Though it may seem like Winter will never end...it's that time of year again! 

Let's all get together for the  

It's almost Spring meeting of the Chelsea Garden Club  

on 

Saturday March 10th at 12:00 

in the rectory of 

St. Peter's Church 

located on 20th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. 

This will be our seventh year as a group and the pits looked the prettiest ever last summer. Please help us celebrate our success and of course talk about this year's gardening season.  We have a few available pits that will need volunteers and a few volunteers that need pits.

Feel free to bring a friend, any extra seeds (for planting) and snacks (for eating). I will make the coffee. See you then.
Flower power!

Hello Gardeners!

Only five months until Spring. Time to plant!

Phyllis and I will be picking up the daffodil bulbs on Sunday October 16 and will have them available for you  starting at 

1p at the corner of 20th Street and Ninth Avenue 

at the bench. 

They are free and will look nice in early Spring.

We will be there until about 3pm so bring a bag and get your bulbs.
If you can't get them, please make arrangements with another gardener to pick them up for you.

See you Sunday. Flower power!

Missy Adams

the Chelsea Garden Club

(p.s. Home Depot is selling 50 red tulip bulbs for $16)

DAFFODIL BULB GIVEAWAY

For Chelsea Garden Club gardeners,
We will be distributing bulbs on Sunday October 16 from 1 until 2 pm at my pit on 20th Street and Ninth Avenue. Come and get 'em! It's time to plant for Spring!
Flower Power!!

Pencil in June 25 for the Garden Walk aka the Chelsea Garden Club Pit Tour. Details to come.

New date for the 2016 meeting:

The 2016 Spring meeting of the Chelsea Garden Club
will be on
Saturday April 9th at 12:15 in the rectory of St. Peter's Church
located on 20th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.
This will be our fifth Spring as a group so please join us to celebrate our success and talk about this year's gardening season. We have a lot to discuss!
Feel free to bring seeds (for planting) and snacks (for eating). I will bring the coffee.
(p.s. Phyllis may still have some free native plants left over from the March 26 mulching. Let her know if you want some.)
Flower power!
Missy

p.s. Check out this week's Chelsea Now about what a bad week Mark has had. And how!
http://chelseanow.com/2016/03/water-main-work-wreaks-havoc-on-volunteers-tree-pits/

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SATURDAY JULY 18

The 2015 Annual Chelsea Garden Club Pit Tour will be on Saturday, July 18. Let's meet at 9:30 AM at 23rd Street and 7th Avenue in front of the Papaya hot dog shop.

Or sleep in and you can meet us at 10 AM at 23rd Street and 8th Avenue in front of  Dallas Barbecue.

    We'll mosey up Eighth Avenue to 30th Street and then cut over to Ninth Avenue and make our way South down to about 17th Street and then loop back to Eighth and head back North finishing at 23rd. So if you want to join in at any point, just look for a large group of people staring at one of the avenue tree pits.

Flower power!

One of our gardeners sent us this:

Garden Dialogues:

In June, get exclusive access to private gardens in New York City, The Hamptons, and Westchester, and hear directly from the designers and their clients about their collaborative process. Garden Dialogues provides unique opportunities for small groups to visit some of today’s most beautiful gardens created by some of the most accomplished designers currently in practice.

It's $45 for a garden tour and it starts this Saturday, June 20 at 10am with a tour of a Midtown Sky Garden in Manhattan. The award-winning, 6,500 square-foot terrace of the Midtown Manhattan Sky Garden takes advantage of panoramic skyline views while providing an intimate garden backdrop to the mid-century-modern building’s newly-renovated interior workspace. Richly textured and seasonally diverse plantings include a dense blanket of drought-tolerant prairie grasses, wildflower perennials, and spring flowering bulbs, punctuated by flowering Crab Apple trees. 

