November Greenthumb Newsletter

GrowTogether T-shirt Design Contest
Please send in your GrowTogether T-shirt Designs for the 2016 season. This year’s theme is Concrete Jungle to Garden Oasis. The winning design will appear on the 2016 GrowTogether T-shirts, worn by hundreds of gardeners all over the city. Any GreenThumb gardener is welcome to enter. Applicants may send in up to 3 entries. The deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Symposium: Growing the Urban Farm
Growing the Urban Farm features four distinguished speakers who will address these critical questions and offer inspiration to experienced and aspiring urban farmers alike. This symposium is presented by Bronx Green-Up, NYBG’s steadfast community gardening program, which has been instrumental in the Bronx for the last 27 years. Bronx Green-Up of the New York Botanical Garden is happy to offer community gardeners a discounted price of $10 to the Symposium: Growing the Urban Farm

Citizens Committee Neighborhood Grants
Neighborhood Grants: Up to $3,000 for Your Community Group Through the Neighborhood Grants, Citizens Committee awards micro-grants of up to $3,000 to resident-led groups to work on community and school projects throughout the city. We prioritize groups based in low income neighborhoods and Title I public schools.

New Deputy Director, Carlos Martinez
Please join us in welcoming Carlos Martinez as Deputy Director of GreenThumb. Carlos joins us from the Partnerships for Parks Catalyst Program where he was the Program Manager and Waterfront Park Activities Coordinator.

GreenThumb Youth Leadership Council 2016
The GreenThumb Youth Leadership Council is an opportunity for 150 high school aged youth and 20 college students to volunteer at a 10 community garden in New York City.

Workshops & Events

Saturday, November 14, 2015

GreenThumb Fall Bulb Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Pick up a selection of spring flowering bulbs for fall planting at our compound. Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold bulbs for anyone.
Location: GreenThumb Compound, Queens
Cost: Free

GreenThumb Workshop: Healthy Soils
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Want to learn how to keep your plants growing strong this season? Plant health is usually directly linked to the health of the soil it is growing in.
Location: GreenThumb Compound, Queens
Cost: Free

Thursday, November 19, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Group Structure and By-Laws 101
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Is your garden group in need of structure and more organization?
Location: Living Restorations, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Hattie Carthan Community Farmers’ Market
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Shop for fresh, locally-grown produce, stone fruits, vegetables, herbs, Hattie Carthan cage-free eggs, value-added products, and specialty farm products.
Location: Hattie Carthan Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

GreenThumb Workshop: Putting the Garden to Bed
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Want to get a jumpstart on planning for next season? This workshop is all about planning ahead and taking the time you have during late fall and winter to get ready for spring.
Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Halloween Flea Market!

Our final Flea Market for the season is on Halloween (Sat. Oct. 31). Flea markets are our main money maker. If everyone contributes, we can make this one a real winner, in honor of the tree pruning. Help save our elm!

What you can (easily) do:

  • Print and post the attached flyer in your building, stores, anyplace public–or slip under doors
  • Bring donations for sale from the Garden Table; leave in the gazebo. Let’s have some food this year: cookies, muffins, meatpies, whatever you do best.
  • Bring wrapped candy for tricker-treaters.
     

And (easiest of all) stop by, in costume if you like. People attract people. Surely you can spare 1/2 hour of mingling and browsing.

Thanks in advance,

The Steering Committee

Download our flyer:

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Green Thumb June Calendar

Green Thumb events are great ways for gardeners to learn about a topic related to community gardens. As a Green Thumb garden, West 104th Street Community Garden is eligible for certain benefits and free supplies. We are seeking volunteers who can commit to attending events. Attendance at certain Green Thumb may count toward the garden workday or makeup requirement. Contact us for details or to volunteer.

