M'Finda Kalunga Garden http://www.mkgarden.org Protecting and Improving the Community for the People who Live and Work Here Thu, 17 May 2012 22:06:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 It’s My Park Day http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/05/17/its-my-park-day/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/05/17/its-my-park-day/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 21:47:08 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=2115 Come on out!

]]> Come on out!

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/05/17/its-my-park-day/feed/ 0 Critter Committee Report http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/04/24/critter-committee-report/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/04/24/critter-committee-report/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:23:47 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=2073 The Critter Committee is working on two exciting projects that we hope will launch soon in the garden. Much like the ongoing chicken project, the Critter Committee hopes to expand the mission of the garden by establishing a turtle pond, and conducting insect releases.

With the help of Richard Ogust, a local turtle expert, we hope to create a permanent turtle pond in the garden where Red-eared Sliders can live year-around.

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Red-eared Sliders

Here is a plan for the pond.

The second part of the Critter Committee effort is the release of beneficial insects into the garden. Cornell University Department of Entomology can supply the insects. We are working with Dr. John Losey and Dr. Leslie Allee of Cornell University and their Lost Lady Bug project. They discovered a “lost” specie of ladybug in Long Island last year. It is a nine spotted ladybug and is the official New York State insect. It has not

Continue reading Critter Committee Report

]]> The Critter Committee is working on two exciting projects that we hope will launch soon in the garden. Much like the ongoing chicken project, the Critter Committee hopes to expand the mission of the garden by establishing a turtle pond, and conducting insect releases.

With the help of Richard Ogust, a local turtle expert, we hope to create a permanent turtle pond in the garden where Red-eared Sliders can live year-around.

Red-eared Turtles0

Red-eared Sliders

Here is a plan for the pond.

The second part of the Critter Committee effort is the release of beneficial insects into the garden. Cornell University Department of Entomology can supply the insects. We are working with Dr. John Losey and Dr. Leslie Allee of Cornell University and their Lost Lady Bug project. They discovered a “lost” specie of ladybug in Long Island last year. It is a nine spotted ladybug and is the official New York State insect. It has not been seen in New York for over 20 years. They have the 9 spotted ladybugs at their lab and want to repopulate New York with them. Our garden could be a recipient of them next year. This year we will get a different variety of ladybug. They are also researching an ecosystem of indigenous insects that we can have in our garden. Crickets and praying mantis are being considered.

Ladybug on a dandelion seed

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/04/24/critter-committee-report/feed/ 0 Next Garden Meeting http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/31/first-garden-meetings/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/31/first-garden-meetings/#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:16:46 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=1120 The next garden meeting will be Sunday, May 13, at 12 noon.

]]> The next garden meeting will be Sunday, May 13, at 12 noon.

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/31/first-garden-meetings/feed/ 0 Elizabeth Hubbard http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/13/elizabeth-hubbard/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/13/elizabeth-hubbard/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:23:08 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=1055 We lost a vital part of our garden’s heart this morning.

It is with great sadness that we let our garden group know of  Elizabeth Hubbard’s passing. She was with her beloved husband Joe. We will honor her, in the spring, in the garden.

She was an astonishing woman, a beautiful dancer, a gifted teacher and an unshakeable garden advocate. She was the most reliable and loyal of friends. Her wisdom was delivered in her unique style – direct and utterly honesty.

To say we will miss her doesn’t begin to express this loss to us, and to our neighborhood.

Continue reading Elizabeth Hubbard

]]> We lost a vital part of our garden’s heart this morning.

It is with great sadness that we let our garden group know of  Elizabeth Hubbard’s passing. She was with her beloved husband Joe. We will honor her, in the spring, in the garden.

She was an astonishing woman, a beautiful dancer, a gifted teacher and an unshakeable garden advocate. She was the most reliable and loyal of friends. Her wisdom was delivered in her unique style – direct and utterly honesty.

To say we will miss her doesn’t begin to express this loss to us, and to our neighborhood.

