Category Archives: Wildlife

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

The Rooftop Growing Guide

Posted on February 10, 2016 by batteryrooftopgarden

Since the 18th century the country’s heartland has sprouted a hardy crop of farmer philosophers. The 21st century Brooklyn-based example of this great American type is Annie Novak. Her new book, The Rooftop Growing Guide (Ten Speed Press, available February … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Soil, Structure, Urban Agriculture and Food Policy, Vegetables, Wildlife | 1 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

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

Panspermia: “Life Everywhere”

Posted on September 27, 2010 by batteryrooftopgarden

The Battery Rooftop Gardener worried whether insects necessary for pollination and other lifeforms would find their way to the 35th floor.  Experts advised that insects would not travel more than 11 stories vertically without a green place to rest.  Such worries … Continue reading →

Posted in Wildlife | 1 Comment