Irises & Green Thumb sign 5-15

Thursday, June 11, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Double Raised Bed Building

4:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.
We will be learning how to raise beds higher to make them more accessible, especially for…
Location: PS 53 Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

JUN11

City Chicken Institute: Basics of Chicken Keeping

5:30 p.m.7:15 p.m.
During this workshop, we will cover general topics of chicken keeping including ideal coop…
Location: Imani Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Saturday, June 13, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Freshkills Park Walking Tour

1:00 p.m.2:30 p.m.
Join NYC gardeners for a tour of Freshkills Park and see land transformation on an…
Location: St. George Ferry Terminal, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Powell Street Garden Workshop: Introduction to Beekeeping & Honey Tasting

3:00 p.m.4:00 p.m.
Join us for a brief introduction to beekeeping and enjoy tasting local…
Location: Powell Street Livonia Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, June 14, 2015

8th Annual Red Hook Jazz Festival at the Urban Meadow Garden

1:00 p.m.6:00 p.m.
Please enjoy a day of cutting-edge jazz music at the Urban Meadow Community Garden in…
Location: Urban Meadow Community Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: $10 suggested admission, kids are free

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Garden Design

5:30 p.m.7:00 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to do something different than the same old 4-by-8-foot wooden raised…
Location: Red Gate Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Thursday, June 18, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Perennial Swap

5:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.
Perennials are plants like oregano or day lily, which grow and bloom in spring and summer,…
Location: River Garden (in ), Bronx
Cost: Free

Saturday, June 20, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Birdhouse Building

11:00 a.m.12:30 p.m.
Interested in building a birdhouse? Come to the Clayton Williams Community Garden and learn…
Location: Clayton Williams Memorial Garden, Manhattan
Cost: Free

GreenThumb Workshop: Composting 101

11:00 a.m.1:00 p.m.
This is the first in a series of compost workshops in Staten Island. These three…
Location: Westervelt Community Garden, Staten Island
Cost: Free

Sunday, June 21, 2015

8th Annual Red Hook Jazz Festival at the Urban Meadow Garden

1:00 p.m.6:00 p.m.
Please enjoy a day of cutting edge jazz music at the Urban Meadow Community Garden in…
Location: Urban Meadow Community Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: $10 suggested admission, kids are free

El Flamboyan Garden: Father’s Day Celebration

2:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a Father’s Day celebration at the garden with a DJ, free food, and beverages.…
Location: El Flamboyan Community Garden (in ), Bronx
Cost: Free

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

City Chicken Institute: How to Build a Chicken Tractor

5:30 p.m.7:15 p.m.
Chicken tractors are a small chicken run without a floor that allow you to safely move your…
Location: Paradise on Earth, Bronx
Cost: Free

Make Music New York 2015

Once again, the garden has registered as a venue for Make Music New York. The annual music festival is held on the first day of Summer. The event is a free, public, open air series. Refreshments will be available.

Event Schedule:

June 21, 2015, Noon to 4:30pm

12:00-1:30pm Eileen Howard, song stylist

1:30-3:00pm Michael Louis Band, blues, jazz, pop

3:00-4:30pm Don’t Blame the Jazz Band, country, blues, bluegrass

 

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Feel free to download the flyer and post in your building.

GreenThumb May Calendar

Green Thumb events are great ways for gardeners to learn about a topic related to community gardens. As a Green Thumb garden, West 104th Street Community Garden is eligible for certain benefits and free supplies. We are seeking volunteers who can commit to attending events. Attendance at certain Green Thumb may count toward the garden workday or makeup requirement. Contact us for details or to volunteer.

Irises & Green Thumb sign 5-15

For details visit GreenThumb at http://www.greenthumbnyc.org.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Le Petit Versailles Garden: May Day Beltaine!
12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the Le Petit Versailles Garden opening for the spring, with a may pole, dancing, and costumes.
Location: La Petit Versailles, Manhattan
Cost: Free

Saturday, May 2, 2015

GreenThumb: Plant Starts Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your veggie, herb, and flower transplants at our annual giveaway, plus tips on square foot gardening.
Location: GreenThumb Compound, Queens
Cost: Free

Bronx Green Up Workshop: Building a Community Garden
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us in building the Rivers Run Community Garden, a new garden located along the Hutchinson River.
Location: Rivers Run Community Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free

Tree Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
GreenThumb and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) are teaming up to bring you free trees as part of the Million TreesNYC initiative!
Location: GreenThumb Compound, Queens
Cost: Free

