwLG2Hsz91XOd1TVen4WZbocxyNoJsU3N33ivHFL3yKzHlritWHU1HJB8oedP6Px7dHsVk/s1600-h/ny+oct+08+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fibGGw61ku88VWaiYtZ8ZKj2MbWqt9O2CDvqKUQBOkOjW-ZnzdPqkDgqdncxt4qYqE4eaSwLG2Hsz91XOd1TVen4WZbocxyNoJsU3N33ivHFL3yKzHlritWHU1HJB8oedP6Px7dHsVk/s200/ny+oct+08+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258274791264521842" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-21039029100214431942008-10-17T19:49:00.002-04:002008-10-17T19:50:38.293-04:00Lisa with her handy Felco's tackles the Holly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpevyNpZhpiWK6_c_HG5p9jc6-s2h5htf0-GDEXiqkmkwjzJYLrvy7UsQWENy681_M5kRxv4daaDQLh4yAacBmWBvPgFHojipSI1XRGabn_VheRdNsl8wahD5R8HasXAAcEyb5PsXJ6U/s1600-h/ny+oct+08+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpevyNpZhpiWK6_c_HG5p9jc6-s2h5htf0-GDEXiqkmkwjzJYLrvy7UsQWENy681_M5kRxv4daaDQLh4yAacBmWBvPgFHojipSI1XRGabn_VheRdNsl8wahD5R8HasXAAcEyb5PsXJ6U/s200/ny+oct+08+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258274475678868562" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-52105267740276787272008-10-17T19:47:00.003-04:002009-05-20T23:17:34.052-04:00Photos from the Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizl_LeJNdjk6124uwQ_S52JhQEnKnP3Wz5td3M5EFd2LZNcQmtznuDjkhoQ7hItIa7vCGXi_YsIbEErgcDgT5vxPUP_l98jkP3tBCkzDOJlXrUnWx7ffrxG9xQlWpXFB4aVCuF1tNkRbQ/s1600-h/ny+oct+08+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizl_LeJNdjk6124uwQ_S52JhQEnKnP3Wz5td3M5EFd2LZNcQmtznuDjkhoQ7hItIa7vCGXi_YsIbEErgcDgT5vxPUP_l98jkP3tBCkzDOJlXrUnWx7ffrxG9xQlWpXFB4aVCuF1tNkRbQ/s200/ny+oct+08+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258273986570436658" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-90923512502161702522008-10-17T19:43:00.005-04:002009-05-20T23:17:58.579-04:00Spontaneous work day in the garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXpIrSU_VKJPoYjjVumHB4wVjLzlT8CuTB5lnwLwdMQxRKNFmA1GjHEqFRr62dzlzzUeGS3xytzrJtVf9gXcqzw4RW-bPykgKHw_pnurVd0iqueIW4mILV9tg7YBJg_LpyAZeJQb6Zdg/s1600-h/ny+oct+08+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXpIrSU_VKJPoYjjVumHB4wVjLzlT8CuTB5lnwLwdMQxRKNFmA1GjHEqFRr62dzlzzUeGS3xytzrJtVf9gXcqzw4RW-bPykgKHw_pnurVd0iqueIW4mILV9tg7YBJg_LpyAZeJQb6Zdg/s200/ny+oct+08+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258273657115585074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few of us gathered on the spur of the moment. Lisa pruned the holly, Susan harvested compost and Ellen just hung out and took these photos. Nancy cheered us on while scurrying to do her chores. I thought the garden looked fabulous. It looks very vibrant and some of the color combinations are stunning. Here are a few shots from the day.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-39320060609320329582008-07-20T19:32:00.015-04:002009-01-28T13:17:44.973-05:00A Few Photos Taken Today<span style="font-weight: bold;">We are suffering a heat wave, but the garden is holding up nobly. I have a new digital camera -- yay! I would have taken more pictures but it was a bit too sunny.</span><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Plantings & containers in the area where Pagoda Dogwood used to be:</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9qbJrEqA6CAU8bfecyXwUep1qA58HKz4Ae67f79oKp_R6ZK1-Rh80ErI3Zj-4lx_65YHhM6iW6aqIi3uKpmMrMOHLdQHFuPNfPc5f0ML8pBjaSjxbzXLyKjX1jVPkjKnCkGzVmmu_qba/s1600-h/DSCN0159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9qbJrEqA6CAU8bfecyXwUep1qA58HKz4Ae67f79oKp_R6ZK1-Rh80ErI3Zj-4lx_65YHhM6iW6aqIi3uKpmMrMOHLdQHFuPNfPc5f0ML8pBjaSjxbzXLyKjX1jVPkjKnCkGzVmmu_qba/s320/DSCN0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225243986058913666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Echinacea (purple