Pure, Unadulterated Joy.

Photos & Caption by Maxwell Laible

“I don’t need to tell you what the Knicks mean to New York. You can see it in the shadowy nosebleeds of MSG and the streets of today’s parade.

Jerseys next to t-shirts next to suits next to sweats next to Yankees next to Mets next to Jets next to old men next to young men next to so ons and so forths.

That in the realm of fake fans and die-hards the only people dying by basketball are still playing in their park courts. That there are no Knicks fans only New Yorkers.”

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Love From the Garden: Savor Summer Blooms, Tend to Autumn Ones Now

Photo of native honeysuckle by Katheryn Laible

Garden Delights

Ahhhh, June! The peonies have passed and the honeysuckle has continued to flourish. I am now enjoying the movements of the spiderwort, while eagerly watching butterfly weed slowly bloom and blackberries ripen. Next, will come the echinacea and joe pye weed, as well as native hydrangea and hibuscus, followed after by ironweed, asters, goldenrod and other autumn blooms… 

What’s blooming? Ripening blackberries, butterflyweed and spiderwort…

Time to Trim the Goldenrod and Asters!

I can’t say for sure which of my many asters have returned yet this year, but I am certainly tending to all them! From now until roughly the 4th of July is the perfect time to significantly cut back fall bloomers such as Agastache, Asters, Eupatorium/Eutrochium, Goldenrod, Helianthus, Heliopsis, Rudbeckia, Solidago, and more…

You can cut them to about 1/3 of their size. Then they’ll be bushier and less likely to be falling all over themselves come autumn!

There are more detailed, professional instructions (and a whole lot more great LI gardening guidance) on Facebook, courtesy of Dropseed Native Landscapes, which is currently offering a 15% off potted plant sale in honor of National Pollinator Week! 

Just about time to cut these babies down to size!

Pretty Poison: Flowers to Pick

Much of what volunteers in the garden these days is invasive ornamental. That tenactity, after all, is a big part of what makes them invasive! The nice part is, some of them are very pretty and very fun to pick. Do get the roots! Be mindful that some plants — like the Porcelain Berry, have wicked root systems and may require other methods to make sure you’re removing and not just multiplying.

They may be pretty, but they’re also problems….Borage, Deptford pink dianthus, lady’s thumb and moth mullein…not all are officially labelled as “invasive,” but I can tell you I have trouble getting rid of these and others. Grateful to those who help me sort it all out.

Building Community

Whether trying to figure out what must go, or what I should plant, I am super grateful to folks at the Northport Native Garden Initiative,  Long Island Native Plant Gardening Group, and Re-Wild Long Island which are FANTASTIC resources filled with great people. Find them and much, much more in our Native Garden and Ecolandscaping Resources.

Knows other great resources? Let me know and we’ll add them to the list!

Get Support for Going Green: LI Garden Rewards Program

Photo of Echinacea Flowers

As part of a broader initiative to address nitrogen pollution, The Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) wants homeowners to know about the LI Garden Rewards Program. Through this program, residents may be reimbursed up to $500 for installing green infrastructure on their properties such as rain barrels, rain gardens, or native plantings.

The program began receiving applications on May 15th. Receipts must show purchases made after 3/15/26. Funds are limited and granted on a first come first serve basis. Don’t miss out!

Folks living in the Peconic Estuary watershed can also be rewarded for removing turf or pavement, and adding rain barrels, rain gardens and native plant gardens. Residents of the Town Hempstead can also participate in a Native Plant rebate program.

Find information on all of it here.

Photo of Black Eyed Susans

About the Long Island Regional Planning Council

The LIRPC is one of the only organizations tasked with considering the long-term economic, environmental, and social well-being of Long Island as a whole. It conducts research, surveys and studies. It also serves as a forum for discourse and debate, touching on topics such as the economy, equity, tax and governance, the environment and infrastructure.

You can learn about various initiatives and insights on the LIRPC website. It’s a great resource.

Photo of Northport Harbor by Katheryn Laible

Photo of Northport Harbor by Katheryn Laible

Why Nitrogen

One major focus of the LIRPC is nitrogen pollution.

Nitrogen is the leading cause of water quality deterioration on Long Island. It comes primarily from a variety of wastewater sources, and stimulates algal growth. This leads to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, and degraded marine habitats.

It also contaminates the groundwater that is Long Island’s sole source of drinking water.

You can learn more about that and the LI Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) here. We also have a great, growing resource of sustainable landscaping resources here (tell us more!).

While solutions are multi-faceted, this is a place where individual effort can make significant impact. Go for it!!

Bee on Aster by Katheryn Laible

Photo of Bee on Aster by Katheryn Laible.

Green Thumb Organic Farm Delivers to Huntington. Sign Up Now!

“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds.” (Thomas Jefferson, 1785)

It's Time: Locally Grown, Organic Produce

One of the best things our family ever did to teach us to love a variety of healthy foods, support our local economy and natural environment, and to help keep us all free of pesticides, has been to participate in Community Supported Agriculture. 