Elizabeth Hubbard
Elizabeth on point
Elizabeth Hubbard and Roo
Elizabeth at the flower show
Elizabeth and Roo

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/13/elizabeth-hubbard/feed/ 9 From Leslie Harris http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/from-leslie-harris/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/from-leslie-harris/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:58:33 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=1090 Plenty of green on hand, which isn’t true every year! Elizabeth’s tete-a-tete daffodils continue all over the garden. Also, other daffodils: white, white and pale yellow,  small yellow with orange-yellow cups, bigger yellow with orange cups, white with orange cups, white with salmon cups, tiny narcissus with all yellow cups and wide petals.

The magnolias are blooming. Snowdrops are gone, crocus are fading. Tulip, and daylily, and iris leaves are pushing up quickly. I saw violets blooming away.

This is a good time to plant pansies. Any late frost will not bother them: what they love is the cool weather. I also planted sweet pea seeds, but have never had any luck with them.

]]> Plenty of green on hand, which isn’t true every year! Elizabeth’s tete-a-tete daffodils continue all over the garden. Also, other daffodils: white, white and pale yellow,  small yellow with orange-yellow cups, bigger yellow with orange cups, white with orange cups, white with salmon cups, tiny narcissus with all yellow cups and wide petals.

The magnolias are blooming. Snowdrops are gone, crocus are fading. Tulip, and daylily, and iris leaves are pushing up quickly. I saw violets blooming away.

This is a good time to plant pansies. Any late frost will not bother them: what they love is the cool weather. I also planted sweet pea seeds, but have never had any luck with them.

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/from-leslie-harris/feed/ 0 Bob Humber Honored by Citizen’s Committee for New York http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/bob-humber-honored-by-citizens-committee-for-new-york/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/bob-humber-honored-by-citizens-committee-for-new-york/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:09:26 +0000 Debra http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=1010 On February 27th, 2012, a lucky handful of us accompanied Bob Humber as he accepted the Osborne Elliot Community Service Award at the Citizens for NYC 2012 Gala. Citizens for NYC is an organization whose sole reason for being is to support community initiatives and projects that sustain, grow, and reinforce the bonds between neighbors, and provide opportunities for communities to come together to achieve these goals. CCNYC recognized Bob for his thirty some-odd years of work in supporting the well being of the people and places in our community – including our seniors, our young people, our visitors, our park and our neighborhood. Bob was celebrated in a short film, a thoughtful introduction by Police Commissioner Ray Kelley, and in a loving bio written by K Webster.

For more photos, click here go to our Flickr page. The video is below.

Continue reading Bob Humber Honored by Citizen’s Committee for New York

]]> On February 27th, 2012, a lucky handful of us accompanied Bob Humber as he accepted the Osborne Elliot Community Service Award at the Citizens for NYC 2012 Gala. Citizens for NYC is an organization whose sole reason for being is to support community initiatives and projects that sustain, grow, and reinforce the bonds between neighbors, and provide opportunities for communities to come together to achieve these goals. CCNYC recognized Bob for his thirty some-odd years of work in supporting the well being of the people and places in our community – including our seniors, our young people, our visitors, our park and our neighborhood. Bob was celebrated in a short film, a thoughtful introduction by Police Commissioner Ray Kelley, and in a loving bio written by K Webster.

For more photos, click here go to our Flickr page. The video is below.

Citizens for New York Program

Bob Humber and Commissioner KellyBob Humber

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/bob-humber-honored-by-citizens-committee-for-new-york/feed/ 0 Critter Committee Meets http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/critter-committee-meets/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/critter-committee-meets/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:25:42 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=1043 The critter Committee met over the weekend and is planning a turtle pond. The hope is to write a grant proposal to help pay for it.

Red-eared Sliders

]]> The critter Committee met over the weekend and is planning a turtle pond. The hope is to write a grant proposal to help pay for it.

Red-eared Turtles

Red-eared Sliders

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/03/12/critter-committee-meets/feed/ 0 New York Times Article http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/27/new-york-times-article/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/27/new-york-times-article/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:27:58 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=966

Much to Savor, and Worry About, Amid Mild Winter’s Early Blooms By Lisa W. Foderaro Published: February 26, 2012 The unusual warmth this season has a downside for plants and trees, whose blossoms and seed production could be affected. CLICK to see article

 

]]> Japanese flowering apricot tree

Much to Savor, and Worry About, Amid Mild Winter’s Early Blooms

Published: February 26, 2012
The unusual warmth this season has a downside for plants and trees, whose blossoms and seed production could be affected.
CLICK to see article

 

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/27/new-york-times-article/feed/ 0 Early Spring – Ash Wednesday http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/23/early-spring-ash-wednesday/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/23/early-spring-ash-wednesday/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:21:20 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=946 Happy Ash Wednesday!

