Reminder: Mulchfest 2009 is underway

MorBark in action at Park Circle, Prospect Park during Mulchfest 2008
MorBark Action Shot

This is a reminder that Mulchfest, NYC’s recycling program for holiday trees, has begun. Your tree will be chipped and used as mulch in parks and gardens across the city. All trees must be free of lights, stands, ornaments, tinsel, and so on.


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Starting last Thursday, New Year’s Day, you can drop trees off at Greenwood Cemetery.

Starting tonight, you can leave trees out for curbside pickup. Blog Widow and I dismantled out tree earlier this evening and set it out.

And on Mulchfest weekend, January 10 and 11, you can drop off trees at sites throughout the city. You can also pick up free mulch at chipping sites.

Related Content

Brooklyn Mulchfest 2009

Links

Mulchfest

Important update to Brooklyn Mulchfest 2009

I just found out – by accident, not by any NYC announcement – that two important components of the annual Mulchfest that I thought were lost this year due to budget cuts are back in:

You can drop-off trees at Greenwood Cemetery at the 5th Avenue & 25th Street Entrance from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily from January 1 thru 9, and until 2 pm on January 10. Also on January 10, from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, a tree chipper will be on site and Master Composters from the Brooklyn Compost Project will be available to answer all your composting questions.

The Department of Sanitation will collect trees left at the curb for composting starting Monday, January 5 through Friday, January 16. As always, you must remove all lights, ornaments, and stands from your tree before setting it out at the curb for collection.

I’ve updated the original post, which has all the details, including a map of chipping and drop-off locations.

Related Posts

Brooklyn Mulchfest 2009

Brooklyn Mulchfest 2009

Important updates, 2008.12.23: Good news!

  • You can drop-off trees at Greenwood Cemetery at the 5th Avenue & 25th Street Entrance from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily from January 1 thru 9, and until 2 pm on January 10. Also on January 10, from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, a tree chipper will be on site and Master Composters from the Brooklyn Compost Project will be available to answer all your composting questions.
  • The Department of Sanitation will collect clean Christmas trees left at the curb for composting starting Monday, January 5 through Friday, January 16. As always, you must remove all lights, ornaments, and stands from your tree before setting it out at the curb for collection.


Me loading a tree onto a truck during Mulchfest 2008.
Loading the Truck

I know I just got my tree up yesterday, and it’s not even decorated yet, but it’s also time to think about where your tree will go when you’re done enjoying it.

Saturday and Sunday, January 10 & 11, 2009, from 10am to 2pm, you can bring your tree to multiple Parks locations throughout the city. This map shows all the Brooklyn locations for Mulchfest 2009. On-site chipping locations are indicated by the green tree icons. Drop-off only locations are indicated by the arrow&star icons. Be sure to first remove all lights, ornaments, decorations, tree-stands and what-not before turning your tree into mulch.


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This year’s locations are almost the same as last year’s. New this year is a drop-off location at the Brooklyn Bear’s Pacific Street Garden.

A few drop-off locations were lost this year, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Shore Road Park, and Bensonhurst Park. Greenwood Cemetery, which provided extended drop-off dates last year, is not listed at all this year. And there is no curbside pickup this year. You must take your tree to one of the drop-off or chipping locations.

The closest location to Flatbush is Park Circle, at the corner of Prospect Park Southwest and Parkside Avenue. To volunteer or for more information call (718) 965-8960 or email volunteers@prospectpark.org. I volunteered at last year’s Mulchfest and it was a lot of fun.

Related Posts

Other Mulchfest posts
My photos from last year’s Park Circle Mulchfest [Flickr set]

Links

Mulchfest, Parks

Sunset Park can haz Community Garden?

Sunset Park neighbors and colleagues Best View in Brooklyn report that there is interest in developing unused MTA property into a community garden:

Some Sunset Park residents want to grow stuff…lots of stuff. You know, things like vegetables and flowers and green things. Despite there being several very active members of the Sunset Park Garden Club [which maintains gardens in Sunset Park itself], there is a desire and a need for a more typical community garden with plots and benches and composting.
Sunset Park Wants a Community Garden, Best View in Brooklyn

They are meeting this Saturday, November 29, at 10:30 in front of the 9th Avenue subway station (D and M lines) in Sunset Park, just south of Greenwood Cemetery. There are vacant lots on either side of the station building, visible in this Google Maps Street View of the station.

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For more details, see the original post.

