Flatbush Gardener: July 2008

Monday, July 28, 2008

A Picnic at Prospect Park (the Brooklyn Blogade)

The July 2008 Brooklyn Blogade was a picnic at Prospect Park this past Sunday. Mother Nature smiled upon us, as thunderstorms bracketed, but did not interrupt, the picnic proper.

We did, however, get delayed in undertaking a walking tour of Prospect Park, guided by my neighbor Brenda Becker, whose Year in the Park was recently highlighted in the New York Times. While we waited out the rains, we sheltered in the Music Pagoda.

The Tour

At the Dongan oak Monument

Battle Pass

Sullivan Hill

Because we set out 45 minutes later than planned, we had to cut short our tour. But we did make it to the top of the Ravine.

Rustic Shelter

Rock Arch Bridge

Ambergill Falls.

The Picnic

Our hosts, Dave Kenny (Dope on the Slope) and Brenda, organized an awesome spread. Everyone contributed something.

The Shout-out

Nay-chuh

We enjoyed some of the idyllic ideal envisioned by the Park's creators, Olmsted in particular. Mostly insects, but some other orders, as well. There were also lots of chipmunks about, but I didn't get any good shots of them.

The Nethermead

Halysidota harrisii, Sycamore Tussock Moth, Caterpillar. Thanks to Mthew (Flickr) for the id!

Dog-Day Cicada

Thanks to Dave for the id of this Xenox tigrinus, the Tiger Bee Fly.

Xenox tigrinus, Tiger Bee Fly, Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Catbird

Crayfish

Links

Brit in Brooklyn
Dope on the Slope
Luna Park Gazette
Prospect: A Year in the Park
Self-Absorbed Boomer

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Tour Brooklyn community gardens this Saturday, July 26

El jardin esta abierto / The garden is open

This is a reminder that the second leg of the Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn community gardens is this Saturday, July 26. Tour Two kicks off at 10am from the Brooklyn Bear's Pacific Street Garden, in the triangle at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Pacific Street in Park Slope, near the Atlantic Avenue station.

This is an opportunity to hear about the history of Brooklyn's community gardens, speak with gardeners at each of the gardens, and learn how they organize and operate.

I posted 160 photos from Tour One two weeks ago. Tour Two promises to be just as extensive and interesting.

Pacific Street Brooklyn Bear’s Garden at Flatbush Avenue
St. Marks Avenue Blk. Assn. Community Garden btwn Carlton & Vanderbilt
Prospect Heights Community Farm, St. Marks btwn Vanderbilt & Underhill
Fulton Revival Garden, Vanderbilt at Gates
Hollenback Community Garden, Washington btwn Gates & Greene
Classon Ful-gate Community Garden, Classon btwn Fulton & Gates
Clifton Place Community Garden, Grand btwn Clifton & Greene
Pratt/Clinton Hill Community Garden, Hall St at DeKalb
The Greene Garden, DeKalb at Portland
Carlton Avenue Brooklyn Bear’s Garden between Fulton & Greene

Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn Community Gardens, July 12 and 26
Brooklyn Bear's Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.1
Hoyt Street Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.2
Wyckoff-Bond Community Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.3
David Foulke Memorial Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.4
Warren-St Marks Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy, I.5
Baltic Street Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.6
Lincoln-Berkeley Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.7
Gardens of Union, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.8
Green With Envy, Tour One, Final Stops 9 and 10

[tinyurl]

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Flash Flood Watch for NYC through tomorrow morning

Just in from the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM):

JULY 23, 2008 - FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR NYC

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch beginning Wednesday
evening, July 23. The Flash Flood Watch is expected to stay in effect until Thursday
evening, July 24. Rainfall totals may reach six inches in New York City, with
localized flooding possible.

New Yorkers should exercise caution, as heavy rain may knock down trees and power
lines, and may create hazardous driving conditions. People should avoid walking or
driving through moving water, as six inches of fast-moving water can knock people
off their feet; two feet will cause most vehicles to float.

Floods

Links

NYC Hazards: Flash Flooding, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Brooklyn Blogade this Sunday, July 27, in Prospect Park

Music Pagoda, Prospect Park, Brooklyn

The July 2008 Brooklyn Blogade is sponsored by Brenda of Prospect: A Year in the Park and Dave Kenny of Dope on the Slope. The site is Prospect Park:

Brenda of Prospect: A Year in the Park and I are co-hosting this month's Brooklyn Blogade Roadshow, which will be held in Prospect Park near the Music Pagoda (map). Brenda will be offering a guided walking tour of the park prior to the picnic (meeting point TBA). Learn why the park serves as an "oasis for the city soul," the title of a recent New York Times article describing Brenda's labor of love.

