Gardens of Union, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.8

Green With Envy Tour at the Garden of Union, Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Green With Envy

The Gardens of Union in Park Slope comprise two gardens nearly side-by-side: The large, active Garden of Union, and the smaller, contemplative Annie’s Garden two lots up the block. Both gardens are part of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation:

The Garden of Union lies on Union Street, but the name derives as much from its character as its location. The property is composed of two gardens separated by an apartment building. The smaller, located at 540 Union Street, is known as Annie’s Garden for Annie Thomson (b. 1919), the woman whose determination, energy, and spirit was largely responsible for making the garden come to life. Annie’s Garden opened in 1987. The main space, the Garden of Union, is located at 634-36 Union Street and has been operating since 1979. Both areas are maintained by Parks and garden members, most of whom reside in Park Slope. Other volunteers come from all over Brooklyn, from Howard Beach to Carroll Gardens to Sunset Park.

The Garden of Union and Annie’s Garden are community gardens with well-developed plantings of vegetables and flowers. The bulk of the land in the main garden is devoted to vegetables, and much attention is paid to the ornamental qualities of vegetables. Flowers and herbs are also integrated with the vegetable plantings. The garden regularly yields more produce than the members can use, and much of the vegetables are often given away to members of the community and a local soup kitchen.
Parks Sign

Green With Envy

Garden of Union

Garden of Union

Garden of Union

Garden of Union

Grotto at the rock garden.

Grotto

Lily pool.

Lily Pool

This mullein is visible in both of the first two photos above. It towered about 8 feet above us.

Mullein

Composting

This gardening community is well-known for its active community composting program. The composting area was a highlight of the tour.

Green With Envy

Here’s the industrial scale composting operation. The plastic tubes are perforated to draw air and oxygen into the base of the compost pile.

Industrial Compost

Industrial Compost

More awesomeness is this combination triple-bin compost system and grape arbor.

Compost Bin Grape Arbor

Compost Bin Grape Arbor

Annie’s Garden

Annie's Garden

Walking from the entrance to the rear of the garden.

Annie's Garden
Annie's Garden

At the rear of the garden are these ying/yang beds.

Ying/Yang

Looking back toward the street entrance.

Annie's Garden
Annie's Garden

Glam Shots

Lunaria Pods, Annie’s Garden
Lunaria Pods, Annie's Garden

Death Valley, Annie’s Garden
Death Valley

Harvest wreath hanging inside the door of the tool shed in the Garden of Union.
Harvest Wreath

Hydrangea quercifolia, Oak-leaf Hydrangea, with harvesting basket.
Oak Leaf with Basket

Grapes on the composting arbor.
Grapes

Rhubarb
Rhubarb

Water lily.
Water Lily

Hollyhock.
Hollyhock

These beautiful beetles were buzzing and crawling around some squash plants. Probably not good for the squash, but I was intrigued. Anyone know what these are?

Beetle
Beetle

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