What's The Deal With Roosevelt Island Garden Club And Advice On Balcony/Terrace Gardening

You Tube Video of Monarch Butterfly at Roosevelt Island Community Garden

Responding to this recent post on the "Steaming Pile of Dung" RIOC President Steve Shane advised:

Even city folks should be able to tell the difference between "dung" which is always of animal origin and "mulch" which is almost always vegetable material.

As one of those "City Folk" who did not know the difference between the two, I thought there might be some other Roosevelt Islanders who might want to learn more about gardening. By coincidence, I had previously asked Mr. Shane about the Roosevelt Island Garden Club that is located between Manhattan Park and the Octagon Building.

I have had several inquiries regarding how one joins the Garden Club and gets a plot of land? Are there any guidelines as to who and how long one gets to keep a plot of land for gardening? Who makes those decisions RIOC or some other entity? Did not see anything on RIOC web site about this.

Mr. Shane replied:

I think the subject is shrouded in the fog of time, but will make inquiry. RIOC has no role in the administration of the garden or the club.

The next day, Mr. Shane followed up:

See statement on p.28 of the HOT Guide:

"Roosevelt Island Community Garden: The Community Garden, just north of the soccer field, has 139 plots on less than 2 acres of land. Membership is $35 per year. To sign up for the waiting list, mail P.O. Box 127, RI, NY 10044. There are about 6 plots available per year. Tools are available in a shed at the garden for members. Trees are forbidden, and gardens that are not maintained are grounds for expulsion from the club. The garden is open for visitors during the day and can be accessed by members with a key during off-hours."

Good job by the Hot Guide in ferreting out this information!

Roosevelt Island 360 discovers that at one time the Garden Club, not RIOC, may have governed Roosevelt Island.

Image from Roosevelt Island 360

For those that just want to do some gardening on their terrace, balcony or patio, the New York Times had some recent advice:

...One of your most important goals should be to protect your plants against the elements. Wind is the main enemy of an elevated garden. Summer storms can cause lasting damage by breaking limbs, drying out soil and knocking over pots, while icy winter gales can freeze and desiccate leaves.Be aware of where the prevailing wind usually comes from — off a river or through a wind tunnel. Create a barrier on that side with a hedge or a more informal windbreak, preferably evergreens like hollies, which will ground the garden aerie visually and make it more inviting year-round....

Manhattan Park Balcony Sought For Babysitting Plants and Containers

You Tube video of Plant Container Tips

A new Manhattan Park resident is seeking temporary storage space for her plants on a neighbor's balcony. She writes:

I'm moving to RI on Monday, September 30. The apartment from which I'm moving has a balcony but was I not able to get a balcony apt. at Manhattan Parks - yet.. I'm on the wait list for one. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if there is a RI resident who has a an empty balcony and who would want to "babysit" my outdoor plants. I don't care if the plants die. I would like to keep the containers and would prefer to have them outdoors. I'll pay a maintenance fee.

Apartment Therapy has some good tips on setting up your balcony for plants and other folding chars:

... One large and taller planter (or something built to fit the space) may be good to use in the trapezoid corners of the balcony, be a good anchor for the small pots, and help your plants overwinter better.
You may also want to go vertical with either hanging tomato planters(I've heard some varieties can actually do well in northern light) or something that will trail upwards (morning glories, squash) on a lattice or wire trellis against the wall space.
Plants and pots on balconies can freeze - but putting them on top of a blanket or a cushion of mulch when the weather gets cold, and also shielding them from wind and rain, will help them survive to come back next spring...