Here are some before and after photos at the Project Bloom Community Garden. It is coming along beautifully, and I am so proud of our progress. We also received a brand new sign for the garden from KIC! There are many plants in bloom at the moment as well. Check out how pretty the roses along the Greenhouse wall are!
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Vegetable Bed Cleanup Progress
We are still hoping to complete this Vegetable garden cleanup by Earth Day, so that the gardeners can get started planting vegetables. Bob and Ed Quinn have been making great progress in the community Garden. The two of them have been working alone to clear out the old wood and debris in the beds. They are trying to get it in better shape before the KIC junior commissioners come for the clean up day on Sunday April 19th. We are so happy to have these high school students adopt our spot for their community volunteer effort this spring. Two of the largest beds have been rebuilt and placed into their new positions. We are still searching for cedar to rebuild the remaining 25 beds if anyone knows of a source….
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Renovate Memorial Garden
Project Bloom is renovating a memorial garden located on the Northwest corner of the parking lot. It was placed in honor of Gail, a fellow Project Bloom gardener. In the center of the garden, there is a Weeping Cherry Tree. There is also two stone benches and stepping stones that says “This Garden is Dedicated To Gail Pulaski Tedor, Whose Light Continues To Shine In Beauty For All of Us Who Loved Her To See.”
The leaning pear tree in the parking lot is in full bloom, and the weeping cherry in the memorial garden is flowering.
Winter View of bent Pear Tree
View of memorial garden from gravel road. Weeping Cherry tree in center. Photo is from late March 2015 before the stones edge and flowering bulbs were added
Although neglected and full of celandine weed, the area has stone benches and a memorial path with a view of the adjacent lake.
The Stepping Stones
This Garden is Dedicated To
Gail Pulaski Tedor
Whose Light Continues to Shine
In Beauty
For All of Us
Who Loved Her
To See
Bob added a Low stone edge and snowdrops to delineate the memorial garden.
Stones passing between benches
View of wall and bulbs from northwest side
Inside the Greenhouse
The 2015 Project Bloom Greenhouse Season is off to a good start. We have over 6000 plants started already. Bob built us new riser shelves for the Northeast and Southeast corners to give us more real estate for flats. So far we have Alyssum, Zinnia, Lupines, Coreopsis, Coleus and Sunflowers starting. We hope to cover the Project Bloom gardens with flowers this year!
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Spirea Hedgerow and Curb
We installed some 6×6 timbers to act as a curb for the gravel roadway and planted a run of Bridal wreath spires. The wood was donated by one of Project Bloom’s members, Steve. Thank you Steve! Along the curb we will plant a line of Spirea hedges. Project Bloom Renovation is in full effect, and we can’t wait for the end result! It will be a great community space for gardening!
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Compost Area Cleanup
KIC arranged to have compost and wood chips delivered to the site for use by the community vegetable gardeners. The area was full of tall weeds, but we were able to clear a large area for the delivery and we are very happy to have our first load of compost to start the season. Later, we will try and hide the area from view a little by planting a beautiful Forsythia hedge in front of the pile.
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Community Vegetable Garden Renovation
The Grounds of Brookwood Hall, used to be the home of a historic orphanage. Now the grounds are used for many things, including the Project Bloom community garden beds. The beds are hard to get to with equipment like wheelbarrows, so many of them have become overgrown and full of weeds. Our plan is to re-divide the beds and renovate the space to beautify the area.
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Brookwood Hall Park Cleanup & Gardening Day!
This year on April 22nd, Keep Islip Clean (KIC) and Project Bloom Master Gardeners are hosting a cleanup at Brookwood Hall Park! Everyone is welcome, from Scout groups to local gardeners! It is from 9AM until 5PM, everyone should meet at Brookwood Hall on Irish Lane and Montauk Highway in East Islip. For more information call the Islip Arts Council at 631-224-5420 or KIC at 631-224-2627.
Silver Trowel Award
I was very honored to receive the silver trowel award from the Long Island Master Gardeners at our last monthly meeting. I was really surprised and touched by the recognition.
