Queens Botanical Garden Grows, Even In Winter

While winter officially began last week, the Queens Botanical Garden is looking forward to spring. Here's a sampling of what’s blooming at QBG from January through March.

February (Private)

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia), Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica), winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

March

Cornelian cherry, crocus, Siberian squill, forsythia, glory of the snow, winterhazel, PJM rhododendron, Japanese skimmia

Adult Workshops

Hardhat Tour of Queens Botanical Garden's Sustainable Landscapes and Buildings Project

Thursday, January 5, 2006, 4 p.m.

Fee: Free

Enjoy an exclusive construction tour followed by a Q&A session. This project is a pilot for the New York City High Performance Building program and when completed, will feature a green roof, rainwater and gray water harvest and reuse, solar and geothermal systems and much much more.

Winter Nature Walk

Saturday, January 7, 2006, 1 p.m.

Fee: $5

A guided tour through the Queens Botanical Garden to explore the many ways animals find shelter from harsh winter weather in a crowded city. Observe the many adaptations animals and plants use to survive. Learn some naturalist skills like winter tree identification, and animal tracking in the snow and hear some Iroquois folk tales.

After the walk, warm up with some hot chocolate or tea and cookies and craft a pinecone bird feeder.

New Year Can of Worms–Indoor Composting with Worms

Sunday, February 5, 2006, 11 a.m.

Fee: No charge*

$10 fee for optional supplies provides worm bin and voucher for a pound of Red Wiggler worms.

Start the New Year with a worm bin! With the help of red wiggler worms you can recycle your kitchen scraps and other select organic trash into one of the richest soil amendments—vermicompost, to use on indoor and outdoor plants. Light refreshments will be served.

Celebrate the Full Worm Moon

Sunday, March 12, 2006, 1p.m.

Fee: No Charge*

Sit with your loved ones and share refreshments as well as the experience of a reading from the Native American children’s story, Full Worm Moon. Afterwards, take a worm walk and learn how people are employing certain types of worms as recyclers.

Natural Lawn Care

Saturday, March 25 2006, 11 am,

Fee: No charge*

Spring is a critical time for lawns. Before you do anything be sure to attend this program and learn how to grow and maintain a green and healthy lawn that will stay green throughout the summer.

Master Composter Certification Program

Tuesdays: March 14 through May 9, 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Have fun and make new friends while helping your community. Become a NYC Certified Master Composter and spread compost know-how to people in Queens.

Classes are fun and hands-on. Space is limited. Application deadline is February 24.

*Note: These workshops are provided at no charge or for a nominal fee, thanks to funding provided by the city Department of Sanitation.

To register for any workshop, call 718-886-3800 ext. 222.

For information on free compost givebacks and compost bin sales as well as compost and lawn care questions check out www.nyccompost.org or call the Queens Compost Help Line at 718-539-5296.