coneflower): </em><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1Xbd3VKmNii_bNSo2o6HCnYZBqCbDMSGRBHBBdVKrOmqWzQ3ARiErXagqao3DugQ-wqhLnwLapmQneWeBZZT5W4VfG_8FI30v9eB1XZeVQtG8rLk_Ik0zZIhNRsbsjQjzQxNprUTTBck/s1600-h/DSCN0160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1Xbd3VKmNii_bNSo2o6HCnYZBqCbDMSGRBHBBdVKrOmqWzQ3ARiErXagqao3DugQ-wqhLnwLapmQneWeBZZT5W4VfG_8FI30v9eB1XZeVQtG8rLk_Ik0zZIhNRsbsjQjzQxNprUTTBck/s320/DSCN0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225245233510206898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Nicotiana and cosmos, with tiger lilies from Linda Mandracchia's garden in the background:</em><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUMTsNj9mBJLSTf6pL510JMkJ1uSzNe0B3ejflWmZYS3MgLhCT25f3sZzsAh1XZ-zsUGzTk6cgjLAyOwncdHowOil5O9x_6GCzBCZJnFv0bmlZi97mOSEz_xheLIY09iz40Zz5pt3sahc/s1600-h/DSCN0161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUMTsNj9mBJLSTf6pL510JMkJ1uSzNe0B3ejflWmZYS3MgLhCT25f3sZzsAh1XZ-zsUGzTk6cgjLAyOwncdHowOil5O9x_6GCzBCZJnFv0bmlZi97mOSEz_xheLIY09iz40Zz5pt3sahc/s320/DSCN0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225245787980130194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Front steps:</em><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWLAKjY6Qp31GHC9_CVEFiezd4pULBeT8A6k_A7_vyx8Jca1bLx9WAD-sUzpo46RxCxkl8DnEg35OLoj4h_4eqUSTKnuWDLLV1tnGjrRlBjJKdc0rQ0bCcYQaAXasbzFNTk-dDegQKMUC/s1600-h/DSCN0157.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWLAKjY6Qp31GHC9_CVEFiezd4pULBeT8A6k_A7_vyx8Jca1bLx9WAD-sUzpo46RxCxkl8DnEg35OLoj4h_4eqUSTKnuWDLLV1tnGjrRlBjJKdc0rQ0bCcYQaAXasbzFNTk-dDegQKMUC/s320/DSCN0157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225245456705604962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Front steps:</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVIU00Hn-Csy3tq7PDHu7zNnLYDcYmUcGrTSD3WclEficniPkjhCgNElWnCKyJDO4GLLRrFwPCGSQvTfY1JTAwRii69gnLA9X8fegm4L9a8w9K8XUsDG0ZEwnLqXZJzLxluZXNjwtPSYO/s1600-h/DSCN0154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVIU00Hn-Csy3tq7PDHu7zNnLYDcYmUcGrTSD3WclEficniPkjhCgNElWnCKyJDO4GLLRrFwPCGSQvTfY1JTAwRii69gnLA9X8fegm4L9a8w9K8XUsDG0ZEwnLqXZJzLxluZXNjwtPSYO/s320/DSCN0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225244878733810258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">Nicole, watering:</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCK7KzeCnXRH8C6xX4cswwsrEsu7-D6JpOZjR-WbSDTRCaTwEq6VogyYlmZKy8TtYVPGLYV-PVISG1cib_81G0NXCft9irvnm1z5d-YjfEWspDC8wv6PCCmuaYRRZEOymFcHUVRkRLEI-/s1600-h/DSCN0158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCK7KzeCnXRH8C6xX4cswwsrEsu7-D6JpOZjR-WbSDTRCaTwEq6VogyYlmZKy8TtYVPGLYV-PVISG1cib_81G0NXCft9irvnm1z5d-YjfEWspDC8wv6PCCmuaYRRZEOymFcHUVRkRLEI-/s200/DSCN0158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225247515614537154" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-48523982539612420792008-06-24T23:22:00.004-04:002008-08-08T10:05:17.278-04:00Hi GardenersHey all,<br /><br />This past Sunday I managed to get to the garden. I saw Susan there. I chucked that rotting Xmas wreath that was flung under a tree. I also repaired the little picket fence that had been broken in many places. It was great to do some work there and the garden was looking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">soooooo</span> beautiful!!! Wow. Especially those <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">barrels with all that colorful gorgeousness. When are the next work days? Or when one of you plans to go over for a while, maybe you can let me know so I can work, too. I don't have a key as of yet, though it's just a matter of meeting up with Nancy at some point. You can call me at 718 633 0059. Happy Summer!