Plants & Gardens Blog

Even very small patches of plants help attract pollinators and other wildlife to cities. This is no surprise to Greenest Block in Brooklyn organizers and participants. Read › Small Gardens and Tiny Greenspaces Attract City Wildlife

Left alone, curly dock will grow four feet or taller and produce thousands of seeds, which can spread via wind and water and passing animals. Read › Weed of the Month: Curly Dock

This pungent plant sprouts early, then lies in wait for next spring. Read › Weed of the Month: Wild Garlic

Test your knowledge with these four questions about urban gardening. Read › Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Gardening In the City?

Yellow wood-sorrel, sometimes called sourgrass, is ubiquitous in lawns and gardens. Learn about its exploding seeds and its nighttime sleep habit. Read › Weed of the Month: Yellow Wood-Sorrel

Giant hogweed is a beautiful but noxious weed that can cause painful blisters and even blindness. Learn how to identify it! Read › Weed of the Month: Giant Hogweed

Mullein has lovely, fuzzy leaves and tall flower stalks that attract plenty of pollinators. Historically, it's been used for all sorts of things—people once lined their shoes with the soft leaves, and fisherman dropped the seeds into the water to intoxicate fish! Read › Weed of the Month: Mullein

Look for signs of microscopic life in the Garden and beyond. Read › Pondlife: How to Spot Microbes

Beware! Stinging nettle lives up to its name. This common weed's tiny, needlelike hairs contain irritating compounds. Woe to those who touch it. Read › Weed of the Month: Stinging Nettle

Spring came late to Brooklyn this year, and so did the cherry blossoms. Globally, though, April was the third warmest on record. Studying how plants and animals respond to climate variations may be help experts adapt and remain resilient. Read › Climate Change in Brooklyn: Spring