When an avid, but amateur, gardener takes on planting in Brooklyn's street tree beds, mistakes are definitely going to be made. And in the 5 years that the South Midwood Pollinators have been doing this, I have made dozens. But gardeners learn from the mistakes and here is some of what my mistakes have taught me. Exuberant asters and goldenrod mean less dog traffic and less litter. People respect Flowers When I started our work on the Foster Avenue Greenway project, winter

Native bees feeding on abundant purple Asters in a Foster Avenue tree pit . . Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) dancing in the wind above parked cars . . . These happy scenes are a far cry from the litter and dog waste that has long populated the tree beds of this very busy transit and pedestrian thoroughfare. Now in the third year of its multi-year project, the South Midwood Pollinators' Foster Avenue Greenway is coming into its own, with evergreen plantings and ho

We’re thrilled to share that the South Midwood Pollinators have received a $2,500 grant from the City Parks Foundation to support the construction of tree guards to protect new street trees throughout our neighborhood! Foster Avenue tree guard, installed 11/1/25. This funding will help us launch a program to protect vulnerable street trees—many of which suffer from soil compaction, damage from vehicles, dog waste, and loss of healthy growing space. The new guards will safe

Phase 2 of the five-year Foster Avenue Greenway Project was completed on Saturday, Nov. 1. And Foster Avenue is looking pretty spiffy!! In the days preceding the Phase 2 work day, significant prep was required. For example, concrete in some of the tree pits had to be broken up and removed. Hard-as-a-rock soil was softened and loosened. The prep work paid off: Nine tree guards were added; two to the Phase 1 block between Ocean and E21, and seven to the Phase 2 block. More tha

Daffodils bloom in the spring protected by a new tree guard, built by South Midwood volunteers. The South Midwood Pollinators believe...

As required by New York State, the South Midwood Pollinators held its annual meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Several major items...