There is no charge for the event, although we are soliciting volunteers to bring food (see below) and will be passing the hat to defray expenses.

Come share Brooklyn's backyard with your fellow bloggers. Friends and family welcome, but please let us know you're coming so we can gauge how much jello salad to bring.

Please RSVP at blogade.rsvp@gmail.com.

- July Blogade: Prospect Park Picnic, Dope on the Slope

What: Brooklyn Blogade Picnic In Prospect Park
When: Sunday, July 27th
Time: 12:00 noon - 3:00pm (walking tour @ 11:00 am)
Who: bloggers, prospective bloggers, their family and friends

Blogade

Links

July Blogade: Prospect Park Picnic, Dope on the Slope

Monday, July 21, 2008

Green With Envy, Tour One, Final Stops 9 and 10

Green With Tour at the Gil Hodges Memorial Garden, Gowanus, Brooklyn.

The last two gardens we visited on the Green With Envy Tour, Tour One, on Saturday, July 12, were the Gil Hodges Memorial Garden in Gowanus and the Greenspace at the corner of President Street and 5th Avenue in Park Slope. Not too many photos from either of these. It was the end of the tour, nearly 5 hours after we had started, in the hottest part of the day. I was exhausted and needed to get home, cool down, and crash.

We do it all again this Saturday starting at 10am. Details below.

President Street Greenspace, Park Slope, Brooklyn

Signs

Te amo, Gil Hodges Garden

EL JARDIN ESTA ABIERTO (THE GARDEN IS OPEN), President Street Greenspace

Glam

Canna leaf, Gil Hodges Garden

Black Grass, Gil Hodges Garden

Zinnia, President Street Greenspace

Tour Two, Saturday, July 26

Pacific Street Brooklyn Bear’s Garden at Flatbush Avenue
St. Marks Avenue Blk. Assn. Community Garden btwn Carlton & Vanderbilt
Prospect Heights Community Farm, St. Marks btwn Vanderbilt & Underhill
Fulton Revival Garden, Vanderbilt at Gates
Hollenback Community Garden, Washington btwn Gates & Greene
Classon Ful-gate Community Garden, Classon btwn Fulton & Gates
Clifton Place Community Garden, Grand btwn Clifton & Greene
Pratt/Clinton Hill Community Garden, Hall St at DeKalb
The Greene Garden, DeKalb at Portland
Carlton Avenue Brooklyn Bear’s Garden between Fulton & Greene

Look for more "GWE" Tours coming up this fall in Bed Stuy and East NY, once again sponsored by the new (and still forming) Brooklyn Community Gardeners' Coalition. There'll also be a bike tour in August sponsored by the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust! Lots of opportunities to see Brooklyn's beautiful gardens!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

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

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

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

Grotto at the rock garden.

Lily pool.

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

Composting

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

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

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

Annie's Garden

Walking from the entrance to the rear of the garden.

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

Looking back toward the street entrance.

Glam Shots

Lunaria Pods, Annie's Garden

Death Valley, Annie's Garden

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

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

Grapes on the composting arbor.

Rhubarb

Water lily.

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?

Friday, July 18, 2008

Lincoln-Berkeley Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.7

Into the home stretch of Tour One of the Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn community gardens, we visited the Lincoln-Berkeley Community Garden. I'm afraid I don't have many photos of this garden. We'd been walking for 3 and 1/2 hours over several miles on a hot, humid day. I was getting tired, and cranky.

But here are a few photos.

I liked the placard on the sidewalk at the entrance to the garden.

Here's the main path leading from the entrance to the rear of the garden.

Some Hosta near the entrance would looking good.

Baltic Street Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.6

One of the gardeners shows off his bed.

I lived in Park Slope for 13 years before moving to Flatbush. The Baltic Street Garden, facing busy 4th Avenue, is a garden I knew of but never got to visit while I lived there. Driving along 4th Avenue during the summer, it's hard to miss. The two-story Campsis radicans, the native Trumpet Vine, qualifies this as a 50 mile-per-hour garden.

The interior of the garden used to be screened from the street by hedges. Although you can now see the garden from the sidewalk and street, it's a different experience viewing it from the inside.

The plots are large, raised beds. Gardeners grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and ornamentals.

Awesome.

Some glam shots.

Peaches were falling off this tree. Perfect fuzz.

Even the "necessaries" were photogenic.

I got a kick out of this sign just inside the entrance. That's just how I feel. They missed a view of my "love to hate" though. What would you add to their list?

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Warren-St Marks Community Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy, I.5

We're now halfway through the Green With Envy Tour One from last Saturday. We cross the thoroughfare of 4th Avenue, leaving Boerum Hill and entering my old neighborhood of Park Slope.

