Category Archives: Biodiversity

Pollinators for Urban Gardens: The Case for Hole-Nesting Native Bees

Posted on May 18, 2016 by batteryrooftopgarden

Note from the Battery Rooftop Gardener: Crown Bees, which bills itself as the “The Gentle Bee Company,” is a solitary bee (mason and leafcutters) company based in Woodinville, WA that advocates using managed native bees for pollinating fruits and vegetables (see http://www.crownbees.com … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Urban Agriculture and Food Policy, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Bugs

Posted on July 29, 2013 by batteryrooftopgarden

Between late May and late October 2012, Jeremy Law, a graduate student in the Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology Department at Columbia University, conducted a study of arthropod diversity at Battery Rooftop Garden.  Guests visiting during last summer noticed bowls … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Wildlife | 2 Comments

It’s about time

Posted on July 23, 2013 by batteryrooftopgarden

Mea culpa.   Your blogger has no good excuse for his long silence.   Here is an update in three parts:  fruit, vegetables and horticulture. 1.  Fruit Report What a difference a year makes.   The previously parsimonious Moonglow pear, offering … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpines in the Secret Garden, Apples, Biodiversity, Blueberries, European Pears, Malabar Spinach, Nectarines, Non-edible Bulbs, Non-edible Perennials, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes | 2 Comments

Hic sunt dracones

Posted on July 11, 2012 by batteryrooftopgarden

Or, “Here be dragons,” for those readers whose Latin is a bit rusty.   Yes, right here at Battery Rooftop Garden, on the 35th floor in the heart of downtown Manhattan.  Spotted and photographed by Jeremy Law, this dragon is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Design, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Bugs on the Roof: Pollinator Diversity

Posted on May 31, 2012 by batteryrooftopgarden

Visitors to BRTG could be forgiven for thinking that some late-night fresh-mint-mojito-fueled madness had resulted in the plastic drinks cups scattered across the garden, curiously half-buried in the soil: But they would be wrong.  One of the arguments for urban green roofs is … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Design, Soil, Urban Agriculture and Food Policy, Wildlife | 4 Comments