September Weekends in the Garden

I’ve been lucky enough to spend the past two Saturdays in the community garden and I’d like to share some photos and notes. Last week, I was going to send out an email as a follow-up to my Bee Careful post about the ground-dwelling bees near the garden entrance, where the bench used to be. (Thanks to Gardener Lily for moving it so people seated at the bench aren’t surprised by the bees, or vice-versa.)

I thought I’d unearthed another bee dwelling last Saturday while weeding the path by the birdbath, when I found myself suddenly surrounded by about eight bees. None of them stung me, but they seemed to be letting me know that it would be in my best interest to move along and leave that area alone. This week, I returned and weeded that area with no bee interference, but in several other areas, I would weed for about 10 minutes before bees would come by and chase me away. I did I lot of shrieking and running around today. So if you see half-weeded areas, throughout the garden, that was me, being afraid of the little bees. (My boyfriend thinks it’s hilarious that I love to garden but am afraid of bees. “You’re outside,” he once reminded me. “They live here.”)

The bees don’t seem particularly aggressive, but it seems as if they’re guarding the ground. All of it. They seem to prefer the sunshine, so it helps to weed in shady spots. (With this option, I had all my blood drained from me by the mosquitoes. If you’re curious as to Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears, I recommend the children’s book that was read to me as a little tyke at the public library. It left quite an impression on me for me to remember it 30 years later.)

This belongs to the bees.

This also belongs to the bees.

Everything belongs to the bees.

Anyway, if you’re in the garden, just be mindful of the bees. I suppose it's possible I'm misinterpreting their intentions, and they're the world's friendliest bees. They buzzed around me all day, including when I was cleaning up a giant pile of poop in the grass. If there’s something I like less than cleaning up poop of mysterious origins, I’m not sure what it is. Aside from mystery poop, the past few Saturdays have been absolutely lovely.

Remember that the 2nd annual Bulb, Bake and Band Bonanza Garden Fundraiser is Saturday, October 18 (rain date is Sunday, October 19)! The bulbs have been chosen, and it’s a lovely selection! —Josie

Asters.

Bumblebees enjoying the hollyhock.

The migrating ceramic dove seems to have found a feather.

Mum season! 

Tomorrow: Summit Street Garden Workday and The Amazing Garden's Sandwich Contest

Our community garden neighbors are having their annual Best Grilled Sandwich in Brooklyn Contest tomorrow, September 20, at 3 pm in The Amazing Garden, at the corner of Columbia and Carroll streets. The $15 donation to the garden earns you a vote (and sandwiches, of course) from three local eateries: Bar Bruno Mexican Bistro, Vekslers and Henry Public. Each restaurant will offer sandwiches both for carnivores and vegetarians. Plus there's live music with guest emcee Amy Eddings of WNYC. Kids get in for free.

And don't forget that tomorrow in the Summit Street Garden, there's a meeting at 11 am, followed by a workday. Work up an appetite in our garden, then head over to The Amazing Garden for sandwiches!

Bee Careful!

Several gardeners have noticed a bee or wasp hideout near the bench by the front gate, where there seems to be a lot of bee activity. (Appropriately, these ground-dwelling bees seem to have set up camp by the bee balm.) Lots of bees are good for the garden, so just exercise caution while in this area.