We’ve had a good bit of rain this last week, and it’s helping to keep everything looking bright and verdant.



Sidewalk Greenspace on New York's Upper West Side
We’ve had a good bit of rain this last week, and it’s helping to keep everything looking bright and verdant.



Most of the garden is accessible from the street, but there is one bed that’s behind a locked gate, which is where I’ve placed much of this year’s herbs and vegetables.
It’s just five square feet, so it’s not going to replace many trips to the grocery store, but I’ve crowded a bunch of things in so my neighbors and I can have a couple of tasty nibbles this summer.
From left to right, more or less: bibb lettuce, ghost peppers, sweet banana pepper, chives, two varieties of spinach, basil, habanero peppers, leeks, peppermint, Caribbean red hot peppers, and corn.
(The corn is unlikely to produce any edible ears, as it’s tricky to pollinate in isolation like this, but hopefully it will at least be picturesque.)

The growing season is drawing to an end, but this colorful geranium on the steps of 217 W 106th doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo and is putting on a show amidst the drying grass and slowly-yellowing leaves.

Our garden got badly parched this summer, but it’s managed to bounce back a little as temperatures have dropped from their peaks.



Our hibiscus shrub (aka “Rose of Sharon”) is getting ready to flower for the first time this season.


I love the thistle-like flowers on our burdock plants!

A nice fiery set of pansies has popped out following today’s rain.

I’m really pleased with the way the grapevines and little trees soften the edges of the otherwise-drab fence and stairs in front of our buildings.

I think these might be ready to eat by tomorrow…

The roses are really having a productive season.