</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-13522242984690751472008-05-14T10:00:00.000-04:002008-12-12T03:36:28.875-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-h6BIEgjRZLt69-jYxDWM3wqhDS5xIVKU7TsQC3nb8O1U5Ri2HC3q308RNI0f4jXgKDCj3THbMVMMH6RoDFXl-x1p1gC6EUxHXO7LpTrgbIVrhcppQb6XqWFut6vQel1QtZ4nq7MlNg/s1600-h/psumc.garden.july14.07+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200233607338057650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-h6BIEgjRZLt69-jYxDWM3wqhDS5xIVKU7TsQC3nb8O1U5Ri2HC3q308RNI0f4jXgKDCj3THbMVMMH6RoDFXl-x1p1gC6EUxHXO7LpTrgbIVrhcppQb6XqWFut6vQel1QtZ4nq7MlNg/s320/psumc.garden.july14.07+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-18082362230476694652008-05-11T08:03:00.005-04:002008-05-12T21:29:06.844-04:00May Work DayIt was a perfect day to work in the garden, following a day of rain.<br /><br />We had plenty to do. We had gotten lots of inexpensive plants through the Council on the Environment -- flats of impatiens, dusty miller, portulaca, marigolds and cosmos as well as perennials including Echinacea, Rudbekia, English Lavender, Russian Sage and Vinca minor -- (thank you, Nancy Wilks, for coordinating this!) as well as some lovely goodies from the BBG Plant Sale.<br /><br />Major projects for the day included:<br />- Naoko worked on the "trample path" in the mound area. After loosening the soil and adding compost, she transplanted unwanted asters from the rose bed, and then planted a carpet of dusty miller and impatiens. We hope this will give the message that this area is actually a bed and not a path!<br />- Nancy C. planted the barrels with a pink, magenta & purple assortment of annuals including lobelia, dianthus, verbena and more<br />- Lisa, as usual, worked in many areas and was such a whirlwind of productivity that I can't list it all. And, she pruned the forsythia and the euonymous.<br />- Susan J. harvested compost and worked on the front of the rose bed, moving the rudbekia and replacing it with two lavender plants and portulaca.<br />- Nancy Y. planted the Chimney Pipe containers with the beautiful dahlias she'd gotten at the BBG sale, and worked on several of the other front containers too. We are delighted that her larkspur has re-seeded itself and is growing lushly in one of the containers! The pansies and violas are still thriving, and we will leave them be 'til the temperatures rise<br />- Beverly did a lot of work in her bed, planting annuals, and redesigning some of the perennial plantings. She planted a rudbekia. We all agree that one can never have enough black-eyed Susans!<br />- Nancy W. worked on the tree beds and gave them plenty of mulch. She also planted seeds in the previously-neglected 8th Street tree beds.<br />- Nancy C. planted vinca minor (also known as myrtle and periwinkle) in the area west of Sara's bench, and we placed fencing all around this area. We really hope the kids will refrain from using this area and that the vines will "take".<br />- we installed some wooden picket fencing (an impulse buy this morning at Lowe's) on the south side of the center mound area. It looks good but is way too flimsy and needs serious reinforcement.<br /><br />A great day. We got a LOT done but still have a lot to do, such as weeding! We have a bunch of annuals still to plant, and have to make decisions on our remaining perennials (two echinacea; a Scottish heather plant from the BBG Plant Sale, and the Judy Zuk magnolia that Nancy & Beverly got at the BBG Plant Sale).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-59333562149166121212008-04-12T19:23:00.002-04:002008-04-12T19:32:09.651-04:00April Garden Work Day!Lots of lovely bulbs are coming up in the Schaef Earth Garden: crocuses beneath the birch tree, daffodils in the tree pits and along the Sixth Avenue fence, peacock tulips in the whiskey barrels, hyacinths, and many, many others. The forsythia is blooming, the weeping crabapple is budding, and everything else is poised and ready to sing.