November 17, 2009

StreetLevel: Gardening Supply Store Opening on Hicks

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A gardening supply store called Brooklyn Farms is coming to the corner of Hicks and Degraw. A neighbor says workers have been busy fixing the space up and that it's slated to open soon. GMAP

September 29, 2009

Closing Bell: Truck/Plant Beds

The truck farm got boatloads of press coverage this summer as one of the local interest stories of note. It's still nice to bike around and see it parked here and there (this time on 4th Avenue in Park Slope). It looks like their tomatoes did quite well (no, that's not a euphemism for anything).

July 23, 2009

Prospect Heights Garden Build: Laying the Groundwork

Here's the July progress report from landscape architect (and recent Brooklyn Building Awards winner) Joanna Pertz's remake of a brownstone garden in Prospect Heights:

It is the time now when the bones of the garden are set into place. It can be unsettling because the whole space changes, but if it right, it is very exciting. We still have the fence to go but I think we are on to something…it feels good!

The deck framing is in and so is the stair. In the garden the warm rusty planters have set the clear lines of the raised planting beds and begun to inscribe the mound that will lift the middle of the garden. These lines will be softened when the mound and bedding soil bury half of these steel planters.The garden feels larger as space is given to distinct activities and yet still flows between them.

The stairs are wide (4’-6”) with deep treads a full 13” and a 7-1/4” rise per step. It feels like you float down this stair to the garden. The underside of the deck feels spacious at 9’-4” and in the rear beyond the planters it feels like an additional garden that was just added to the yard.

The broad stair sets you on a bowed oval field. The mound returns to the ground at a gravel clearing. The clearing sits under the large oak and is punctuated by a cast concrete pedestal that will be piped as a fountain. A path extends behind the mature magnolia into an airy woodland of fern and statuary black snakeroot. The wide spaces between the fence planks extends your view beyond the limits of the garden. I asked in my first entry what is sexy as I searched for a design. I believe we are getting close.
Prospect Heights Garden Build: The Design [Brownstoner]
Prospect Heights Garden Build: Setting the Stage [Brownstoner]

July 21, 2009

Help from the Feds for Community Gardens?

Via a tweet from @xrisfg (aka Flatbush Gardener), news of a new bill introduced last week in Congress called the Community Gardens Act of 2009. Proposed by Jay Inslee of Washington State, the bill's primary purpose is to "establish community gardens to enhance the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions." If passed, the bill would enable community members to apply for federal money to acquire property, construct a garden or pay for operations. Shovel-ready!

June 24, 2009

Try This Green(point) Roof on for Size

How cool is this: Husband-and-wife green roof architects Chris and Lisa Goode starting planning this rooftop garden atop a warehouse in Greenpoint last December, enlisting the help of an aspiring urban farmer and a planting specialist from the New York Botanical Garden along the way. And so far the results are very encouraging, according to an article this week from New York Magazine. Corn, radishes, lettuce and peppers have all been planted, and the yield thus far is being snapped up by such locavore-friendly restaurants like Marlow & Sons and Anella. Great stuff.
This Is a Roof [New York Magazine]
Photo by Lucas Foglia

June 17, 2009

Closing Bell: Inside the Ft. Greene Garden Walk

Did you miss the Fort Greene Garden Walk this past weekend? No worries; Finstr on Flickr took some photos of the walk and captured some of the gorgeous gardens. Check out the set here, especially if you need some ideas for your garden.

June 5, 2009

Prospect Heights Garden Build: The Design

Landscape designer Joanna Pertz continues to document a new garden project in Prospect Heights. You can view the first post here.
When I look at a space I think of the Geometry first, then the Program (or what the family wants to do in the space) second and finally what Plants will thrive. I roll through these criteria again and again as I develop a design. Soon I will fix on a specific material that I want to see in the space and never forget the budget that I must work within.

The geometry:
The shape of this garden is a challenge. It's like a railroad apartment, rooms are interrupted by circulation space and neither feels open. The right geometry will inspire you or your eye to move thru the space, experience a change and have a place to rest. Curving paths in small gardens are tempting and tricky- they are often too busy and do not embrace the size of the garden and how many curves it can hold. I recommend one or two wide curves, if any. This design will try and get away from having a real path by blurring the line between planting and path.and creating rooms with fluid circulation by introducing topography. I am proposing a planted mound to offer a strong change in the ground plan and bring the garden abit closer to the deck above. I want to bring movement as well as a unifying architectural element into the space, this element will be a wide horizintial board fence, like ribbons, built on site.

