As temperature drops and leaves fall, we enjoy these last few days outside before snow covers it all. A.L.L. Garden InstructorChina Bushell, in the Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Parkhas been preparing the A.L.L. Gardens for next spring with wonderful community participation of all ages: Harvesting, Composting and Planting for the next season with the help of school children and community residents.
On September 21, 2019, Saturday (12.00 PM-1.30 PM), enjoy free workshop on organic gardening presented by Roosevelt Island Living Library & Roosevelt Island Public Library! Funded by RIOC Public Purpose Fund and conducted by A.L.L. Garden Instructor China Bushell, these workshops are one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn and create your own organic garden. This weekend's workshop is about fall plantings, cuttings, and plant division. The workshop will begin in RI Public Library to discuss the workshop subject with the help of Library's resources and display materials. Later, participants will get a chance to learn more about organic gardening in RI Living Library Gardens, behind new RI Library site, 504 Main Street.
On Saturday, June 08, 2019, 10 am - 2 pm, celebrate Roosevelt Island Day with us and help plant our new community fruit orchard in RI Living Library & Think Park Gardens, behind new RI Library site, 504 Main Street. Get your hands dirty while planting peach, asian pear, apple, plum, apricot, nectarine & cherry trees. Don't forget to wear closed-toe shoes, hat, sunblock and bring a water bottle. All are welcome including families and children.
"How to make sure that seedlings receive optimum amount of light?"
"What is a soil mix?"
"What should be the ideal frequency to water seedlings?"
These were some of the questions discussed in the second free monthly organic gardening workshop held on May 04, a rainy day on Roosevelt Island, NYC. A.L.L.garden teacher, China Bushell met with students in the RI Branch Public Library, and they talked about sowing seeds, soil testing, and transplanting seedlings into the garden. In spite of the weather, a group of enthusiastic participants turned up, wanting to learn about seed germination and growth, different kinds of soil, and the usage of compost, peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and sand in soil mixes.
China also spoke about checking on a plant's condition by measuring moisture content, pH value and light levels with the help of a soil tester kit. She encouraged participants to grow their own version of organic gardens in pots and containers, even in apartments. The Workshop also brought up diverse plant issues including: importance of using non-GMO seeds, use of organic pesticides rather than chemical deterrents, and soil nutrients. Enjoy a few images from the workshop, inside Roosevelt Island Public Library and in the RI Living Library & Think Park Gardens:
There is a lot of work involved in making A Living Library & Think Park bloom - planting seeds, weeding, mulching, composting, staking, watering. But the efforts are worthy when flowers, fruit, herbs and vegetables are ready to harvest. Nature rewards us with her bountiful magic that also helps us address issues of climate change and urban revitalization. As summer passes, please enjoy some pictures of the lush, gorgeous and ecological, Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park Gardens.