Related Posts

Sunset Park Garden Club Needs You!, May 19, 2008

Links

Sunset Park Wants a Community Garden, Best View in Brooklyn

Tree Giveaway this Saturday in Sunset Park

Maple Tree, 91 Marlborough Road, Prospect Park South, November 2006
Maple Tree, 91 Marlborough Road

Not much advance notice, but I just learned of this myself. The only Brooklyn giveaway date and location this season is this Saturday, October 18, in Sunset Park.

Via fellow blogger(s) in Sunset Park, Best View in Brooklyn:

1,250 FREE trees will be available for adoption by homeowners and community groups at select locations throughout the five boroughs this October. Trees will be distributed by New York Restoration Project (NYRP). Note – individuals and families are limited to adopting one tree per household; and all tree recipients are required to register their new tree at www.milliontreesnyc.org. Interested community groups that can plant and care for 5-10 trees should contact mcrowley@nyrp.org before October 18th.

For residents who do not have their own yard to plant a tree, information on volunteering, educational programming and contributing to MillionTreesNYC will also be available.

A variety of trees of different sizes, including flowering and medium and large canopy (shade) trees will be available. Our horticultural staff will be present to provide advice on which species tree is best for your home.
Free Trees for NYC Homeowners and Community Groups in October (PDF only)

I’m curious to know what kinds of trees are available. I’m planning to plant two native trees in my backyard to replace the failing, weedy maples which I’ve had to get removed over the years. This giveaway conflicts with the Daffodil Project pickup, which is also this Saturday, in Grand Army Plaza.

Dates and Locations:

  • Saturday, October 18th – 9 am to 2 pm
    St. George CENYC Greenmarket – Staten Island
    St. Mark’s and Hyatt
  • Saturday, October 18th – 9 am to 2 pm
    Sunset Park CENYC Greenmarket – Brooklyn
    4th Ave. between 59th and 60th Streets
  • Sunday, October 19th – 9 am to 2 pm
    92nd Street CENYC Greenmarket – Upper Manhattan
    1st Ave. and East 92nd Street
  • Saturday, October 25th – 9 am to 2 pm (It’s My Park! Day)
    Atlas Park Greenmarket – Queens
    Cooper Ave at 80th Street
  • Saturday, October 25th – 10 am to 3 pm (It’s My Park! Day)
    Crotona Park Fall Harvest Festival – Bronx
    Fulton Avenue and Crotona Park North

Related Posts

Urban Forestry

Links

MillionTreesNYC
New York Restoration Project

The Brooklyn Blogade at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Blogade in the Member’s Room of BBG’s Lab & Admin Building
The Brooklyn Blogade

Earlier today, the Brooklyn Blogade, a semi-regular gathering of Brooklyn bloggers from across Brooklyn, met at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We had perfect weather for the outdoor portions of our visit, which included schmoozing in BBG’s open-air Terrace Cafe and a guided tour of some of the Garden. During the indoor session, we had presentations from BBG staff and free-wheeling Q&A about the online face of BBG: where it came from, where it is today, and where it could go.

We had a great turnout, including several faces new to the Blogade. Those attending or represented included:

and, of course, the hosts for today’s event, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Flatbush Gardener.

From 11am on, we gradually assembled in the Terrace Cafe. Folks had a chance to get something to eat, sit around, make introductions, chat, and so on. We greeted friends and made new acquaintances.

Shortly after noon, we moved to the Member’s Room, seen in the photo at the top of this post. I briefly explained the agenda for the rest of the day, then turned it over to our hosts from BBG.

Elizabeth Peters, BBG’s Director of Publications, was first up. She provided a brief history of the Garden, from its founding and opening to the public in 1910 and 1911 to the present.
Elizabeth Peters, BBG's Director of Publications

BBG’s centennial is just two years away. BBG hopes to have a new Visitor’s Center ready for that. The new Center will transform the northwest corner of the Garden, where they share a parking lot with the Brooklyn Museum, and open it up to Washington Avenue. This rendering, from BBG’s 2007 Annual Report, depicts how the new Center will appear from the Cherry Walk inside the garden, looking northwest toward the new entrance on Washington Avenue. The Overlook, with its allee of mature Ginkgo trees, is to the left.