I don’t think that’s the phrase that is used. Nonetheless, it is a happy day.

The snowdrops continue. So does winter aconite(?) – short plants with yellow flowers.

At least one daffodil in Carol’s plot (NW corner of garden).

Crocuses galore.

This is a very good time to start raking out the plots–before the leaves and buds of spring bulbs get too tall. I hope to get down there for awhile today.

This is a subtle thing that helped me get through my raking: the winter honeysuckle is blooming. This is the enormous bush in the middle of my plot (center of garden with birdbath). The fragrance is heavenly and, if you get a moment, go stick your nose into it and inhale. I guarantee this will banish any depression or winter blues.

Leslie Harris Photos: Michael Marx

Continue reading Early Spring – Ash Wednesday

]]> Happy Ash Wednesday!

I don’t think that’s the phrase that is used. Nonetheless, it is a happy day.

The snowdrops continue. So does winter aconite(?) – short plants with yellow flowers.

At least one daffodil in Carol’s plot (NW corner of garden).

Crocuses galore.

This is a very good time to start raking out the plots–before the leaves and buds of spring bulbs get too tall. I hope to get down there for awhile today.

This is a subtle thing that helped me get through my raking: the winter honeysuckle is blooming. This is the enormous bush in the middle of my plot (center of garden with birdbath). The fragrance is heavenly and, if you get a moment, go stick your nose into it and inhale. I guarantee this will banish any depression or winter blues.

Leslie Harris
Photos: Michael Marx

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]]> http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/23/early-spring-ash-wednesday/feed/ 0 Green Thumb Events http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/09/green-thumb-events/ http://www.mkgarden.org/2012/02/09/green-thumb-events/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:56:15 +0000 admin http://www.mkgarden.org/?p=935 Here are some upcoming winter events hosted by Green Thumb. So if you’re feeling garden-deprived, take a look.

Seed Starting Workshop Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Want an early start on your growing season? Join us for this workshop on how to start your… Location: Old Stone House, Brooklyn Cost: Free

Seed Starting Workshop Thursday, February 16, 2012 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Want an early start on your growing season? Join us for this workshop on how to start your… Location: PS 211, Bronx Cost: Free

Compost & Healthy Soils Workshop Saturday, February 18, 2012 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Part I: Crazy for Composting with Jodie Colón, NYC Compost Project in the Bronx… Location: New York Botanical Garden (in Bronx Park), Bronx Cost: Free

28th Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether Saturday, March 31, 2012 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

You are invited to join a thousand community gardeners and greening professionals from all… Location: Hostos Community College, Bronx Cost: Pre-register $3 for breakfast + workshops + lunch

Continue reading Green Thumb Events

]]> Here are some upcoming winter events hosted by Green Thumb. So if you’re feeling garden-deprived, take a look.

Seed Starting Workshop

Saturday, February 11, 2012
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Want an early start on your growing season? Join us for this workshop on how to start your…
Location: Old Stone House, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

Seed Starting Workshop

Thursday, February 16, 2012
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Want an early start on your growing season? Join us for this workshop on how to start your…
Location: PS 211, Bronx
Cost: Free

Compost & Healthy Soils Workshop

Saturday, February 18, 2012
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Part I: Crazy for Composting with Jodie Colón, NYC Compost Project in the Bronx…
Location: New York Botanical Garden (in Bronx Park), Bronx
Cost: Free

28th Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether

Saturday, March 31, 2012
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

You are invited to join a thousand community gardeners and greening professionals from all…
Location: Hostos Community College, Bronx
Cost: Pre-register $3 for breakfast + workshops + lunch + t-shirt Day of registration $5 = breakfast + workshops You must pre-register to guaranteed lunch and a t-shirt

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