<br /><br />Today, Lisa did a tremendous amount of pruning, raking and other clean-up (Lisa, it looked like you filled at least 6 trash bags! Wow!); Nancy W. worked studiously in her tree pits, tending the soil and planting deep purple pansies; and Beverly, Nancy C. & Susan J. planted pansies, violas and primroses here, there and everywhere. <br /><br />A beautiful day in our peaceful garden! We're excited about how splendid it will look by April 27th -- Earth Sunday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-1583439094800320622008-02-03T12:45:00.000-05:002009-05-20T23:15:24.797-04:00Composting Shut Down TemporarilyOur compost pile is overloaded! We have several bins and they are all filled to the top. Our church members are amazing and generous. However, the pile itself slows down in winter and that, with the addition of increasing participation require we give it a rest awhile. As soon as the weather warms up, we will announce that things are back to normal. Keep posted!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-72304855317644392832007-09-22T17:07:00.000-04:002007-09-22T17:23:29.868-04:00Fall in the GardenFall and Winter in the Garden<br /><br />In addition to the blessing of the animals, there are many unique things going on. Surprisingly, many plants will continue blooming right up to the first frost. I've seen flowers blooming as late as Thanksgiving. Having said that the main act in the fall, is of course, the leaves.<br /><br />The leaf color is really spectacular in the PSUMC garden. I like the birch the best with it's bright yellow....will miss the dogwood. The Japanese maple is also one to watch as it turns from green to red or yellow. And the street trees (ginkos) are a fabulous yellow. I remember looking out the window from Camp Friendship during the Hollyberry Fair and being struck by the beauty from the vantage point in the back. Many of the small plants have beautiful leaf color as well. The changing to the fall orange and reds is not limited to the trees. Hostas are especially remarkable.<br /><br />Bulb planting is a great task in delayed gratification. It's a good one for kids as bulbs are easy to handle and easy to plant if adults dig the holes. <br /><br />Raking the leaves for the compost is a great effort in recycling. All those bagged leaves can be used year long to add the needed nitrogen to the bins which are usually over filled with fresh kitchen waste, most of which is nitrogen rich. To make good compost you have to have both.<br /><br />When winter comes the yew makes fabulous greens for decorating. It's also a good way to prune it and the holly. Other leaves in the gardens (and rose hips) make beautiful decorations.<br /><br />Finally, it's just nice to observe the garden going to rest while we rest from gardening for awhile. Theres' a lot happening underground but at least our interaction with the garden is more reflective, less physical. <br /><br /> EllenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-84916518686043760692007-09-20T18:12:00.000-04:002007-09-20T18:14:52.484-04:00The YewIn the past couple of weeks I've noticed lots of lovely red berries on the yew. Is this a new phenomenon? Or is it just that I never noticed them before? I absolutely love the look of berries in autumn and winter, and would like to find some additional berry-producing plants/shrubs for our garden. Any ideas?<br />Nancy C.