Since two were stolen a few days ago, pretty much nobody has messed with my garden. Some punk pushed the blocks onto the plants again, but they’re tough little things, and they fluffed right back up. They’re really starting to thrive and spread to cover the bare-ass dirt around the tree, which is also starting to grow really quickly.
My friend Yury who lives downstairs said maybe it’s because they’re getting used to it. A little garden full of actual living things is no longer an oddity.
I think the garden is here to stay. I’m still planning on buying a fence. I leave nothing to chance.
Armstrong May 1st, 2007 at 8:09 am
Sorry to hear about your plants. Keep it up though. Where do you live? I just moved to Starr Street on the park. I first moved to Bushwick in 2000. It’s gotten better and it does pay to be careful. I was held up at gunpoint once. That hasn’t stopped me from loving the neighborhood though.
Jeremy May 1st, 2007 at 8:17 am
I’m at Central and Troutman. Man, the view out your windows right now must be pretty great, with all the green coming in at the park. I just have a few scraggly little trees to look at. :-D
Armstrong May 1st, 2007 at 8:50 am
Really? I’m currently at Stanhope off of Central. My current landlord is selling the building, hence my move to Starr Street, ultimately for the best as the new apartment is rent stabilized (back in school and in no position currently to buy) so I feel more secure in terms of the lease. I feel good about Bushwick right now. I’ve lived here long enough to have “paid some dues” and I think the mix of new money and long term residents will be a good thing. Bushwick has one of the largest concentrations of rent-stabilized housing in the city so it won’t be possible for it to be bulldozed by gentrification in the space of 3 years as Williamsburg was, a good thing. At the same time, a little gentrification would be a plus as the neighborhood’s current aesthetics and economics leave a lot to be desired. Are you the “blog-master” here Jeremy? I’m always searching for new Bushwick info on the net, a couple of other good sources:
http://www.citynoise.org/search/bushwick
http://thebushwickstarr.org/
http://a.theoretic.org/starr/index.html
http://www.the-wick.com/index.htm
Jeremy May 1st, 2007 at 9:15 am
I like Bushwick a lot, but I definitely would like a heavy dose of gentrification up in here. I love Knickerbocker but it could use some restaurants absent of formica. I love MY bodega but why does there have to be one on EVERY corner ripping EVERYONE off? I’d like a lot more anemities and a lot less trash tornadoes. A lot more people who sweep their stoops and keep their houses free of graffiti. I don’t particularly care WHO it is that does that, but let’s face it — the current batch ain’t. And not only are they not, they’re keeping me from doing it…maybe in an effort to stave of gentrification?
I added your links in a post on the general board on the forum.
Matt May 1st, 2007 at 9:31 am
Stay strong plants! Glad to hear someone else is beautifying. We live on Starr, just off central and we’ve had our own glory and woes with flower boxes. Last year someone decided it was a good idea to steal an entire flower box from our fence. Even though it was early October and the flowers were not long for this world. Enjoy, losers.
And the year before we had some random flowers plucked out. So last year, and in the coming years, we will only be planting cheap and pretty stuff like petunias. All the really good stuff remains in the backyard oasis :)
Armstrong May 1st, 2007 at 9:35 am
I hear you and on the one hand, TOTALLY agree. Yet not respecting the people that are already here (and I don’t like their values or lifestyle much either), only creates more tension. I understand your feelings and often wonder: how does one respect people who seem disrespectful? I just try and keep in mind that they were here before me, so I’m friendly and mind my own business. We (hipsters/professionals) are often not seen as beneficial but rather as invaders, raising the rent. I do call 311 frequently about noise. There is a party every night in front of my house on Stanhope. It’s been a nightmare and I’m glad I’m moving. It’s actually quieter at my apartment on the park! 311 really doesn’t do much good, in terms of getting a response. The number for the Police Precinct house is: 718-574-1605. Call them for a more immediate response. As for your noble flowers, I’m not sure what to recommend except to NOT give up. Happy planting.
Armstrong May 1st, 2007 at 9:38 am
PS. Let’s get this blog on GOOGLE. I only found it via Brownstoner!
Dewfloppy May 14th, 2007 at 7:44 am
I came across your blog while researching sidewalk gardens. I’m in California and if somebody dares to harm my little sidwalk babies I’ll just add some cactus :D Kudos to you for being determined and beautifying your little corner of the world. Good luck to you!