Although construction will require permanent removal of four Ginkgos, one will be transplanted elsewhere in the Garden – a project in itself – and the other three will have their lumber put to use in the Visitor’s Center. Test beds for the green roof in the building are already planted out along the Overlook, in roughly the location the building will occupy. We saw these during the guided tour for the Blogade. The roof will be a meadow of what looked to be mostly, if not entirely, native plant species and cultivars.
Green Roof Test Beds

The Visitor Center will be BBG’s first “green” building and will be part of an unfolding series of future projects, including new gardens and improvements to public entrances. Constructed to meet rigorous Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building certification standards, the Visitor Center will feature such environmental elements as a living roof, use of recycled building materials, passive solar principles, geothermal heating, and bioswales (recessed catchment zones filled with water-loving plants) that will improve storm water management and relieve the burden on the municipal sewer system. It will house an exquisite new garden shop, a much-needed orientation room for tours and classes, an information desk, a dramatic event space, a refreshment bar, and other visitor amenities.
Capital Projects & Master Site Plan, 2007 Annual Report, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Dave Allen, BBG’s Web Manager, spoke next. The integrity of the information available through BBG is an important aspect of BBG’s educational mission. Dave spoke of the challenges to opening up BBG’s online presence, while retaining its “authoritative” voice.
Dave Allen, BBG's Web Manager

We’re just seeing the beginnings of BBG’s online transformation, one that will parallel transformation on the grounds. They experimented two years ago, during the historic bloom of BBG’s Titan Arum, “Baby.” They published the online journal of Allesandro Chiari, BBG’s Director of Propagation, as he tracked the growth, peak, and death of the bloom. They even published some visitor content on their Web site: some of my photos of “Baby” on my final visit, just after peak bloom, and in the early stages of decline before collapse.

BBG’s current Web site is static pages, “authoritative” in content and tone, and closed to more personal observations. Development is already underway on BBG’s next generation Web site – call it “BBG.org 2.0” – which will incorporate more dynamic content, personal observations of BBG staff, and more.

Following the lively discussion about BBG and its online efforts, we did the round-robin “Shout-out” where each of us introduced ourselves and our blogs, and had a chance to share our interests.
The Shout-out

After the Shout-out, there was time for coffee, cookies, and more schmoozing before our tour guides joined us and took us out onto the grounds.

Our primary guide, Christina, was a good sport. Not only did she have three BBG staffers and another guide on her tour, there was a past BBG tour guide, and a pedantic garden blogger to contend with. Nevertheless, the tour was enjoyed by all, and I hope Christina was able to tolerate our company as much as we enjoyed hers.
Christina, BBG Garden Guide

Here are the Blogadiers at the Viewing Pavilion in the Japanese Garden …
Viewing Pavilion, Japanese Garden

… in the Cranford Rose Garden …
Cranford Rose Garden

… and the Osborne Garden …
Osborne Garden

… and viewing the knot garden in BBG’s Herb Garden. This may be the last year for the knot garden. This is right where the new Visitor’s Center and entrance will be located. The entire Herb Garden will be recreated near the southern end of the garden, along Flatbush Avenue.
Viewing the Knot Garden

Related Content

Flickr photo set
Announcement post for today’s Blogade
Other Brooklyn Blogade posts

Links

Brooklynometry
Creative Times
Curly Comedy
The Luna Park Gazette
Prospect: A Year in the Park

Brooklyn Botanic Garden:

Last call for this Sunday’s Blogade

Bonsai of Acer buergerianum in the root over rock style by Stanley Chinn in the Bonsai Museum at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, November 2006
Acer buergerianum, Bonsai, Root over rock style, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Only two days before this Sunday’s Brooklyn Blogade at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The weather’s looking perfect: sunny, in the mid-70s.

We’re going to have a good turnout. If you previously RSVPd, and did NOT receive a confirmation email this morning, please forward a fresh copy of your original email to the Blogade RSVP email address given below.

If you would like to attend, there are still seats available. RSVPs REQUIRED:

* BBG is offering free admission – and parking – to those attending the Blogade.
* Space in the Member’s Room is limited.
* For free admission, please provide your real name.
* RSVPs will be fulfilled first-come, first-served.
* RSVP to blogade.rsvp@gmail.com

Related Posts

The Brooklyn Blogade visits the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Sunday, October 12

Reminder: Blogade at BBG this Sunday

Southern approach to the entrance to the Japanese Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, November, 2005
Southern approach to the entrance to the Japanese Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This is a reminder that the next Brooklyn Blogade is this Sunday, October 12. Our location this month is seasonally appropriate: the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

There are still seats available, but RSVP is required. See the original post for details.