Resident Green Committee Summit
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Resident Green Committees and interested guests are invited to join the NYCHA Gardening and Sustainability Unit at their inaugural Resident Green Committee Summit.
Location: Williamsburg Community Center, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

East New York Gardens: Spring Open House
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Build your garden’s membership or go to your local community garden and find out how to get involved.
Location: Clara’s Garden (in ), Brooklyn, Floral Vineyard (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Powell Street Garden Fruit Tree Giveaway
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Please come to the garden for a free fruit tree, while supplies last.
Location: Powell Street Livonia Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

First Quincy Garden: Spring Kickoff & 14th Anniversary

12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Please join the First Quincy GreenThumb garden for a spring kickoff event.
Location: First Quincy St. Block Association (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Synergi Urban Farm: Urban Rebuilding Initiative, Growing Season Kick-Off
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Urban Rebuilding Initiative will kick off the 2015 season of growing and giving with their first food and tree giveaway/plant sale.
Location: Synergi Urban Farm (in ), Bronx
Cost: Free

Tree Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
GreenThumb and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) are teaming up to bring you free trees as part of the Million TreesNYC initiative!
Location: Diamante Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Monday, May 4, 2015

Frank White Memorial Garden: Annual Planting Week
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals will work together on turning soil in raised beds, empty compost bins into raised beds, create smaller innovative garden plots, plant annuals and perennials in all areas food is growing, participate in group challenge course created by young people in the garden, create murals, and participate in or be entertained during the week.
Location: Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Frank White Memorial Garden: Annual Planting Week
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals will work together on turning soil in raised beds, empty compost bins into raised beds, create smaller innovative garden plots, plant annuals and perennials in all areas food is growing, participate in group challenge course created by young people in the garden, create murals, and participate in or be entertained during the week.
Location: Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Frank White Memorial Garden: Annual Planting Week
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals will work together on turning soil in raised beds, empty compost bins into raised beds, create smaller innovative garden plots, plant annuals and perennials in all areas food is growing, participate in group challenge course created by young people in the garden, create murals, and participate in or be entertained during the week.
Location: Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Frank White Memorial Garden: Annual Planting Week
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals will work together on turning soil in raised beds, empty compost bins into raised beds, create smaller innovative garden plots, plant annuals and perennials in all areas food is growing, participate in group challenge course created by young people in the garden, create murals, and participate in or be entertained during the week.
Location: Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Friday, May 8, 2015

Frank White Memorial Garden: Annual Planting Week
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Groups and individuals will work together on turning soil in raised beds, empty compost bins into raised beds, create smaller innovative garden plots, plant annuals and perennials in all areas food is growing, participate in group challenge course created by young people in the garden, create murals, and participate in or be entertained during the week.
Location: Frank White Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Saturday, May 9, 2015

GreenThumb: Plant Starts Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your veggie, herb and flower transplants at our annual giveaway, plus tips on square foot gardening.
Location: Melrose New Generation Community Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free

Red Hook Community Farm: Open Bin NYC
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Brooklyn Botanic Garden at Red Hook Community Farm and enjoy the day by building a windrow, sifting compost, applying compost to street trees and learning about community greening initiatives from GreenBridge, Added Value, and Green City Force.
Location: Red Hook Community Farm, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Bronx Food & Farms Trolley Tour: The Bronx Blooms
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Kick off the growing season by sowing seeds in a community garden.
Location: Melrose New Generation Community Garden, Bronx
Cost: Tickets are $30 by cash or check made payable to La Familia Verde.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Ten Neighbors Community Garden Cleanup Day
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us to clean up the debris in the garden.
Location: Ten Neighbors Community Garden, Brooklyn

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Soil Health
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Want to learn how to keep your plants growing strong this season?
Location: La Perla Garden (in ), Manhattan
Cost: Free

Thursday, May 14, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Teaching in the Garden
4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Navigate the fun, but often challenging world of teaching kids in the garden.
Location: Joe Holzka Community Garden (in ), Staten Island
Cost: Free