Our own gardener, Michael at 20th St and Ninth Ave. is hosting a tour of the Bakwin Estate in Ossining on Saturday June 20, 1:30 to 3:30pm | Ossining

M. Bakwin Estate
Michael V. Ruggiero, RLA of MVR Landscape Garden

Nestled among an impressive array of large rock outcrops, this Tudor-style home and garden offers panoramic views of its central ten-acre groomed landscape. From the house and terraces, visitors enjoy a vista of towering trees, spacious lawn areas, dramatic rock outcroppings, lush gardens brimming with seasonal color, a three-acre pond, orchards, and meadows. An 'integrated' deer fence protects such gardens as the vegetable garden, a Japanese style garden, and a perennial border. Forty acres of mature, deciduous forest completely enclose the property. A dense, planted understory and years of moss overgrowth carpet the forest floor and exposed rock, revealing the interplay between the designed and natural and celebrating the rugged vernacular New York landscape.  

Go to tclf.org/ for more information about tours and tickets.

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.

Hone your gardening skills

From the Bronx Green-Up and the NYC Compost Project: Read below for upcoming winter events as well as how you can apply to our 2015 certificate programs. For other community and gardening events; a list of grant information and resources; and internship and job opportunities, click here. BRONX GREEN-UP Pre-registration recommended. To reserve your place or for more information, please contact Bronx Green-Up at 718.817.8026 or bronxgreenup@nybg.org. Be aware that space is limited for some events; priority will be given to members of Bronx Green-Up gardens and NYC Compost Project sites in the Bronx. Pruning Practice Join us for instruction and practice pruning small trees and shrubs. Dress warmly! We will provide tools. Saturday, January 3 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Risse Street Community Garden • 10 Risse Street, triangular space between Grand Concourse, Jerome Avenue, and Mosholu Parkway 2015 Registration & License Renewal All GreenThumb gardens under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hold licenses which are set to expire on December 31, 2014. This registration session will allow all GreenThumb gardens on city property to update their registration. Gardeners will only be able to sign new licenses once registration forms have been reviewed and all materials are complete including membership lists, open hours, and the general rules and requirements of joining and being an active member of the garden. Membership lists must include at least 10 garden members with full contact information for primary contacts and mailing or e-mail addresses for regular garden members. Gardens must update their registrations in order to remain in good standing (with no violations) and eligible to receive supplies, assistance, and services. Sessions are conveniently located in all five boroughs. To register, fill out this online form. For more information, e-mail greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov. Thursday, January 15 • 5–7 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building, Room 302 (enter via the Mosholu Gate, across the street from the Metro-North Railroad Botanical Garden Station) House Plant Workshop We will talk all things house plants, from watering and maintenance to dividing overgrown plants and rooting cuttings. Bring only healthy, disease-free house plants to swap with others. Saturday, February 7 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Harding Lab Room 110 (enter via the Mosholu Gate, across the street from the Metro-North Railroad Botanical Garden Station) Grow More Vegetables Certificate Series 2015 The Grow More Vegetables Certificate Series is an edible gardening course designed to equip community gardeners, teachers, and city residents with organic techniques for growing vegetables safely and effectively, particularly in an urban setting. The program consists of six classroom sessions and additional hands-on gardening instruction in the field. Each student will have the opportunity to design his or her own urban vegetable gardening project as a final component of the course. The projects are open-ended with two main goals: to grow more food and to pass on the knowledge learned to an identified group in your community. To request an application, please e-mail bronxgreenup@nybg.org or call 718.817.8026. Six Wednesdays, February 18–March 25 • 6–8 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building NYC COMPOST PROJECT Pre-registration recommended. To reserve your place or for more information, please contact the NYC Compost Project at 718.817.8543 or compost@nybg.org. Be aware that space is limited for some events; priority will be given to members of Bronx Green-Up gardens and NYC Compost Project sites in the Bronx. MulchFest: Chip In! Mulch Your Tree! Help NYC Grow! Bring your holiday tree to a designated park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city. Remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. You are encouraged to bring sturdy bags to carry home free mulch provided at specific sites across the five boroughs. For more information, visit NYC’s 2015 Christmas Tree Recycling Web site. Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. • Locations throughout New York City Food Scrap Composting in New York City Are you concerned about the environmental impact of your food waste? If you have ever wondered if this organic material could serve a better purpose—such as converting to compost and returning to the soil—it can, and it is becoming easier for NYC residents to make that happen. Come to this workshop to learn about the full suite of options available in your neighborhood and citywide, including the Department of Sanitation’s new Organics Collection Pilot, food scrap drop-off programs, indoor and outdoor composting methods, and even tips for getting the most out of your food items before they turn into worm-food. Registration is required; e-mail compost@nybg.org or call 718.817.8543 to register. Thursday, January 22 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Bon Secours New York Health Systems/Schervier Garden • 2975 Independence Avenue Crazy for Composting Are you passionate about composting but want more from your bin? This Q&A session provides the practical tips, advice, and encouragement you need to take composting to the next level, whether you are just starting out or have been digging in for years. Registered GreenThumb community gardens will be able to request an order of compost, soil, or clean fill for spring delivery. Registration is required; e-mail compost@nybg.org or call 718.817.8543 to register. Saturday, February 14 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building, Room 302 Bronx Master Composter Certificate Program, applications due February 20 This comprehensive train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of composting in homes, schools, and community gardens in the Bronx. The program is held at The New York Botanical Garden in the spring beginning on March 29 and consists of eight Thursday evening classes, two Saturday field trips, and 30 hours of Bronx-based volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. Course material fee is $40; limited scholarships are available. For an application and more details, visit the NYC Master Composter Certificate Course Web page, e-mail compost@nybg.org, or call 718.817.8543. NYC Compost Project Information Tables Stop by for free tip sheets, pamphlets, and workshop schedules designed to help gardeners increase their composting expertise. Experts will be on hand to answer composting questions. Bronx Parks Speak Up Event registration required; for more information and to register, visit bronxspeakup.org. Saturday, February 28 • 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Information Table, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Lehman College • 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West • Faculty Dining Room of the Music Building GreenThumb GrowTogether Event registration required; for more information and to register, visit greenthumbnyc.org. Saturday, March 21 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Information Table, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Hostos Community College • East 149th Street and Grand Concourse