The Warren-St Mark's Garden spans Warren Street and St. Mark's Place between 4th and 5th Avenues in Park Slope. The contrasts with the gardens we visited in Boerum Hill were striking. First, there was just so much space, and more openness and sunlight. Second, food was being grown here.

Of course, my eyes were still drawn more to the ornamental plantings.

This big, yellow Asteraceae demanded attention. I didn't recognize it. I thought at first it was a Heliopsis. The flowers remind me more of a Coreopsis, but I've never seen one so huge as this. This specimen was about 6 feet tall. Anyone know what it is?

I also admired the subtle beauty of the Horsetails in the foreground above.

The composting area is off to one side at the middle of the garden, near Big Yellow, peeking in at the lower right. The big bag contains sawdust for folks to throw in when they're adding vegetables.

There's a nice area of stadium seating toward the St. Mark's end of the garden. They show movies there, using the side of an adjacent building as the screen.

Links

Warren St. Mark's Community Garden (Web site and blog)
Warren St. Mark's Community Garden (Yahoo Group, requires membership)

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Boerum Hill, July 12, 2008

Buddy 50 Windowbox, 381 Pacific Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

The Green With Envy Tour One of community gardens last Saturday was a walking tour. Lots, and lots, of walking, Five hours of walking interspersed by standing around, and occasionally sitting, in the beautiful gardens.

It was also a street-side introduction to Boerum Hill, a neighborhood with which I'm not familiar. Here's some things which caught my eye, including some gardens which were not officially on the tour.

"Flags" (T-shirts, actually), 485 Pacific Street

Gardens, North Pacific Playground, Boerum Hill

At first glance this building seems out of place, but take a closer look. The brick and wood relate to the dominant materials on the block. The detailed brick lintel across the width of the ground floor echoes details of its neighbors. The windows reflect the street trees and sky.

Fellow Flickrites luluinnyc and mayotic and I were all intrigued by this unusual building at 385 Pacific Street.

The frieze above the door - I thought it was a wood carving, but on closer inspection it could be terra-cotta - reads "Cuyler Church."

It really was built as a church building. It has a fascinating history. It served an "immigrant" community of Mohawk ironworkers and their families that settled in this neighborhood starting in the 1930s. In Spring 2001 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The former Cuyler Presbyterian Church is located in the Boerum Hill neighborhood of northwestern Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Designed by Staten Island architect Edward A. Sargent, the building is an example of High Victorian Eclectic design with elements of both Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture. The Cuyler Presbyterian Church began as an extension of Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church to support its growing programs. The chapel was built one-half mile away from the Lafayette Church in the North Gowanus neighborhood (now called Boerum Hill).
- Cuyler Presbyterian Church

Here's GRDN, a gardening store in Boerum Hill which I've been wanting to visit. It's on the same block as the Hoyt Street Community Garden, but time did not allow me anything but the briefest entry into the front of the shop. I drooled over the hand-thrown Guy Wolfe pots. I want to go back.

GRDN, 103 Hoyt Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Another beautiful building, this is the Brooklyn Inn, a local watering hole since the mid-1800s, at 148 Hoyt Street.

The Brooklyn Inn, 148 Hoyt Street, Boerum Hill

Rubbernecking at the Gowanus Community Garden, only time to admire it as we walked by.

Another lovely windowbox, this one at 218 Bergen Street.

Windowbox, 218 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Finally, here's a different view of the Buddy 50 scooter and windowbox that opened the post. They were each so perfect and beautiful.

Buddy 50 Windowbox, 381 Pacific Street, Brooklyn

Hoyt Street Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.2
Wyckoff-Bond Community Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.3
David Foulke Memorial Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.4

Links

Boerum Hill Association

Monday, July 14, 2008

David Foulke Memorial Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.4

Another lovely, ornamental garden in Boerum Hill. It may sound strange, but the first thing that really wowed me about this garden was the sinuous brick path winding from the front entrance to the back seating area.

Solid, perfectly bowed from the center to the margins for drainage. A herringbone pattern, with each marginal brick perfectly cut to fit the curve of the path. A professional job, which makes sense, considering that this garden is owned by the Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust, which has access to the resources for a job like this.

There was also plenty of vegetal eye candy, as well.

Wyckoff-Bond Community Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.3
Hoyt Street Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.2
Brooklyn Bear's Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.1
Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn Community Gardens, July 12 and 26

Wyckoff-Bond Community Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.3

I didn't get many shots of this one, another ornamental green space. There's only one narrow path which loops like a shepherd's crook from the entrance into the heart of the garden. It was hard to assemble everyone on the tour into the garden at once.

