Despite the Rain, Wildflower Seeds Spread Across Bed Stuy
The first phase of the Bed Stuy Meadow project took place on Saturday, with almost 100 volunteers showing up to fling wildflower seeds into the deserted lots of Bed Stuy despite the inclement weather. “Flowers are great, but what really energizes me is the fact that most volunteers had their own ideas about making the…
The first phase of the Bed Stuy Meadow project took place on Saturday, with almost 100 volunteers showing up to fling wildflower seeds into the deserted lots of Bed Stuy despite the inclement weather. “Flowers are great, but what really energizes me is the fact that most volunteers had their own ideas about making the world a better place!” wrote organizer Deborah Fisher on the 21st Century Plowshare website. “I had conversations with people about organized clothing swaps; litter; street trees; helping landlords make better choices about insulating and choosing good windows–the list goes on and on!” The next phase of the project is about to get underway: Anyone who donated at least $10 to the project will receive a seed bomb in the mail in the next few weeks to throw wherever they please. More photos here.
The Seeds Have Been Planted! [21st Century Plowshare]
April Showers Bring Seed-Sowing Volunteers [NY Times]
Flowers for Bed Stuy [Brownstoner]
Photo by Kate Glicksberg
I agree with sam on this. I’ve tried many times to get wildflower seeds to grow under more ideal conditions than tossing them into a lot and the results are that about 10% of them take.
These are not ornamental plants…they are wildflowers. If you actually read the article, you’d know that.
Having grown them before, all you do is scatter the seeds and they grow easily.
It is a wonderful project, and your negativity about it is rather appalling actually. Not surprising, however.
They aren’t trying to grow hybrid roses here, they are trying to fill the abandoned lots in Bed Stuy with greenery.
A terrific project!
growing ornamental plants from seed is a process. The best way to do it is in containers. You plant the seeds in containers that look a little like ice cube trays. when they come up you thin out by selecting the strongest, after a while when they are strong, you transplant them in the soil, carefully, with fertilizer and making sure they are watered every day. That is gardening. Scattering seeds on vacant lots is, if not littering, at best providing lunch for birds.
You sound like the most unhappy person alive, Sam.
Wait to start off a Monday with your crap.
Bob, none of those seeds will grow. Unless they are sowing weeds. Hopefully birds will eat most of them and it will not be a total waste.
How so Sam? Whatever seeds that don’t grow will leave no discernible residue.
throwing seeds on tree pits and raggedy patches of soil is more akin to littering than gardening. Sorry.
I hope this results in some nice meadows but I’m skeptical that the majority of the seeds are not being properly sown and will not take root.
But the photo only shows 2% of those participating. Isn’t it a bit much to expect a representative sample in that one picture?