Three Hour Tour!

Our little group was looking fresh and enthusiastic at the start of our 13-block, 3-hour tour of the bicycle-lane tree pit gardens. I will download the rest of the photos in a day or two. Check back to see how we fared.

2014 Chelsea Garden Club Tour-Part I

Let's all get together to view the beautiful bicycle-lane tree pits along Ninth Avenue as well as meet our newest gardeners, celebrate the flowers, and curse the weeds, theft and vandalism. We can walk Eight Avenue at a later date or, if everyone is feeling frisky, walk both Eighth and Ninth on the same day. Here are the details: The Chelsea Garden Club Pit Tour (Ninth Avenue leg) is on Saturday, August 16 at 9AM. Let's meet at the pits at Ninth Ave. and 17th Street and we will then walk (slowly) North up Ninth Avenue and end at about 30th Street. See you then and Flower Power!

Free Tulip Bulbs

Ariana at the Lower East Side Ecology Center sent this:

Mark your calendars and get out your trowels -- the annual   Park Avenue Tulip Dig starts on May 17th! Tulips can be carefully removed from the end beds on Park Avenue between 54th and 86th Streets from May 17th through the 22nd. With proper care, Park Avenue tulips have been replanted and continue to bloom in personal and community gardens in and around New York City. To enjoy the tulips for years to come, please be sure to follow the instructions below and exercise extreme caution while on the malls: When digging up the bulbs, do not take any soil and do not cut off the leaves. Bulbs should be stored in a dry place until the leaves have turned brittle. They can be re-planted in October or November. Use a small amount of Bulbtone-type fertilizer and be sure to choose a location that gets full sunlight. *Important* Because of planned maintenance, please refrain from removing the bulbs from the end beds on either side of 67th and 68th Streets.   Please send photos of your digging experience (or of your Park Avenue tulips blooming in their new home) to: barbaramclaughlin@fundforparkavenue.org. Both the 19th and Midtown North precincts have been notified and patrols should expect to see people digging but as an added precaution, you may wish to carry a copy of this notice with you.

Saturday April 19, 2014 Gardening Event

Please, gardeners come and help this Saturday (April 19). LESEC will be bringing in volunteers so it's important that our own gardeners help them out! Ariana needs a head count, so please be sure to RSVP to Ariana at 

(ariana@lesecologycenter.org). Here's the invite:

Hello Chelsea Gardeners!

The NYC Compost Project, hosted locally by the Lower East Side Ecology Center, is excited to be working with the Gardener's Club in the prepping of your Eighth Avenue street tree pits!