Brentwood Rotary Club Bed
The Triangle shaped plot of land located at Candlewood and Commack Road in Brentwood is where the Brentwood Rotary Club planted their flowers. It is a small bed, with sunflowers, allysum, and zinnias. Unfortunately, this was the only picture we were able to capture with the sun receding so quickly. However, the flowers were beautiful and tended to nicely.
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Abrew Street and Brook Avenue Garden
One of the stops on the Project Bloom tour was located at the corner of Abrew Street and Brook Avenue in Bay Shore. The flowers that were planted here were hostas, zinnias, strawflowers and marigolds. All the flowers were bright and looked like they were tended to accordingly. The flowers were planted between the Hostas, so when they were in full bloom they looked as if they were coming from the Hostas themselves!
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Northeast Elementary Beds
One of the schools that received plants from Project Bloom, was Northeast Elementary School in Brentwood. They received marigolds, and zinnias. There was a lot of weeds, but it was still nice to see. It’s always refreshing when a school implements a gardening program into after school activities. It gives kids something fun to do while being outside.
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West Islip Beautification Society Beds at West Islip Marina
West Islip Beautification Society planted flowers from project bloom. Their bed is located at Reflection Park at West Islip Marina (past Our Lady of Consolation), located next to the playground. They received portulaca, and marigolds. They have great beds with daylilies and hostas, and also had impressive geranium planters. The geraniums grown inside the planters were red, white and blue- how patriotic!
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All American Auto Bed
All American Auto in West Islip has beautified their front area with strawflowers and zinnias. Directly under the business sign, was large pink strawflowers and bright marigolds. There was also large Hostas, that were in full bloom with tall purple flowers. The bright flowers looked so nice against the green of the bushes and the grass.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
Bay Shore Lion’s Club Lighthouse bed
Located at Lighthouse Island on Fifth Avenue, in Bay Shore is Bay Shore’s Lions Club’s bed. They have nice daisies and Russian sage. There is a lot of allysum, some zinnias, strawflowers, and cosmos. All of their flowers looked very healthy, and made the lighthouse look spectacular. There was a plethora of daisies, that looked like waves of yellow under the lighthouse.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
East Islip Yacht Sales Beds
East Islip Yacht Sales had a small planter box by the flagpole in between Park and Ocean in Bay Shore. There was also another bed at Seaborn Marina on Ocean Ave, just north of the Bay Shore ferries, underneath the sign. The flowers really stand out at the marina under the sign amongst all the greenery.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credit: Joanna Kane
East Islip Community Watch Bed
East Islip Community Watch received flowers from Project Bloom for the growing season. Some flowers that were planted in this bed are tall strawflowers, foxglove, deep purple coleus, alyssum, beautiful swiss chard, and ageratum. The Swiss Chard was very impressive. There was so much lush greenery in this bed, it was astounding. They showcased the flowers from us very well.
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Islip High School KIC Club Beds
Islip High School’s KIC (Keep Islip Clean) Club planted flowers inside the school’s courtyard, and also outside the front of the school. In the courtyard, the students planted some basil, zinnias, and foxglove. In the front of the school was some Giant Red Celosia. The high school’s KIC Club did such a wonderful job, that it made it onto the “Top Garden’s Tour” that Project Bloom had for it’s members in August. Well done Islip High School KIC Club!
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
Northeast Neighborhood Watch Gardens
One bed that we visited was by the Northeast Neighborhood Watch. They had such a large area, and did a great job using it to their advantage. Although some of the plants were not ours, they had some fantastic sunflowers, and some fun whimsical touches. The Northeast Neighborhood Watch did such a wonderful job, that they were included on the Project Bloom “Top Garden’s Tour” in August.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
Cherokee Street School Garden Club Bed
Cherokee Street School Garden Club planted flowers in their front courtyard at the school with a large bed in the middle. They grew marigolds, and had a single coleus plant sitting in the shade. It’s such a great thing to see when schools have a garden club implemented into after school activities. It gives the kids something fun to do while being outside.
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The Common Ground Garden
The Common Grounds in Sayville planted strawflowers, allysum, and marigolds. But these beautiful beds were mostly perennial flowers, not grown in our greenhouse. All the flowers were tall and vibrant and gave The Common Grounds such a tranquil feeling. Their pink strawflowers grew strong and tall, they were so pretty to look at. The pink color almost seemed fake.
