One year old garden

A year ago today, Aug. 14, 2003, I took a pair of long handled pruning shears and started to remove the overgrown weeds and brush along the fence between the University property and my garden area. A local contractor, working on campus sent over a back hoe and a team of men to help pull out the saplings and a ton of Boston Ivy which had roots tangled with the other wild growth. Working a square foot at a time I was able to get areas tilled and planted. Gradually throughout the spring and summer of this year I increased the plantings. This first picture is a photo of the garden as it looks from the rooftop of my building.

This is a photo of the area as it looked a year ago.

A close-up looking toward the road.

This is a view looking toward the campus. The building in the background is the Biology Building. The greenhouse, which has been given to me to use, is on the roof of the building.

There are 21 brug plants in the garden [which continues along the fence toward the highway] . I have also planted a weeping cherry, a dogwood, lots of iris, hostas [in the shade], habiscus, sweet potato vine, begonias, salvia, ferns, astilbe, and much else. The University, at my request, sent over a team of painters to clean up and paint the old iron fence. The university grounds crew love the change and come by regularly to check on the currently blooming brugs. It's a joy to provide such beauty to the pedestrians along the road as well as the campus populations.

All grown from seed?

No, cinemike, most brugs were from this year's or last year's cuttings. Most of the other plants were from DG plant swaps or were purchased from a local grower. I go to the flower market [under the Yankee Stadium, in one of their parking lots] at 4:30 am to see what the local growers are offering. I get the wholesale price for flats so it is more economical for me to buy rather than to start my own. Of course some things are not available so I do start some from seeds myself.

What a lovely improvement, Padre!

Really beautiful Padre!

Nicely done, Padre, but I'm afraid those brug people have gotten to you ! lol Do you need some rose cuttings, just to even it out a bit??

Padre, you have created a beautiful garden! However, I see no Chilean species LOL. Can I send you some seeds?

Beautiful job Padre

Padre, you've outdone yourself. This is beautiful.

Padre, this is an absolute gorgeous garden now. I would imagine that the other priests are loving what you have done to this site too. Are there any benches there for people to sit on to enjoy your efforts?

It is incredible to me that it has only been a year to make it look this great. You are truly an asset to your neighborhood.

Wow Padre! What a glorious site for those in the city to see! You have done an amazing job - can't believe it is just a year.
Congratulations on providing not only a beautiful garden but also one that I am sure provides serenity and joy to those who behold it during their busy NY day.When I worked in a large city for several years I made sure on my walk home (although out of my way) to walk by a garden someone had so loving prepared as you have for the rest of the world to enjoy. It was the highlight of my day in the city as I am sure your garden is to many. Love those brugs!
Dianne

WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!! GREAT JOB!! :)

Susan

Padre, how do you keep those brugs from freezing? Jeanette

All the brugs were wintered over in my greenhouse. This winter a grower about 50 miles north will let me put some trees in one of his greenhouses and let me use mine for seedlings and cuttings.

oh my god... can I come stay with you? I will do all your yard work

ely

Just Beautiful :))

Oh Padre...Beautiful!
I've Watched Your Picture Postings From Receiving the Use of the Greenhouse...
To Cleaning the Inside and Making it Useable...
To the Pictures of All the Brug Cuttings in the Gallon Pots in the Greenhouse.
I Even Remember the Picture of You with that Big Tall Brug Tree that You Received From Someone at the Round-Up.

You Have Done a Fantastic Job in Improving the Areas in Which You Live and Work.
I Know Your Proudest Moments are in Your Pictures!
I Hope You Receive Much Praise!
You are a Gardener Blessed!

This message was edited Aug 17, 2004 1:43 AM

Thank you for the many compliments. My great consolation is seeing the flowers bloom, each in their own season. Just to be in the garden with a lovely flower is to be aware of the great beauty in the world. It helps reduce the depression brought on by the wretched state of the world today, both overseas and at home. After the storm the sun comes out and the flowers get on with their role of just being beautiful and hoping that someone notices. I notice and it blesses my day.

Isn't that the truth!!