Posts categorized as Gardening

I was walking back from the YMCA last week and noticed the dandelions have flowered. Time to forage in the great wilderness, or as I like to call it, the median of Shore Front Parkway. I know what you’re thinking, “Gross!! Dogs pee there!!” Whatever. I bet gophers pee on asparagus and kale in the organic farms. Either way, I still feel natural, locally grown foods are healthier for us than the pre-packaged produce in the supermarket. God knows what they spray on those greens! Besides, germs make your immune […]

Here’s a recap of the best instagrams of last week. If you want the day to day follow me here! Last Thursday I was cleaning out the backyard. We have a bunch of scrap wood and concrete bits that need to go. Obama was so adorable just hanging out with me in this planter. He’s a good cat! I like to drive fast Italian cars when I’m on Lawng Island #Maserati This week I noticed many daffodils have bloomed in Rockaway. There seems to be many more this year than last. So beautiful!

I’m getting a strange feeling that at the Parks Dept. quarterly round table, while deciding what trees to plant near the new boardwalk someone said, “Lets plant black pines and junipers for Rockaway resident Paula DiGioia, she loves Christmas and booze!” If only our climate allowed for grapevines… I’ve been walking to the YMCA when the weather permits and I’ve noticed new tree plantings around the boardwalk, from 90th-70th. It’s the dead of winter, but the weather has been mild. I’m guessing that’s why the Parks Dept. decided to get’em in! Props to Parks! […]

Last November I wrote about the tree the city finally planted in my sidewalk tree pit. It wasn’t doing well despite my daily watering and compost. I hadn’t given up on it, I was planning on trimming the tree next spring and giving it another year but the city came and pulled it out this week! I don’t get the tree planting system – the money it must cost the city in contracts! The tree didn’t look good when we got it, is there any oversight? Now I’m left with this! Anyway, the contractor […]

If you remember, in the spring we implemented Cousin Lesley’s garden design –  the flower beds thrived and looked beautiful all summer. In fact, it still looks great now. But one thing was missing – the magical Foxtail Lily. This floral is a bulb, so I couldn’t plant it until now! As the common name dictates, this plant looks like a fox’s tail. It’s stunning with an impressive hight up to 8 feet! It is native to semi-desert areas in Asia – so perfect for the sandy soil conditions in Rockaway. I’ve never […]

Very proud of my Mother-in-law Maureen (and Tomato Gal contributor!). She’s been recognized in The Wave for her dedicated service in the beatification of Veterans’ Circle. Check it out! Photo Credit Dan Brown: https://www.facebook.com/skininkmag    

Matt came across this article and I wanted to share it with you. I had know idea that a fig was actually a flower and that it is pollinated by only one type of tiny insect, it’s fascinating! All kinds of critters, not only humans, frequent fig trees, but the plants owe their existence to what may be evolution’s most intimate partnership between two species. Because a fig is actually a ball of flowers, it requires pollination to reproduce, but, because the flowers are sealed, not just any bug can […]

The Beach 91st Street Community Garden is in full season. I wanted to share some photos of the delicious foods growing inside. But first, note the beautiful new fence that has replaced the plywood, which was barely standing for quite some time. Before… After! The group organized a go fund me to help with the cost and members installed the fence last weekend. Thanks guys! So what’s growing? A few garden members are growning corn! And red leaf lettuce. Beautiful purple tomatoes… I believe these are indigo rose? Japanese greens – I had to […]

Here’s Part 2 of the garden build out. As I mentioned in my previous post, Cousin Lesley and I worked together on the design of the garden. I explained to her what I envisioned – an organic feel, lots of color, and blooms all season. I needed a path to access the water source on the side of the house. And of course, It was essential to have The Virgin Mother incorporated in a prominent location. Lesley and I both agreed on choosing plants that would thrive in a coastal landscape, which in turn would support the native ecosystems in […]

Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William) – I clipped these from the garden over a week ago and they’re still looking beautiful. I’ve seen them in my neighbor’s yards as well. These European natives thrive in Rockaway Queens. The color of Sweet William ranges from deep pinks and purples to light pinks and white. Athough they’re know as a perennial, I believe they were in a wildflower mix I had purchased and sprinkled on the front garden, the first summer we had the house (2014). Coolest thing is, they’re edible! Taste Test…. Edible Flower – Sweet William […]