Saturday, May 16, 2015

GreenThumb: Plant Starts Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your veggie, herb and flower transplants at our annual giveaway, plus tips on square foot gardening.
Location: Hattie Carthan Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Butterfly Project NYC: Native Plant Share
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn more about the connections between native plants and pollinators and how to encourage them in urban landscapes.
Location: Grove Hill Learning Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free

GreenThumb: Plant Starts Giveaway
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your veggie, herb and flower transplants at our annual giveaway, plus tips on square foot gardening.
Location: Hattie Carthan Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Powell Street Garden: Free Book Fair
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Please come to the garden for a free book fair while supplies last.
Location: Powell Street Livonia Garden (in ), Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Worm Composting
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
We will construct a multi-bin worm composting system and learn the basics of vermiculture, including how to care for your system and worms, what to put in and leave out and how to harvest worm castings.
Location: Vinegar Hill community Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Saturday, May 23, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Beneficial Insects
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Want to attract native bees, butterflies and other pollinators? Come and learn how to do so with wonderfully smelling, showy flowering plants.
Location: Tranquility Garden, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

GreenThumb Workshop: Compost
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Get ready for hands-on learning! Construct a three-bin compost sifter and learn the basics of composting garden and food waste to make the soil in your garden burst with healthy fruits and vegetables.
Location: Risse Street Community Garden, Bronx
Cost: Free

31st Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether

Saturday, March 21, 2015
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

You are invited on March 21st to join thousands of community gardeners and greening professionals from all over New York City for a day of learning, sharing, networking and greening inspiration at the 31st Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether! Please pass this information out to the rest of your garden group and anyone else who might be interested. This year’s conference features favorite workshops from past years, as well as exciting new ones, including many hands on workshops for youth gardeners.

Pre-register online at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/959258

Pre-register before March 13th to guarantee breakfast, lunch, workshop attendance and a t-shirt. If you do not pre-register, you are not guaranteed lunch or a t-shirt.

Location
Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Directions to this location

Cost
$5 = breakfast + workshops + lunch + t-shirt $7 day of registration = (breakfast + workshops) Kids 12 and under are free *If you do not pre-register, you are not guaranteed lunch or a t-shirt.
Contact Number
(212) 788-8070

Contact Email
greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov

From Our Partners: Are You Concerned About Safety?

DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY?

Then come share them at the next general meeting of the NWCPMBA. All are welcome.

Guest Speaker: Captain Marlon Larin of the 24th Precinct

General Meeting Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Meeting Time: 7 pm.

Meeting Location:
Schneider Apartments
11 West 102nd St.

Captain Larin will address:

  • The latest CompStat data
  • Recent policing initiatives
  • Enforcement and the new 25 mph speed limit
  • Your questions!

Light, but very good refreshments will be served.

Workshop: 97 Street Transformation

Friends of Stryker Park, an Upper West Side community group, is sponsoring a workshop, Monday, March 2, 2015, 6:30 – 8:30PM at the American Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave. @103rd St.

We see a great opportunity to transform the north side of West 97th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. It’s currently a block-long barren expanse of concrete, unloved and poorly maintained.

A collaborative planning workshop is a forum where community members will have an opportunity to voice their needs and desires, and provide input on how to make this space more usable, safe and beautiful for the entire community.

The workshop is free and open to all members of the community. Register here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-stryker-park-community-workshop-registration-15687347278?aff=eac2

Due to space limitations, walk-ins are not permitted.

Support Open Space

Sustainability Series

WHEN: Join Us on Wed. Feb 11 at 6:30 – Networking – 7 PM program

WE NEED OUR OPEN SPACES – New York City policies allow the sale of community gardens and other open spaces. How can we protect open spaces and City Parks?

SPEAKERS:
Tupper Thomas – New Yorkers for Parks

Aziz Dehkan – NYC Coalition of Community Gardens

Paula Segal – 596 Acres – NYC Community Land Access Advocate

Meg Fellerath, Board President Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

WHERE: Seafarers & international House – 123 E. 15th Street, corner Irving Pl. Manhattan
Subways: Union Square Sta. 4/5/ L/N/Q/R

$6 Suggested donation – $ 3 students

Rally for Community Gardens Tue. Feb 10 at 9 AM at City Hall
17 community gardens are slated for destruction