Many trees and large shrubs shade the rest of the property, much of it not accessible to the casual visible. (Gardeners, of course, make their own paths.) I imagine it must be a paradise for birds.

Hoyt Street Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.2
Green With Envy Tour, Tour One, Stop 1
Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn Community Gardens, July 12 and 26

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Hoyt Street Garden, Boerum Hill, Green With Envy Tour, I.2

On busy Atlantic Avenue, at the corner of Hoyt Street, lies the green oasis of the Hoyt Street Garden. This was our second official stop on the first leg of the Green With Envy Tour yesterday morning.

Dominated by a large Metasequoia and an oak, this is a shade garden, so no vegetables. The center circle is used for story-telling on the weekends. Funds from an annual plant sale funds micro-grants for projects that benefit the Boerum Hill community.

Green With Envy Tour, Tour One, Stop 1
Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn Community Gardens, July 12 and 26

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Brooklyn Bear's Garden, Park Slope, Green With Envy Tour, I.1

The Brooklyn Bear's Community Garden at Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue. That's the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower behind.

Today I attended the first leg of the Green with Envy guided walking tour of some of Brooklyn's numerous community gardens. Today we visited 10 community gardens in Park Slope and Boerum Hill over 5 hours. Yes, my feet hurt.

I also took hundreds of photos, which will take me a few days to get through. Here's the first batch, from the Brooklyn Bear's Community Garden at Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue. There are many more on my Flickr site.

Touristas (mostly)

The garden occupies a wedge of land at the intersection of Pacific Street and the every-busy Flatbush Avenue. There's an entrance on each side.

Here's a view of the Pacific Street side. The entrance is just past the raging Capmsis radicans, Trumpet Vine, which dominates this fence during the summer.

Here's the entrance on Flatbush Avenue, from outside, and in.

As you enter from Flatbush, the individual plots are to your left.

Mostly vegetables.

But also ornamentals.

Common areas are devoted to ornamental plantings. They're attractive to all kinds of insects, which satisfy the vegetables' needs for pollination. View these flower portraits in their larger sizes to see which insects they're attracting.

I also had the pleasure of meeting two fellow Flickrites: luluinnyc and mayotic. I'm looking forward to seeing their shots of today's tour.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Dog-Day Cicadas

Tibicen canicularis, Dog-Day Cicada, in my backyard last fall.

So, we never got any Brood XIV Magicicada this year, but I just heard my first dog-day cicada of the summer.

I'll be looking for their exit holes in the ground, and the husks they leave behind from their metamorphosis.

A Weekend in the Garden, October 8, 2007

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Weed Cortelyou some more this weekend

This weekend Flatbush residents have two more opportunities to weed, clean up, and mulch tree pits along Cortelyou Road:

Saturday, July 12, 9am to 12 noon, between Rugby and Marlborough Roads. Meet at the clock at the northwest corner of Rugby and Cortelyou, by the school and playground.
Sunday, July 13, 9am to 12noon, between East 16th and East 17th Streets. Meet at the corner of East 16th and Cortelyou.

One of the tree pits on Cortelyou Road between Rugby and Marlborough, across the street from the Food Co-op, June 28, 2008. The weeds were as high as the parking meter then. They're even higher now.

We will be there both mornings from 9am to 12noon or when that block is weeded, whichever comes first. No gardening experience necessary! We will show you what to do.

Bring your own drinking water, sunscreen, and gloves and be ready to get dirty.

Thanks to Flatbush Development Corporation for buying mulch for the tree pits! And many thanks to my neighbor, Tracey Hohman, for jump-starting this cleanup!

Cortelyou Weeded (Partly), July 5, 2008
Weeding Cortelyou, June 28, 2008

Flatbush by rail with Francis Morrone

Writing in today's New York Sun, Francis Morrone extols the charm - yes, charm - of the B/Q subway line that runs through the heart of Victorian Flatbush:

Two things bring charm to the line. One is that many of the original subdivisions of early 20th-century Flatbush remain intact. These planned communities are picture-perfect railroad suburbs of riotously eclectic bungalows and mansions on tree-shaded streets, many with brilliant design flourishes such as landscaped medians, or the illusion of spaciousness that comes from planting trees at the house line rather than the curbline. It's fair to say that for cleverness of planning and quality of architecture, these communities rank among the finest of their kind in America.
- Savoring the Brighton Line, a Rare MTA Charmer, Francis Morrone, The New York Sun, July 10, 2008

This is the landmarked Avenue H subway station on the Q line in Flatbush, Brooklyn. It was originally a sales office for Thomas Benton Ackerson's real estate developments in the area. Ackerson is one the developers responsible for my neighborhood of Beverley Square West in Victorian Flatbush. This is the only wooden station house in the New York City subway system.

Avenue H Subway Station, Flatbush, Brooklyn

Morrone briefly samples the neighborhoods of Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park, and Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park. He's written much about the architecture of this area. But today, his focus is the ride itself:

This would not be evident to riders but for the other thing that makes the line so delicious: From Prospect Park to Coney Island, the trains run entirely out of doors. From Prospect Park to Avenue H, the trains run in an open cut. From Avenue H to Sheepshead Bay, the trains run on an embankment. From Sheepshead Bay to Coney Island, the trains are elevated. The stations have the air of country railroad depots.

The Q train's Beverly Road subway platform

Morrone doesn't say much about the architecture in this article, but he does highlight one house in Ditmas Park:

Look for 463 E. 19th St., at the end of the block at Ditmas Avenue. The 1906 Colonial Revival beauty was designed by the great Brooklyn architects Slee & Bryson and has a rounded, jutting front porch with the most beautifully turned wooden balusters you'll ever see.

463 East 19th Street, Ditmas Park, Flatbush, Brooklyn

463 East 19th Street, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

Forgotten Flatbush: The Albemarle Road Pedestrian Bridge, November 25, 2007

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Rabies in NYC: Facts and Figures

With all of the recent interest in raccoons and other wildlife, rabies is frequently raised as a concern. The New York City Department of Health has information on rabies on its Web site. Anyone concerned about the risk of exposure to rabies from interactions with wildlife in NYC should review the DOH information, which I'll summarize here:

There have been no human cases of rabies in New York City for more than 50 years. In all of New York State, there have only been 14 cases since 1925.
Staten Island, with 29 rabid animals reported last year, and 35 in 2006, has a greater incidence of rabid animals than the rest of the city combined. The risk there is serious enough that DOH has issued a Rabies Alert [PDF, English/Español] for Staten Island.
The Bronx, with 14 reports last year and only 6 the year before, has less than half the incidence of Staten Island.
Brooklyn has had only 5 rabid animal reports in the past 15 years, and only 1 in the past 5.
Although city-wide, raccoons are the most frequently reported rabid animal, in Brooklyn no raccoons have been reported in the past 15 years.

So, although caution is always wise, there's no need to fear these animals. Except for Staten Island, the risk of exposure is extremely low. Spending time outside in New York City, you're more at risk from West Nile Virus than rabies.

What is rabies?

(NYC DOH)

Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals (including humans) most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The vast majority of rabies cases in the United States each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Animal rabies is reported annually in New York City and State, primarily in bats, skunks and raccoons. New York City first saw rabies in animals starting in 1992, and continues to every year, especially among animals in the Bronx.

In the United States, rabies rarely infects humans because of companion animal vaccination programs and the availability of human rabies vaccine. There have been no human cases of rabies in New York City for more than 50 years. New York State has reported 14 human cases since 1925.

Human rabies vaccine, if administered promptly and as recommended, can prevent infection after a person has been bitten or otherwise exposed to an animal with rabies. The human rabies vaccine is given in a series of five vaccinations along with one initial dose of rabies immune globulin (RIG). The one time dose of RIG and five vaccines administered over the course of one month is referred to as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

What Can People Do To Protect Themselves Against Rabies?

(New York State Department of Health)

Don't feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.

Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. [Note: This is the law in New York City.] Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and man. Protect them, and you may reduce your risk of exposure to rabies. Vaccines for dogs, cats and ferrets after three months of age are effective for a one-year period. Revaccinations are effective for up to three years. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors. Some new vaccines have now been licensed, and therefore, can be used for younger animals.

Don't try to separate two fighting animals. Wear gloves if you handle your pet after a fight.

Keep family pets indoors at night. Don't leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.

Don't attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. [And your compost bins containing food waste or scraps.] Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.

Bats can be particularly difficult to keep out of buildings because they can get through cracks as small as a pencil. Methods to keep bats out (batproofing) of homes and summer camps should be done during the fall and winter. If bats are already inside (e.g., in an attic or other areas), consult with your local health department about humane ways to remove them.

Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal. Tell children not to touch any animal they do not know.

If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. Bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside. You may contact a nuisance wildlife control officer who will remove the animal for a fee.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your local health department. Don't let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, it can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. This includes bats with skin contact or found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone with mental impairment. Bats have small, sharp teeth and in certain circumstances people can be bitten and not know it.

Links

NYC Department of Health: Rabies (Hydrophobia)
New York State Department of Health: Rabies

Water, the latest Flickr photo pool from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has created another new photo pool on Flickr. This one is called "Reflections: Water in the Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden."

Here are a few of my contributions, in order by date taken.

Two boys at the Lily Pool Terrace, November 6, 2005

Spring Bulbs in the Annual Border of the Lily Pool Terrace, April 23, 2006

Iridescence in stone basin in the Bonsai House, August 11, 2006. The occasion for this visit was the blooming of "Baby," Amorphophallus titanum.

Palm House at the Lily Pool Terrace, November 4, 2006

Stone basin, Japanese Garden, December 28, 2007

Pond, Japanese Garden, December 28, 2007

Goldfish Under Glass, Lily Pool Terrace, January 19, 2008

Pair a Ducks, Rock Garden, March 8, 2008

Lily Pool Terrace, March 8, 2008

The Bog, Native Flora Garden, April 17, 2008

Links

Reflections: Water in the Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Flickr photo pool)

Brooklyn's Raccoons in the New York Times

Flatbush Raccoon, June 26, 2008

Last week, I was interviewed by reporter Ann Farmer for the New York Times about my experiences with raccoons. The article is published in today's Times:

Raccoons have long been widespread in New York City, and there is no way to say with any statistical certainty whether there are more now. But Capt. Richard Simon of the Urban Park Rangers, which is part of the city’s Parks Department, said a rise in the number of 311 callers reporting sightings, encounters or interactions suggests that “the citywide population of raccoons has increased.”

One thing seems clear. In the leafy neighborhoods surrounding Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery, residents have been flooding the Internet with raccoon stories.
- The City’s Latest Real Estate Fight: Humans Against Raccoons, Ann Farmer, New York Times, July 8, 2008

That pesky Internet! Ms. Farmer cites the Brooklyn blogosphere as one source for the reports:

Chris Kreussling, a computer programmer who lives just south of Prospect Park in Flatbush, posted pictures on his Flatbush Gardener blog recently of several raccoons in his backyard. It elicited a quick round of similar testimonies.

Another Brooklyn blog, the Gowanus Lounge, chronicled multiple raccoon sightings in recent days in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Windsor Terrace and Red Hook.

When contacted, many bloggers recalled raccoons rooting around in gardens and compost piles, traipsing into children’s wading pools and sometimes rearing up on their hind legs when startled. Many expressed awe at seeing the nocturnal mammals so close.

“People need access to wildlife in urban areas,” Mr. Kreussling said. “I consider it a bonus.”

That last quote is a reference to biophilia, literally "love of life or living systems." I think the way I expressed it in the interview was something like: People need nature around them.

Ms. Farmer also interviewed several of my neighbors. Check out Nelson Ryland's cautionary tale of the hazards of cat doors!

Thanks to my neighbor Brenda of Crazy Stable and Prospect: A Year in the Park for putting Ms. Farmer on the trail!

Rabies in NYC: Facts and Figures
Summer Nights, June 26, 2008
Raccoons

Links

The City’s Latest Real Estate Fight: Humans Against Raccoons, Ann Farmer, New York Times, July 8, 2008

Monday, July 07, 2008

Some recent and current blooms in my garden

Hemerocallis, Daylily, June 21, 2008

Just some quick photos of plants recently or currently blooming in my garden. The first few were taken two weeks aga.

Daylilies

I don't "collect" daylilies, at least not the way I try to collect Hosta or native plants. We inherited a few with the gardens when we bought the house. For that reason, I consider them to be "passalong" plants: dependable, sturdy, hardy, tolerant of neglect, vigorous, and so on. I gave away several clumps this Spring. I'll have more to give away over time.

Hemerocallis, Daylily, June 21, 2008

Native Plants

Ascelpias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed, June 21, 2008

Echinacea pallida, Pale Coneflower, June 21, 2008. This photo was used to illustrate "Coneflowers: America's Prairie Treasures", by Barbara Perry Lawton, in the Summer 2009 edition of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's "Plants & Gardens News."

The Shady Path

In this short section of the shady path on the north side of the house, I have my two big-leaved monsters: Rodgersia pinnata, on the right, and Kirengeshoma palmata, on the left. The Rodgersia has a lot of drought damage from our heat wave a few weeks ago, but it's off-frame of this photo. I'm keeping a close watch on the Kirengeshoma, as it also crisps up at the slightest hint of drought. There are buds on it now, which mature very slowly into waxy yellow bells. It benefits here from its location next to my neighbor's mixed border, which gets watered by soaker hose.

Both of these plants are several years old, possibly even a decade. I've lost track of when I purchased them. They're slow-growing, but continue to increase in size every year, despite never being divided in all that time. They are well worth the wait.

I used to keep the Kirengeshoma in a large container, which I could never water enough. It's much happier in the ground. Both of these plants would prefer constant moisture. I have long-term plans to build a rain garden in the shady part of the front yard. When the time comes, both of these plants will be very happy there.

Nestled between them in the foreground is a small, yellow-leaved, purple-flowering Hosta. I've lost the id for this. I think it might be 'Little Aurora.' Any Hosta aficionados out there who can weigh in on what this might be?

Heirloom Canna

Last to share with you today is the Heirloom Canna 'Mme. Paul Caseneuve' blooming in a large, glazed container in the front yard. This is the same specimen that I grew for the first time last year. I overwintered it in the same container in an unheated, but enclosed, section of the front porch. I'm surprised it came back.

It doesn't look as pink as I remember it from last year. The color is more apricot/salmony this year. At least it's got the same bronze foliage.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Cortelyou Weeded (Partly)

Before: Weeding Cortelyou

This morning I joined about a dozen neighbors to weed, clean up, and mulch the tree pits on Cortelyou Road between Argyle and Rugby Roads. Many hands made light work of the 15 tree pits on the north and south sides of this one block. We got them all done in about 2-1/2 hours.

They look great. If you visit the Greenmarket tomorrow, or visit the block during the week, take a look and thank your neighbors. Thanks to Tracey Hohman for organizing this. And thanks to Flatbush Development Corporation for buying mulch for the tree pits!

After: Cortelyou Weeded

Weeded and mulched tree pit

We could only do this one block. There's more to be done. If you're available to help out on upcoming weekends, please let us know by responding to the poll in the upper-right of the sidebar, or email me at the address in my profile.

Weeding Cortelyou

Links

Flatbush Development Corporation
Invasive and Noxious Weeds of the Northeast, USDA PLANTS Database

Friday, July 04, 2008

Cortelyou Greenmarket Update: Raffle and more farmers

From Stacey McCarthy, market manager:

This Sunday, July 6, at the Cortelyou Road Farmers Market, come by the information table to enter the FREE RAFFLE of Greenmarket goodies donated by our market's farmers. Presented in a stylish Greenmarket tote bag, the raffle items will be available to pick up next Sunday, July 13.

This week promises to be a full house with the arrival of VICTOR PAVIA of El Mirador Farms. Victor tells me he will have a good selection of lettuce, herbs, summer squash and SQUASH BLOSSOMS. Victor, like Jorge Carmona of Amantai Farms, is part of the New Farmer Development Program, which "identifies, educates, and supports immigrants with agricultural experience by helping them become local farmers and establish small farms in the region." Pick up a program fact sheet at the information table to learn more about the program that trains the next generation of our regions farmers.

Farmers in July 6:

Hodgson’s, Walden, NY -- plenty of plants, rose bushes, herbs, and strawberries
Red Jacket Orchard’s, Geneva, NY -- apples, CHERRIES, juices
El Mirador Farm, New Jersey -- ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS, lettuce
Muddy River Farm, New Hampton, NY -- Lettuce, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, fennel, HERBS, BEETS
Amantai Farm/Jorge Carmona, Breinigsville, PA -- Lettuce, cucumbers - perfect for pickling or eating as is, greens, zucchini, GREEN BEANS and YELLOW WAX BEANS, honey
Bread Alone, Boiceville, NY -- bread, pies, muffins
Meredith’s Bakery, Kingston, NY -- bread, pies, QUICHES, jams

Probably (!) coming on July 6: Knoll Crest Farm, Hyde Park, NY -- Eggs, chickens, and pasta

COMING SOON ... sometime in July: Valley Shepherd, Long Valley, New Jersey -- artisanal cave aged cheeses, plus yogurt

Green With Envy Tour of Brooklyn Community Gardens, July 12 and 26

On Saturday, July 12 and 26, visit Community Gardens in Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Prospect Heights. On both guided tours, you can join us for a 10am breakfast at the Pacific Street Bear's Garden on Flatbush Ave, then walk, bike, or drive the routes below. More info: 718-636-4273.

Special thanks to the Brooklyn Community Gardeners' Coalition, GreenThumb, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden's GreenBridge.

Tour One, Saturday, July 12

Pacific Street Bear’s Garden at Flatbush Avenue, Park Slope
Hoyt Street Community Garden at Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill
Wyckoff-Bond Community Garden, Boerum Hill
David R. Foulke Memorial Garden, Bergen Street between Nevins & Bond Streets, Boerum Hill
Warren St. Marks Community Garden between 4th & 5th Avenues, Park Slope
Baltic Street Community Garden at 4th Avenue, Park Slope
Lincoln-Berkeley Community Garden, Lincoln between 5th & 6th Avenues, Park Slope
Gardens of Union, Union between 4th & 5th Avenues, Park Slope
Gil Hodges Garden, Carroll between 3rd & 4th Avenues, Gowanus
GreenSpace at President Street, corner of 5th Avenue, Park Slope

Tour Two, Saturday, July 26

Pacific Street Brooklyn Bear’s Garden at Flatbush Avenue
St. Marks Avenue Blk. Assn. Community Garden btwn Carlton & Vanderbilt
Prospect Heights Community Farm, St. Marks btwn Vanderbilt & Underhill
Fulton Revival Garden, Vanderbilt at Gates
Hollenback Community Garden, Washington btwn Gates & Greene
Classon Ful-gate Community Garden, Classon btwn Fulton & Gates
Clifton Place Community Garden, Grand btwn Clifton & Greene
Pratt/Clinton Hill Community Garden, Hall St at DeKalb
The Greene Garden, DeKalb at Portland
Carlton Avenue Brooklyn Bear’s Garden between Fulton & Greene

Brooklyn Bears Community Garden, February 13, 2008

Thursday, July 03, 2008

NYC Sewer-Stormwater Settlement

New York City will pay $5,000,000 to settle violations from delays in upgrades to sewer and stormwater systems. Three of the four sites to benefit directly from the settlement are in or adjacent to Brooklyn: Gowanus Canal, Coney Island Creek, and Jamaica Bay.

New York City has agreed to pay a $1 million fine and fund $4 million worth of environmental-benefit projects to settle violations related to delays in making sewer-system and stormwater-system upgrades to prevent overflows into waterways. The violations stem from the city's failure to make improvements in accordance with a schedule outlined in a 2005 consent order. Under this settlement, the city has agreed to a new timeline for completing those construction projects and will make further upgrades to both its sewer and stormwater systems.
- Settlement Paves Way for Sewer/Stormwater Upgrades and Green Infrastructure in NYC, July 2008, Environment DEC

The issue centered around New York City's obligation to improve mechanical structures, foundations, substructures, pumping stations and other infrastructure-related systems. The projects are designed to improve the capacity of the city's wastewater and stormwater systems. During heavy rainfall in New York City and other municipalities, runoff can exceed the capacity of the sewer system, triggering what's known as "combined sewer overflows." [Just as attractive as it sounds.] Infrastructure upgrades can diminish the chances of overflows.

The environmental benefit projects will be concentrated in the Bronx River, Flushing Bay, Coney Island Creek and Gowanus Canal watersheds and will assess the use of various green infrastructure to be installed for sewer-overflow and stormwater abatement. Some of the types of projects that will be considered include enhanced tree pits with underground water storage, rain gardens, green roofs, bio-retention basins and swales, porous pavement and blue roofs. Collectively, these projects are intended to reduce the volume of stormwater that enters the sewer system, thereby limiting overflows. These projects, administered through the state Environmental Facilities Corp., will include extensive community input and involvement.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Brooklyn Parks' Events, July 4th Weekend

Lots of activities in Parks all over Brooklyn this weekend:

37th Annual International African Arts Festival, Thursday, 7/3 through Sunday, 7/6, Commodore John Barry Park
Eagle as Icon, Friday, July 4, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Prospect Park
History on the Hill, Saturday, July 5, 1:00 p.m., Fort Greene Park
Urban Beekeeping, Saturday, July 5, 1:00 p.m., Marine Park
Neighborhood Walking Tour Series, Sunday, July 6, 10:00 a.m., Cobble Hill Park
Blood Drive: Music Saves Lives, Sunday, July 6, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., McCarren Park
Daydream, Sunday, July 6, 3:00 p.m., Prospect Park Imagination Playground

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Tour

The Picnic

The Shout-out

Nay-chuh

Related Content

Links

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Related Posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Monday, July 21, 2008

Signs

Glam

Tour Two, Saturday, July 26

Related Posts

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Composting

Annie's Garden

Glam Shots

Related Posts

Friday, July 18, 2008

Related Posts

Related Posts

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Monday, July 14, 2008

Related Posts

Related Posts

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Related Posts

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Related Content

Friday, July 11, 2008

Related Posts

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Related Posts

Links

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Links

Links

Related Posts

Links

Monday, July 07, 2008

Meta

Daylilies

Native Plants

The Shady Path

Heirloom Canna

Related Content

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Related Posts

Links

Friday, July 04, 2008

Tour One, Saturday, July 12

Tour Two, Saturday, July 26

Related Posts

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Twitter Updates (what I do between blog posts)

Twitter Updates

Recent Comments

About Me

This Blog is Ad-Free

Friend Connect

Followers

Subscribe

Subscribe and Link

Geo

Blog Archive