Continue reading "Prospect Heights Garden Build: The Design"

May 28, 2009

The PLG House & Garden Tour is This Weekend

Fenimore Street Garden, recipient of 2006 award from Assoc. of Professional Landscape designers (By Jennifer Rish)

The 39th Annual Prospect Lefferts Gardens House and Garden tour will happen this Sunday, May 31st, from noon until 5 p.m. According to the organizers, the tour will include 11 stops ranging from "a 1905 brick home where 'urban archaeology' has revealed original beauty beneath a century of paint and various remodeling; restoration/rejuvenation is given an exotic twist by adding ancient Moroccan, Portuguese, and Turkish accents" to "the eco-friendly renovation of a two-family 1910-11 home, with an abundance of stained and slag glass, maintains its historic detail while providing an open, airy and contemporary feel." The photos above give a taste of some of the tour's stops. Tickets cost $20 if you buy them in advance and $25 day-of; tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at K-Dog & Dunebuggy at 43 Lincoln Road, which is also the event's starting point. Tour proceeds will benefit the Lefferts Manor Association. More info is available by calling 718.284.6210 or 718.462.0024.

May 22, 2009

Prospect Heights Garden Build: Setting the Stage

Over the next few weeks, Dumbo-based landscape designer Joanna Pertz, a Park Slope native and Fort Greene resident, will walk us through a current project of hers in Prospect Heights from beginning to end. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section.

A couple of weeks ago I received a wonderful email from a woman in Prospect Heights. She said she was thrilled to have found someone on the web whose work spoke to her aesthetic. She also went to RISD and asked how soon I could come over. It was already March and I knew between the baby she was about to have and the coming spring I needed to get moving.

I always start a design meeting by asking three questions: What do you love about your garden? What do you hate? If you close your eyes and imagine yourself in your ideal garden, what are you doing and what do you see? I close by asking whether there are any plants that must be in this garden. There were two.

In this case, the house has just been renovated...

Continue reading "Prospect Heights Garden Build: Setting the Stage"

May 19, 2009

Garden Makeover in Carroll Gardens

Here's a homegrown story with a happy ending. A reader whose yard looked like the before shot (at right) complete with pool, when he purchased it wanted a slightly different look so he turned to Chuck Dorr of Dig Gardens on Atlantic Avenue, whom he found on a Brownstoner thread. "I already can see the angry posts about 'why on earth did you ruin the nice pool and put in a damn garden!'," writes the reader, "but I can handle it."

May 15, 2009

Backyard Reno Unveils Old Well in Fort Greene

This just in from a reader:

We are in the midst of a renovation of our brownstone in Ft. Greene and made a fascinating discovery in our backyard. The contractors were digging a hole to pour the footings for an extension and new deck and they stumbled across the opening of an old well. The well was below what used to be a blue stone patio and the opening was under about 2 feet of dirt. The well is approximately 8 to 10 feet deep and is made of stone. I'd like to get readers' opinions about the use of and history of wells in Brownstone Brooklyn. Also, I'd like to get readers' suggestions about what I should do with it. I am sure my contractor will suggest that we fill it in and keep building, but I am interested in hearing ideas about preserving the well or maybe some creative way of incorporating it into our backyard or renovation. I'd hate to just cover it up because it's a pretty cool discovery.

Cool indeed! Any ideas? Check out another close-up photo on the jump.

Continue reading "Backyard Reno Unveils Old Well in Fort Greene"

May 14, 2009

Brooklyn Ground Zero for Lead Soil Problems

Gardens of houses built before 1978 (when lead-based paint was banned) are likely to contain soil with excessive levels of lead, according to an article in today's New York Times, which means that most Brooklynites with access to a back yard have some work to do. Frank Meuschke, an artist living in a rented house in Brooklyn, had his soil tested at Brooklyn College for $12 and found that it contained nine times the normal amount of lead. The health implications go beyond whether it's safe to eat a tomato from your garden-- Gabriel Filippelli, a professor of earth science at Indiana University-Purdue University has shown a direct correlation between lead levels in people’s blood and how much lead is in the soil where they live. Approaches to dealing with the problem include replacing the soil altogether to putting down sod to mixing in compost and lime. What approaches have readers used?

May 13, 2009

Farragut Houses Getting Greenery, Bike Lanes

On the way to the office yesterday, we passed these trees being delivered to the Farragut Houses in Vinegar Hill. The delivery men told us they were for the grounds of complex; a little digging revealed that this is part of a larger initiative among DOT, the Tenants Association, Council Member James and Reverend Taylor to modify the surrounding streets of Sands, Navy and Gold with medians, bike lanes and trees.