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Oakdale Improvement Bed
Along Montauk Highway, the Oakdale Improvement team planted a beautiful bed. Located underneath the sign for Norman DeMott Park, across from the Oakdale train station, the group planted Project Bloom’s flowers. The team planted bright portulaca, mixing them in with white alyssum. The color contrast was great, having small pops of color amongst all the greenery.
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Central Islip Civic Council Gardens
Central Islip Civic Council was one of the groups that received flowers and plants from Project Bloom. They had maintained an organic farm with a large flower bed. They grew a large bush of starlight zinnias and had beautiful coneflowers. The swiss chard was very impressive. This garden was beautiful and interesting enough to make it onto the “Top Garden Tour” that Project Bloom members took in August.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
East Islip Community Cleanup Bed
One of the groups that received plants from Project Bloom, was the East Islip Community Cleanup. They planted their flowers beneath the town entrance sign, across from the East Islip Public Library. They received strawflowers and portulaca. The strawflowers grew so nicely! They were tall, and had a deep red color. East Islip Community Watch did so well with their bed that they were included on the “Top Garden Tour” in August.
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
North Great River Civic Association Beds
The beds that were planted by the North Great River Civic Association were very impressive. They planted at two separate locations, and both were equally beautiful. The first bed was a small shade garden that was well kept. It was planted with coleus and alyssum. The second bed was large and full of our marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos and allysum. When we went on our garden tour, these well-maintained beds were most definitely on the list. All members of Project Bloom were very pleased with the North Great River Civic Association. Well done!
[Not a valid template]Photo Credits: Joanna Kane
Planters at Islip Beach
The planters at Islip Town Beach were full of bright flowers and made the boardwalk look cheerful. Their large potted plants overflowed with an abundance of Allysum, ageratum, and Marigolds. There was also shrubs planted by the restaurant. All of these photos were taken at night after having dinner at the Sunset restaurant at the beach (would highly recommend!)
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History of Project Bloom
Project Bloom was created in 1992 with the cooperation of Keep Islip Clean and the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Project Bloom has been used as a creative outlet for gardeners to give back to the community. The volunteers who give their time to Project Bloom, help grow flowers that get spread throughout the community. Currently there are about 16 volunteers. This year, volunteers planted roughly 6,000 plants and flowers throughout the local area. All of which were grown in the greenhouse at Brookwood Hall. 
Project Bloom gives a sense of unity amongst the volunteers. Groups of all ages work with Project Bloom in the beautification of Islip Hamlet.
The Project Bloom Process
The general plan is basically the same for each year that we have Project Bloom. The process starts in January and the season ends in May. In either July or August we tour the garden beds. In December we bring in cuttings of geraniums to start plants for the next spring. This is an overview of the process.
January
Plan out seeds for the year and place the seed order online.
Make sure the greenhouse is sound. All the glass is intact, the heater is working, etc.
Ask the town to order supplies.
200 sets of 6 cell packs, 300 flats with holes, 50 clear lids, and 12 bales of potting soil, 500 4″ pots, disposable gloves (2 boxes of 100), 2000 marker sticks, and 5 sharpies.
Make sure that we have a working hose and spray head. Also hand soap and paper towels.
Take cuttings of geraniums and other annuals.
Dip cuttings in water, then rooting hormone, then place in hole in wet sand or soil, and pack in.
February
Clean greenhouse, and put a plastic tablecloth or tarp beneath the soil area.
Separate 6 packs and fill with moistened mix. Put in flats with holes in the bottom.
Plant seeds according to packet instructions.
Label with sticks and sharpies. Keep text near top of sticks. Include varieties on tags.
Keep track of flats planted, germination dates, and other results on spreadsheet. Maintain weekly updates.
Water flats and keep covered with clear tops until they germinate.
Thin to one seedling per cell when large enough to handle.
Keep fresh transplants out of direct sun.
Water well on Tuesday, Thursday and stop by to check on Sat or Sun.
Spray Dawn on ants (sprayer bottle of water, with 1T of Dawn.)
