Last weekend's Spring Meeting had a terrific turnout and great discussions. Many of the gardeners stayed until the end--two and a half hours! Thanks to everyone who makes this such a nice group. Three reminders:
1) May 16th the Lower East Side Ecology Center is coming in the morning to mulch the Ninth Avenue pits. If you can, please help them. (I will be out of town so it would help if others could step in.)
Chelsea Garden Club Street Tree Care Event

Date: Saturday, May 16^th

Time: 9AM-12PM 

Start Location: Southeast corner of 9^th Avenue and West 30^th Street

Text:

New York City’s street trees provide a lot of things to New Yorkers: cleaner air, shade, green beauty, and much more.  Let’s make sure they stay nice and strong by providing them with a bit of TLC.  Come and get your hands dirty with the NYC Compost Project hosted by the Lower East Side Ecology Center at another wonderful street tree care event with the Chelsea Garden Club!  The day will include clearing the street pits of garbage, raking up the soil that has been compacted over the winter months, and applying fresh DSNY Compost Mix. 

Some things to keep in mind:

- Be prepared to work in any type of weather

- Wear sturdy footwear that is comfortable

- Bring a water bottle

To RSVP to this event, send an e-mail to ariana@lesecologycenter.orgincluding how many people you plan on coming with.  Please RSVP byMay 14th.  

2) Saturday, July 18 we will have our Pit Tour so mark your calendar.

3) At the meeting,  I mentioned how important milkweed is to the monarch butterflies (they are having a hard time) so please try to include some in your pit. Here is some info on the types to grow:

http://www.nwf.org/pollinators/monarch/milkweed-resources.aspx

Three species have particularly wide ranges and are good choices in most regions: common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and butterflyweed (A. tuberosa). The latter two are highly ornamental and widely available via the nursery trade.