May 7, 2009

Closing Bell: Dig. Share. Dig

The Brownstone Brooklyn Garden District will host its first annual "Dig. Share. Dig" this Saturday, May 9th. Do some "recession gardening" and increase your plant variety without draining your budget. BBGD invites you to share with other local gardeners what is happy in your garden, what needs dividing, and what you need to give away. The exchange starts at 12 p.m. at the Monument in Fort Greene Park. Have no fear if you can't make it this Saturday; another exchange is scheduled for May 16th.
Photo of the Monument by flickr4jazz.

May 1, 2009

Community Garden Spotlight: Summit Street Garden

We have exactly been deluged with community garden submissions since we asked for them last week. A fun one did roll in yesterday though: The Summit Street Community Garden. Located at the corner of Summit and Columbia Streets in Red Hook, the garden was established in 1994 through the efforts of many people in the community, who literally dragged toilets, old tires and trash out of several adjoining abandoned lots; it's now run in partnership with the New York City Parks Department and Green Thumb. From the looks of this photo, it attracts a lot of visitors too! Lots more photos on the garden's Flickr page.

April 29, 2009

Cherry Blossoms Galore in Green-Wood

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden isn't the only public space in Brooklyn for enjoying the early-blooming cherry blossoms this year: Green-Wood Cemetery sent out an e-blast yesterday touting the particularly scenic landscape at the 478-acre spread. Not only that, but admission is free every day! Call 718.768.7300 for more info.

April 28, 2009

Cherry Blossoms On a Roll

According to the latest Twitter post from @bklynbotanic, the recent heat wave has brought out the cherry blossoms slightly ahead of schedule. If you're fortunate enough to have some time off today, you might want to take advantage of Free Tuesdays at BBG.

April 22, 2009

Brownstone Brooklyn Garden Tour Needs More Gardens

The Brooklyn Brownstone Garden Tour, taking place on June 14th, is still looking for a few good gardens to feature. If you have a garden in Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill or Fort Greene that you think would be a good fit (and that doesn't mean it has to be professional quality—interesting DIY efforts work too!), please email brownstonebgd@gmail.com. Check out some amazing photos that Flatbush Gardener took in 2007.

April 13, 2009

Closing Bell: Help Create a Butterfly Garden in Carroll Park

PMFA has all the details for the transformation. Friends Of Carroll Park would like to transform this corner of Carroll Park in Carroll Gardens into a butterfly garden but they need the community's help. The weekend of April 18th and 19th will focus on the planning and marking out of beds and paths in the garden. On May 2nd, the planting will take place. Tools are provided so all that is needed is your hard work to make this happen.

December 15, 2008

Garden of the Day: International Flora in the Slope

Got a garden to share? Let us know. And now, a tale of ivies, moss and ferns from 12th Street.

When we purchased our home at the Ansonia Muse Condominium on 12th Street in Park Slope (former home of the Ansonia clock factory) three years ago, our 500 square foot garden had white gravel pathways, a cherry blossom, a struggling Japanese maple and minimal landscaping. Our first and quite challenging task was to remove the gravel paths and lay a slate walkway, creating a garden perimeter with beds that would produce color throughout the year. Along the brick walls we planted both English ivy, which remains green in the winter, and Boston ivy, which has glossy, dark green leaves that turn vivid shades of gold and red in the fall. Both varieties have done exceptionally well and add color to the garden year round. Additionally, we planted a few evergreens and some perennials, including hydrangea, rhododendron and along the shaded brick wall a few varieties of hostas and ferns. Between the slabs of blue slate we planted creeping thyme and both Scotch and Irish moss to soften the walkway and add visual interest. We transplanted the struggling Japanese maple, which is now thriving with proper pruning and care.

A variety of bulbs from a trip to Amsterdam were planted in a garden bed along the wooden fence and have consistently returned each year. The cherry blossom produces a beautiful, fuchsia bloom each May and the spring garden is finished off with window boxes on the two first floor windows. Each summer and fall, we plant a variety of annuals for additional color and interest, most of which are in containers due to a lack of ground space. This past summer we were successful in growing herbs, tomatoes and bell peppers in containers as well. Our ongoing goal has been to create an outdoor space that is an extension of our living room which showcases the changing of the seasons.

Previous gardens on the jump.

Continue reading "Garden of the Day: International Flora in the Slope"

December 11, 2008

Garden of the Day: King of Dirt in Bburg

Upper seating area

If you've got a garden or an interior or any cool architectural project you'd like to share, send us a note. And now, a TV-worthy Williamsburg garden:

We purchased our townhouse in Williamsburg in 2004 and the yard was literally the last thing on our mind. First off the ground floor of the building was being squatted in so we didn’t even have access to the yard for the first 10 months while we were in and out of court battling our illegal tenants. Once we got access to the yard and the bottom portion of our house we got to work on reinforcing the frame of the house with steel and gutting the entire interior to make a triplex for ourselves in the cellar, basement and first floor and two rental apartments on the top two stories. Again the yard was an afterthought and mostly was used as a dumping ground for our GC during the renovation.

We wrapped up our interior renovations and got our permits and CO squared away in April of this year and finally started thinking about what to do with the pile of dirt and rocks out in our yard. The issue was that we had completely depleted our bank accounts with the renovation and had little to no money left for the yard. We also had a healthy distrust for contractors in general after the ringer we went through with the series of clowns we mistakenly hired. We were very skeptical of hiring someone else so we chose we wait the summer out and spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect person to work with at the right price.

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December 3, 2008

Garden of the Day: Bearing Fruit in Bed Stuy

Before

Got a garden space you want to share? Send us a note. And now, your very own DIBS presents his deck and garden project. I purchased the brownstone in Bed Stuy in May of 2007 and began work on the deck and yard in the fall. I used recommendations found here on brownstoner and Susan from Sketch and Hammer did a wonderful job on the deck along with her iron man Manny. Chuck Dorr from Dig and his crew did the yard. I was suspect of Chuck and his crew as they were the first group of contractors I've ever hired who listened to NPR while they were working! Both the deck and the yard turned out fine and although both were on the expensive side I'd heartily recommend both of them.

The yard was your standard 40' X 20' overgrown mess with a concrete slab off the back of the house. They removed all the debris and, as per my design, installed the pebble walk, the fountain and, in the spring, finished the plantings. There was a beautiful fruit-bearing golden delicious apple tree in the middle of the yard and I had that moved to the side. because of the move it did not bear fruit this year but I'm hopeful for next year. There was a 40' catalpa tree in the back left corner which stayed but I susequently had it taken down as the mess from the pods was just too much to deal with. Although I hated to take down a perfectly fine tree you can't understand the extent of the pod problem unless you have one.

The plantings are: a few hydrangeas, an original rose, rhododendrons, rose of sharon across the back, a few winterberrys (both male and female required) and my tomato/onion/lettuce raised bed to the side. The only regret I have that I developed in seeing other posters' gardens was that I did not actually employ more usable hardscape areas. However, I primarily use the deck and really enjoy the view and the fountain.

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November 21, 2008

Garden of the Day: Contained in the Slope

Got a garden space you want to share? Send us a note. And now, architect Ryan Enschede, responsible for the innovative restoration of this Kensington interior, has been having some fun atop his own roof.

When my wife and I began looking for a larger apartment a few years ago, we were lucky enough to find a space with a generous rooftop terrace. Although I had never shared my family’s gardening enthusiasm (I was the urban dweller) suddenly I was caring for a few inherited potted plants. The next year I decided to grow a few vegetables… and this year I grew a productive vegetable garden in containers. Looking ahead I hope to do more with our space along the same lines. We love to cook, and having fresh vegetables again, right from our own roof, is truly a joy. Because we are on the roof, all the plants are growing in an assortment of purchased and found containers using store-bought potting soil, augmented with fertilizer and compost and watered from a hose. Our space’s greatest asset is having all the sun we could want, but the wind can be intense and breaks and tips the plants. We have been working out the kinks of rooftop composting, and my long term goal is to develop as close to a closed loop as possible, utilizing collected rainwater and composted food scraps. I also hope to work out a watering system that requires less attention from me than the hose.

In looking around I continue to be amazed at how completely ignored the wonderful rooftop spaces of NYC are – they must be the city’s single greatest underutilized asset. I think there is great potential for these spaces, both for welcome relief from the pressure of the city as well as for growing quality food right where it will be eaten, and I hope this idea will continue to take off.

Click through for links to past Gardens of the Day posts.

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October 28, 2008

Garden of the Day: Outdoor Tiki Bar in Kensington

Got a garden space you want to share? Send us a note. And now, a tale of exotic Kensington DIY. The Garden's been a work in progress for over five years, except for the bamboo and the silver lace vine that cover the fence on the left side. They were planted by my uncle about twenty years ago when my mom owned the house. A tree was removed from the back middle of the yard but we could not get rid of the tree stump so I used it to make the waterfall/pond.

I built the bar myself with scar 2x3s and plywood left over from renovating the house. The window frames and door were made with solid pine I distressed and stained myself. I would say the bar could probably be built for under 400 dollars if you could do it yourself. It also has track lighting and outlet's for running blenders and stereo. There was a large oval pool in the back that I removed myself. The back deck cafe seating area was added this summer. Cost for that was about $300.00 including the cafe set from Home Depot (about $58.00) The bar doubles as a storage shed for garden tools in the off season. It was originally Tuscan inspired but my nephew's kept buying me Tiki stuff for it so it's been transformed.

Click through for links to past Gardens of the Day posts.

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