March and April
Keep planting seeds until about the 3rd week of March, when all seeds should be in.
Keep thinning to one plant per cell. Make sure all 6 packs have labels.
Pinch tall plants after 3rd set of leaves to encourage bushy strong plants.
Fertilize after 2nd set of leaves, and once every 2 weeks. Use about 1/2 strength.
Put large annuals or perennials into 4″ pots to encourage root growth.
Keep sun lovers on top racks. Turn lower rack flats to promote even growth.
Test to see if geraniums have roots and plant in 4″ pots.
Take inventory and plan for giveaway, get estimates of donated perennials.
Mid April: Contact KIC with plant counts for forms.
Water well on Tuesday, Thursday and by stop to check on Sat or Sun.
Clean up and maintain outside area.
Plant any cuttings in water with roots.
May
Bring in unwanted perennials from home gardens: Daylilies, Hostas, Siberian Iris, etc.
Split perennials and wrap in newsprint. Stack in rolled bundles outside and keep moist.
Get sheets back from KIC and separate all plants into groups for orders.
Provide volunteers with some “thank you” plants for their gardens.
Create and print detailed planting instruction sheets to give to people who pick up orders.
Plant annuals around greenhouse beds.
Maintain beds around greenhouse.
June
Get together to celebrate our project and visit a member’s garden.
Maintain beds around greenhouse
July or August
Meet to take a tour of our gardens throughout the community.
Map a road trip from one spot to the next and caravan to view our efforts.
Maintain beds around greenhouse
December
Bring in geranium cuttings to root for next season.
Giants Causeway
Giants Causeway in Ireland is one of the natural wonders in the Northern Ireland. It was created by volcanic activity, and when basalt intruded the volcanic plateau. The basalt pillars that came up from the ground are all hexagon shaped and the highest reaches 39 feet. There are identical pillar sites across the sea, from the same lava field. There is a legend that surrounds the basalt plateau. The mythology is that it was put up so two giants could cross the ocean to fight. The legend also says that the basalt was meant to be a bridge but one giant was scared so he broke the middle.
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Project Bloom’s Top Gardens Tour
In August of 2014 the team of Project Bloom got together and caravaned around Islip Hamlet to look at some of the best garden beds we had seen all season. These beds are maintained by KIC volunteers, and were planted with the flowers grown by us earlier in the year.
The first stop on the tour was to the Welcome sign to East Islip, near the library. Here, the East Islip Community Cleanup planted our plants and beautified beneath the town sign. See more pictures here!
Next, we headed north to Central Islip, to visit the North Great River Civic Association. This group had two beds, both of which were equally impressive and gorgeous. A small shady bed off Connetquot Avenue, and a large impressive triangle at the North end of Connetquot Ave. See more pictures here!
The next bed that Project Bloom visited was planted by the Central Islip Civic Council. They had maintained an organic farm, and had large and vivid bushels of flowers.All of the flowers planted by the Central Islip Civic Council came out very nice. They were very enjoyable to see fully grown. See more pictures here!
The next stop for the caravan, was to see the bed planted by the northeast Neighborhood watch. They had planted a huge bed, that was very nice. See more pictures here!
The next garden we looked at was from the Islip High School KIC (Keep Islip Clean) Club. They had planted some of our flowers in front of the school and also within the school courtyard. See more pictures here!
The final stop on the caravan tour was to see the East Islip Community Watch bed. Their bed was small, but had a lot in it. They had strawflowers, foxglove, big coleus plants, allysum and ageratum. See more pictures here!
Photo Credit: Joanna Kane
Project Bloom location
Project Bloom is located in the Northwest corner of
Brookwood Hall Park, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip, NY 11730
2014 Project Bloom Greenhouse Season
“Project Bloom is a volunteer greenhouse program run through Keep Islip Clean and the Islip Parks Department. We operate out of a greenhouse on the property of Brookwood Hall in East Islip, formerly the Knapp Estate, which was built in the late 1920s. We start seeds in February and in mid-May, we distribute nearly 6000 free plants to 35 groups around town for planting. Enjoy these photos from our 2014 season!”
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