As summer begins, guidance on caring for neglected tree plots

Text by Donald Davis 

Photos by Kelley Ryan 

As spring draws to a close and summer begins, the sidewalk tree garden in front of 97 Saint Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue is doing well. 

The plot is dominated by tall ryegrass. Interspersed are a number of sunflowers approaching three feet tall, as well as the smaller cosmos plants and bachelor buttons.

This plot is an experiment of sorts, as earlier EV Grieve posts explained (here and here). 

The constant burrowing of rats has created a situation across the East Village and beyond, where many volunteer farmers have given up and installed small-hole mesh, or in many cases, gravel or cement over the soil. Sometimes, large rodent bait stations are placed in the tree bed. Yet, the burrowing and holes persist, the flying dirt destroying seedlings.

In working toward a solution, the 97 Saint Mark's gardeners laid chicken wire directly atop the soil and planted seeds in the hexagons of the chicken wire, as previously described. (A series of window boxes at 248 E. Seventh St. also demonstrates successful use of this technique.)

When recent photos of this project were presented to the NYC Rat Portal, a city government site for rat control, the response was: "Chicken wire is not recommended as rats can widen the openings and squeeze through."

Our response was: "Not only have they not done so in the case of 97, it would be impossible for a rat to get into position to squeeze through chicken wire placed directly on a soil bed."

In fact, rats will dig down and throw dirt (mostly just for fun, it seems — though we have pulled decayed rat fetuses out of dead-end tunnels using our bare hands) only when it is easy to do. We have not heard back from the portal, although we continue to listen to gardeners seeking solutions. 

Our hope is that in time — possibly with the use of our method — we will see some of the abandoned plot projects restored and the streets greener. Next spring is not soon enough.

The first step, if you wish to claim a spot (encouraged by the city and landlords), is to clear out the rocks (if this is one of those failed attempts at rat control). Build a fence if one does not already exist. The best start for fencing is the short iron (usually three-sided) variety that the city and tree organizations have installed around many plots. These can be extended higher (and the fourth side completed) with softer fencing from hardware stores. 

As for the chicken wire: because the plots are four feet wide, two rows of standard 24-inch wire side by side fit perfectly. The best means for tacking down the mesh are standard wood shims, available in large packs at low cost, also at hardware stores. Once the mesh is installed (takes only a couple of hours, the tree snug in the middle), you can plant seeds in the hexagons. 

While individual laying of seeds may seem tedious, it is a good tedious. The process actually takes only a short afternoon and is also an excellent way to space the plants. In one situation, we have two sunflowers that are growing next to each other from adjacent hexagons, and they seem to be doing very well. (Though the plants are large, sunflower roots tend straight down with less side branching, which helps.) 

It is not too late this year to begin planting. Many plants thrive during the summer and fall. In November, for example, you can plant a winter crop such as winter ryegrass, which will survive close to the ground. What is important from the standpoint of nature is to keep a cover on the soil. The nurturing of underground fungi among plant roots will do the hard work for you, restoring health to your soil. 

We adhere to the regenerative agriculture principle of minimal soil disruption. We have never turned the soil (plowed). A question may be what to do with a surface that is barren and hard and suffering from foot traffic/dogs and appears lifeless. This is a first-year decision you will have to make before laying down the chicken wire. 

Our recommendation: if there is any significant plant activity (weeds, etc.) or there has been growth within the last year or so, you can leave the soil undisturbed. Otherwise, a light turning of the soil can be done — and with your planting work, nature will, in time, take over the underground for you.