Related Posts

The Brooklyn Blogade visits the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Sunday, October 12

The Brooklyn Blogade visits the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Sunday, October 12

Crape-Myrtles in full fall regalia in November 2006 at the Lily Pool Terrace of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Lily Pool Terrace, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, November 2006

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) welcomes the Brooklyn Blogade!

The Blogade is a “traveling roadshow” that meets each month in a different location in Brooklyn. It’s a way for bloggers who live or work in Brooklyn to visit different parts of Brooklyn and meet each other, and for residents of the communities we visit to connect with Brooklyn’s online world.

Inspired by the out-of-doors experience of the July Blogade in Prospect Park, I contacted Dave Allen, BBG’s Web Manager, about the possibility of hosting a Blogade. Dave is responsible for some of BBG’s Web content you may have already enjoyed, such as the timelapse videos of this year’s Hanami, the Cranford Rose Garden, and the Lily Pool Terrace. He and I have spoken informally in the past about how to foster greater connections between BBG and the online world. This seemed like a good fit, and October is a great time to experience some of our beautiful fall color at BBG.

Schedule of Events:

  • 11am to 12noon: Food on your own at BBG’s al fresco Terrace Cafe. Blogade attendees can sign in and get their name tags at the Blogade registration table near the Bonsai House.
  • 12noon to 2pm: Main program in the Member’s Room of the recently landmarked Laboratory and Administration Building. Meet Dave Allen, BBG’s Web Manager! There will be some brief presentations, time for Q&A, and of course, the shout-out.
  • 2pm to 3:30pm: Continue schmoozing as you explore the gardens on a guided tour of BBG just for those attending the Blogade!

RSVPs REQUIRED:

  • BBG is offering free admission – and parking – to those attending the Blogade.
  • Space in the Member’s Room is limited.
  • For free admission, please provide your real name.
  • RSVPs will be fulfilled first-come, first-served.
  • RSVP to blogade.rsvp@gmail.com

Related Content

A Picnic at Prospect Park (the Brooklyn Blogade), July 28, 2008
Blogade (Blog posts)
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Blog posts)
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Flickr photo collection)

Links

BBG has several different online resources and personae which you can explore:

Web site. Be sure to explore the Visit section for directions, maps, what’s in bloom, special exhibits, and so on.

Vimeo (High-def Video)
YouTube (Video)
Flickr (Photos)
Facebook (Social networking)
MySpace (Social networking)

Tour Bed-Stuy Community Gardens, Saturday, October 4

Round 3 of the 2008 Green With Envy Tours visits community gardens in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Saturday, October 4, from 10am to 2pm. This tour is organized by the Brooklyn Community Gardens Coalition with support from NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation, GreenThumb, GreenGuerillas and BBG’S GreenBridge.

Click for map biggeremization
Map of the green With Envy III 2008 Tour of Community Gardens in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Gardens on the tour:

  1. Madison Street Block Association Garden, 88-90 Madison Street, between Bedford Ave & Franklin Ave
  2. Cedar Tree Garden, 305 Greene Avenue, between Classon & Franklin
  3. Jane Bailey Memorial Garden, 327-329 Greene Avenue, between Classon & Franklin
  4. Greene Acres Community Garden, 324 Franklin Avenue, corner of Greene Avenue
  5. Target Community Garden, 931-933 Bedford Avenue, between Willoughby & DeKalb
  6. Spencer Street Block Association Community Garden, 230 Spencer Street, between Willoughby & DeKalb
  7. Hattie Carthan Community Garden, 654 Lafayette Ave, 363-365 Clifton Place, on Marcy Ave between Clifton Place and Lafayette Ave
  8. NYCHA Garden Womens Mural, Nostrand at Greene
  9. Greene Avenue Neighbors Association Garden, 490 Greene Avenue, corner of Nostrand
  10. Clifton Place Memorial Park and Garden, 1031-1039 Bedford Ave, at Clifton Place

Join us for this guided tour, visiting Community Gardens in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. The tour begins with a 10am breakfast at the Madison Street Block Assn. Garden between Franklin & Bedford, then walk, bike, or ride the bus to visit some AMAZING Brooklyn Gardens.

Special THANKS to the Parks Department for generously providing bus transport for this tour!!! Space is limited… RSVP joncrow [at] earthlink [dot] net.

To get to the start of the tour, take the G to Classon, the C to Franklin, or from Downtown Bklyn, take the B52 or B26 to Franklin and walk to the Madison Garden.

Related Posts

Green With Envy

Links

Green Guerillas
GreenBridge, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
GreenThumb
Bed-Stuy Garden Tour, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation