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new brooklyn gardener!!!
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Posted by spmimi z6 - brooklyn, ny (My Page) on Mon, Apr 11, 05 at 10:42
| hi everyone. just wanted to introduce myself. i've finally got that garden apartment!! most of it is patio but i have about 80 sq foot of shady (damn trees!) area for growing. i was always interested in native species, but after a beautiful walk through bbg's woodland natives area, i've been re-inspired to create a little natural oasis. so it's been shoveling out about 4-5" of the soil already there (what is with all these little stones??) and adding compost and organic soils. still not finished. it's amazing, doing my research they suggested 300lbs of compost, and i was like no way that's so much. well, after several orders i now realize how right they were!!!
anyhoo, just wanted to say hi, sorry i'm babbling, i'm just so excited to finally have some green space here in the city. i welcome any advice, suggestions, words of caution, etc especially for woodland/native/shady gardens. and i would love to meet other brooklyn gardeners!!! :)
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| I have no words of wisdom for you since I do only container gardening in Manhattan; just wanted to say hi and welcome :-) |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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- Posted by ChrisA Bklyn (z7) (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 11, 05 at 21:54
welcome spmimi!
i recall that first/new-garden-overhaul pleasure and pain from my move in to a garden rental 8 years ago. don't expect to know what free time is anymore from here on in ;->
but really the main reason i don't leave this place is my garden!! so exciting to make that start.
where in brooklyn are you?
i'm never entirely sure what will come back or show up season-to-season, but i can tell you i'd be happy to share some divisions of the prolific ferns, hostas and the lively self-seeding corydalis and feverfew if they fit your needs. city brownstone backyard gardening is a special art in itself... thank the powers that be that we have this forum to share, vent and exchange!
most welcome,
chris a. (fort greene) |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| hi meg - thanks for the nice welcome! i'll probably have a couple of containers as well as it's so hard for me to say no to a nice plant!! :) hi chris - it's amazing because i talk to those who live outside the city and they have no idea why i'm so excited and then i talk to those who do live in the city and they have no idea why i'm so excited!! haha. but i love my new apartment, i feel like i'm going to be spoiled and never want to move out!! i've gardened before but only under the tutelage of someone far more experienced than i was. so being the nerd i am, i do my research and have my spreadsheets and hopefully something will grow!! i live in park slope, and work in downtown brooklyn, which is not too far away from you. we face north and only have that early morning sun so i am definitely interested in ferns and hostas and would love to see what you have. and see the other beauties too, gosh i know that sounds so nosey, but i just love seeing other's gardens :) |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| Hey Spmimi - just wanted to say hi and welcome. I'm in Park Slope also. I have a large deck garden. And yea for hosta and ferns! I love them and suggest them to everyone. happy gardening and visit the forum often! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Last season
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| Hi, Spmimi, In addition to the Ferns and Hostas, you might try Bleeding Heart, Lily-of-the-Valley (it does spread, but that scent!!), Violets, especially Viola odorata and V. labradorica (purple-green leaves, self-seeds but in a polite way), Tricyrtis (interesting fall flowers), Japanese Anemones, Tiarella (some with interesting foliage), Columbines, Geranium macrorrhizum (scented leaves and red fall color), Foxgloves, Astilbes, Ajuga "Chocolate Chip" ...all of these have done well for me in the shady part of my backyard. Also interesting to try things like Caladium, Elephant Ear and Alocasia in pots - more of a tropical look, but they'll work even in a fairly shady spot. Begonias, too. And Hakone grass is nice, Liriope will work for a grassy effect, too. Have fun! :) Best,
Jen |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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Spmimi..
Well welcome to the world of city gardens... here in Caroll Gadens [ Court and President ]I see the slope looking east... I'd gladly show off here and if you do wish to look I'll reward you with some things to grow... I'd love to thin some things out... and I could give you some others wintered over inside and there will be too many for me... Gordon |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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Spmimi,
Welcome to Brooklyn brownstone gardening! No one but us, knows the challenges and the joys! This year, beginning my 5th with my brownstone garden, I realize how much I've learned thru experimentation and this forum. I have spent 4 years digging out concrete, building sloped flower beds around the periphery and laying bluestone. It seemed like there'd never be the time when I could begin the season in a more relaxed manner and have some moments of "aaah! how nice!", but it has finally come. So hang in and enjoy the process. I have found that besides all the shade plants everyone has mentioned, you can fool mother nature temporarily by starting seeds early. Really early...like january..so the seedling actually become plants such as nicotiana. They will last in the shade garden just for the season, having gotten enough of a start indoors to get them through. I also have good luck with a pale pink rose called Gruss aan achen (think spelling is ok). It blooms in shade. Wayside garden (website) sells it. They also sell a clematis that blooms better in shade (so they say). Mine is in its 2nd season and it is only 15" high but has about 8 flower buds on it. I also have a grape vine, believe it or not, that proliferates with grapes, as it grows high up, 20 feet above, where the sun does manage to be around longer.
Good luck!
Denise |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| I am a new backyard gardener, too. Behind a brownstone. Would love to hear any recommendations on garden coaches, garden helpers (I cannot haul dirt and dig alot) and advice on what works. I have sun and shade. Thanks much, Joyce |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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welcome!! I know your joy! I started my garden in the front corner yard of the brownstone I live in (I rent too, and don't want to move due to my garden!!).
I have a mostly shady garden due to a street tree, and a lot of plants are now establishing themselves, the successes are,:
hostas
foxgloves
peonies
pansies (annuals)
italian sage (nice purple flower)
and actually I lost count of the many plants I"ve put in over the years, some are finally blooming after 3 years!
I definitely had to work the soil (so many rocks, clay soil, garbage), also had to add orgainc matter over the years, I did it slowly since I'm on a budget.
The compliments are the best!!
good luck!
Miriam (Harlem) |
RE: new brooklyn gardener!!!
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| Hello . . .I wanted to say hi and introduce myself too. I am a new gardener in brownstone Brooklyn. I started a full sun roof garden with beach grass, day lillies, two heirloom roses, herbs, and a single tomato plant. |
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