Come and lend a helping hand on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 at 9AM.  The meeting spot will be the Northwest Corner of 8th Avenue and 30th Street.  We will be working our way down to 13th Street on 8th Avenue.  

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 Potting Mix.  The NYC Compost Project will be providing tools, wheelbarrows, and the DSNY Potting Mix.  We ask that you come out and help at the event, and bring along friends, family, and neighbors!  We want this event to not only be a beautification event, but a community event!

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

- Get ready to get your hands dirty!

If you are planning to come to the event, please RSVP by April 18th.  Please e-mail (ariana@lesecologycenter.org) with your RSVP including how many people you plan on bringing.

Again, we are super excited for this event and look forward to see everyone there!

Ariana Arancibia
Compost Associate

Gardeners!
We had a very informative meeting March 8. I wish more of you could have attended because it is so nice to see everyone and share our gardening adventures! Thanks again to Andy Fliegel for opening the doors of Callen-Lorde and hosting our group.
Now onward:
The Lower East Side Ecology Center is generously offering us help and resources (compost, mulch and volunteers) for the Eighth Avenue pits. They will hold an event TENTATIVELY on Saturday morning, April 19. So mark you calendars and tell everyone you know to come out and help. This will go a long way toward ensuring your gardens are lush and verdant this summer.
(For those on Ninth Ave. we may have another event but if you come out and help your 8th Ave. neighbors on the 19th, you can get a bag of compost!)
Flower Power,
Missy

SPRING!
Is March 20th.
Hard to imagine that those piles of snow in the garden pits will EVER melt. Nevertheless, it's time to think green. We are having our pre-Sping pre-planting meeting in a few weeks. I will email the final date and location by February 20.  Stay warm and flower power!!

Chelsea Garden Club Tour

You are cordially invited

to the
Second (sort-of) Annual
 Chelsea Garden Club Pit Tour
on
Saturday, July 13that
10 a.m.meet at
Eighth Avenue & 22nd Street
(at our composter in front of Foragers)

We will start at 22nd and (if everyone is game, make a side trip to 23rd and 7th to Kent's gardens) then proceed South to 17th and Eighth then over to Ninth Ave and stroll north up as far as Cynthia's pit at 30th then back to Eight Ave and down finishing at 23rd.
(You might want to bring a folding chair, or your bike)

Gardeners you have three weeks
Flower Power!

The latest: free sod, compost news and pit tour

Hey everybody,
A couple things:

1) We have been offered some free grass/sod!
Village Alliance is sponsoring a street festival that will have a temporary lawn with 1,000 sq. ft. of sod out on the street. If anyone from CGC be interested in picking up the free sod once the festival concludes at 5pm on 6/15 and 6/22, let me know as they would like to have an idea of how much they can unload. (cgc.nyc@gmail.com)
... The pick up site would be West 8th Street & MacDougal.

2) the composter is up and running at 8th & 22nd. Right side is cooking nicely and almost ready to be used. The left side is empty and ready for your discarded fruit, veggies, leaves, plants, coffee grounds and brown paper. Small pieces please. They break down faster! Thanks again to Phyllis Waisman for getting it for us. We've had it about a year without incident. So far so good!

3) I'd like to get everyone together for a garden club tour sometime in July, say a Saturday morning on the 13th, 20th or 27th. If anyone feels strongly about any of those dates let me know.
Flower Power!
Missy

Gardeners,
Send me pictures of your pits with their Spring blooms!
Here's 19th& 9th, north side with Chewey wondering why I am making him sit still:

First flowers of Spring

It is so heartening to see the bulbs beginning to bloom. Walking by the grape hyacinths, tulips and daffodils just makes me happy. I've put down hundreds of seeds and can't remember what or where. Summer's blooms will be a big surprise.
Flower Power!

Daffodils at 20th St. & Ninth Avenue (why are they looking away?)

 See if you can spot the cigarette butts.

Hudson River Park is looking for volunteers

They got hit bad by the Sandy storm surge.
So if you want even more gardening in your life, email them.
Contact Matt Post, director of horticulture. mpost@hrpt.ny.gov

And check out their website at hudsonriverpark.org