We are Ellen and Jeri. We are trying to beautify our lovely Washington Heights neighborhoods, and lift up some magical (or soon-to-be magical) tree beds.
Plans are in flux! Right now, we have planted seeds or small sprouting plants at about a half dozen sites, and placed protective barriers around them (rods with string) to shelter the little plants as they grow. Here are most active sites:
- Post Office Garden – we placed a picket fence around a small ginkgo tree situated across from the Post Office on the corner of Hillside and Broadway, and planted the enclosure with sunflowers; existing plants in the space include lots of epazote (yes, the Mexican cooking and tea-making herb!), and some crabgrass (aka “Polish millet”–another plant with an interesting immigrant history!).
- Nagle and Ellwood – close to the Citibike stand, we have cordoned off two beds and planted basil, other herbs, and wildflowers.
- Up and down Bogardus – we’re planting sunflowers, hemp, milkweed and whatever seems like it might grow on several street tree beds here.
- Hillside by Bogardus – here, where two street tree beds each have a dead tree in the center, we created Fairy Gardens by planting young honeysuckle and morning glories. We protected them by putting up twig and ribbon fences. Feel free to decorate gently if you stop by.
- Broadway close to 192 – just north of the wonderful NC Mascy Flowers (thank you for the lovely mandarin tree, the fertilizer and water, and neighborly friendship!), we’ve planted two Mexican oregano plants and two rue plants, one juniper bush, some basil and mint, and sage and lambsquarters.