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-74834715949184774342007-09-16T15:46:00.000-04:002007-09-16T15:52:13.897-04:00Plant Stories and InfoThe birch tree (left on mound) was planted about 15 years ago. It was chosen because it is a Japanese Whitespire Birch and is most resistant to disease of the birches. Birches are known for their beauty, tall, graceful, beautiful white trunk, good fall color. It was bought for $60 from BBG as it was a display plant in the conservatory for an early spring event. It took four people to carry it into the garden. It was planted by Tim Smith and his brother Geoff with Ellen dircting. They sang old Canadian camp songs while they planted it. It was dedicated after it was planted in a Sunday worship service. Lucy Jones had the idea we should have a birch there. It has thrived in the garden. PS Ellen got a parking ticket while it was planted and tried to convince the policeman that planting a tree was worth voiding a ticket. No dice.<br /><br />Other plant stories? Post if you will. EllenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-79445218982281981222007-09-11T21:25:00.000-04:002007-09-11T21:30:40.504-04:00History of the Garden<br /><br />This is wonderful - Thanks! The lilies, hostas, big purple coneflower, peonie and sedum that Nancy and I translplanted from Linda Mandrachia's back yard in the last week of August seem to be taking hold and with some more water last Sunday and this downpour today, they should be great - the wild and twisty cosmos are finally blooming too- Zoezoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584664207255007354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-15476447736985098742007-09-11T09:43:00.000-04:002007-09-11T11:12:50.035-04:00How to PostI'm not sure if I explained well enough How to Post. There should be an option at the top right of your screen with your email address and "post". Just key on that and a box will pop up. Put your subject at the top and delete History in the writing box. I can't seem to get that off. Try it!<br /><br /><br /><br />EllenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2751101586175577435.post-68696212793359303982007-09-10T22:45:00.000-04:002007-09-10T22:47:50.654-04:00History of the Garden<br />(I posted this as a comment but now am posting it as a post. I think. We are all just learning how to do this)<br /><br />Wow, this is fantastic! Well, there is a lot to say about the garden this summer. Where to begin?! One important development is the new iron fence, which is very beautiful, has a large center gate, and entices passerbys to feast their eyes on our haven of resplendent beauty. No more barbed wire!!<br /><br />Dave and Joann did a heroic job of removing the large vine that was growing on the old fence. We (mostly Lisa!) then did a lot of work on the area along the new fence line. We worked peat & compost into the soil and then Lisa dug up a bunch of lirope plants from her garden, which we schlepped over and planted just inside the new fence. They love this shady area and are absolutely thriving! Thank you, Lisa!!<br /><br />Lisa, Alba and I took a trip to Shannon Nursery, where Lisa purchased two rudbekia plants (black-eyed Susans) and a euonymous, and also a rhododenron (this might have been two separate Shannon sojourns, I don't quite recall). And Alba purchased a lovely clematis. The rhododenron and clematis are just inside the fence as you go down the steps. The rudebekia and euonymous are interspersed with the re-planted hostas in the area along 6th Ave.<br /><br />Finally, we planted some bright impatiens in the corners (pink in the south and red in the north), and planted about 10 caladium ("elephant ears") that we were grateful to receive from our friends at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Fabulous! Some critters have been chomping on the caladium, but about half of them are still intact and they look lovely.<br /><br />That's it for the moment, but stay tuned for more. Ellen, thank you for setting this up! This is going to be a wonderful communication tool for us. Now we have to figure out how to get Lisa's photos in!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2