Green Thumb CSA, based in Water Mill, is starting up delivery again to Huntington. New members are still welcome! This Long Island organic family farm dates back to the 17th century and now encompasses over 130 acres. They grow vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs, starting in December. Now that it’s June, they are ready to start sending their delicious goods to table! 

The 28 week program stretches from the first Thursday of June until the second Thursday of December. Members of the Cinema Arts Centre get a discount. It’s best to order ASAP, but they have in the past taken on new shareholders throughout the season! 

As their brochure says “Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) brings together community members (shareholders), farmers & agricultural land in a relationship of mutual support based on an annual commitment to one another, a commitment that insures the survival of local agriculture today & for future generations. Basically, you purchase a share in the harvest, receive the highest quality food at the lowest possible price & support local farms.”

It’s an ample supply of high quality produce at a reasonable price. Sometimes, folks split shares. Hard core vegetarians may purchase more than one. The selection of produce changes from week to week. Pickups occur every Thursday from 2:30pm – 7:30pm. When you show up to claim your portion, a chart on the wall will communicate that week’s items. Folks bring their own bags to help keep down both prices and waste. All unclaimed food will be donated to local food pantries. As your investment supports the farm, no refunds are given to those who miss the pickup.

Sign Up Today!

The brochure for the Huntington program is below. They will be at the Cinema Arts Centre Sunday, 5/31 from 3:30-7:30 signing folks up. This is a great way to check out a local treasure, sign up for fresh veggies and ask any questions you might have! 
 
To Register and Get More Information about a Huntington pickup: Email gtCSAhuntington@gmail.com or call 631-421-4864
 
For Information about the Farm and Pickups Further East: Check out www.greenthumborganicfarm.com
 

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Native Garden and Ecolandscaping Resources

Bee on Aster by Katheryn Laible

Recently Updated! A few years ago now, I started reaching out to friends and collecting resources that we are pleased to share with you!

Continue reading

Happy Earth Day! Native Plant Sale, Forestalling Fauna

Photo of Nicole Tamaro, Matt Goreman and Sara Abbass at the 2nd Annual Northport Native Garden Initiative Plant Sale

Happy Earth Day! Order plants from the Northport Native Garden Initiative by May 10th! Learn more here, including how to forestall the furry folks who might eat them before they establish!

Continue reading

The Arts & Culture of Huntington Station

The Underpainting of a Paul B. & Phillip Young exhibition entitled, “CHEER UP” currently on view at Nautilus Roasting Company

Art Across Huntington Station

From the firehouse to underpass murals to the library walls, Huntington Station showcases its local art across places folks drive past and visit every day.

On a warm morning or a beautiful evening, you can grab a cup of coffee or a delicious bite, and see sculptures, murals, gardens, art centers, and gallery spaces. Suite Pieces offers space for local artisans. Nautilus Coffee is a work of art unto itself. More artists live here than we can count. There is history. There is culture. There is civic pride. Tastes of this are shared through public artworks created by folks who call Huntington Station home.

When putting together last autumn’s “Station Celebration of Arts & Culture” with the Huntington Station BID, we were delighted to work with the office of Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin to put together this list of art available to be seen for free across Huntington Station. Now that that we can feel the sun again, it’s a great time to share it!

For more information about great stuff going on in the Station, please join the Huntington Station Business Improvement District (BID)’s email list

List of Arts & Culture Points of Interest

Here’s the list of sites on the flyers pictured here. We know there are more. Let us know of them. Tell us about great places to catch a bite to eat, too!

1. Nautilus Coffee 📍 1249 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 A work of art in itself — owned by a local history enthusiast. Features a rotating gallery space; artist Kristen Memoli (HS resident) is on view through October. Great place to start your walk and grab a coffee!

2. “Generations” Sculpture 📍 Median outside Nautilus Coffee (New York Avenue) Artist: Madeline Wiener Installed: 2012 A public sculpture celebrating the connection between generations and community roots.

3. Suite Pieces 📍 1038 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 📍 1038 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Founded by Amanda Peppard, Suite Pieces is a three-story design showroom and creative hub featuring Long Island’s largest wallpaper library, custom furniture, and The Shops at Suite Pieces — a marketplace of local artists and makers.

4. Huntington Station Library đź“Ť 1335 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Two murals in the front vestibule by the Tiny Arts Council. Splashes of Hope painted a joyful mural in the Young Adult Room. Also features the Old Station Exhibition near the meeting rooms.

5. Assembly of God Church đź“Ť 1700 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Brand-new mural painted by Officer Kent (2nd Precinct), completed last weekend.

6. Gateway Garden 📍 Lowndes Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Community garden space featuring local art and environmental projects. Home to one of Lucienne Pereira’s murals.

7. Huntington Manor Fire Station Statue đź“Ť 1650 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Bronze sculpture honoring the courage and service of local firefighters.

8. Spirit of Huntington Art Center 📍 2 Melville Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746 Inclusive community art center offering programs for artists of all abilities. Exhibitions, art therapy, and classes — a must-see final stop.

9. Murals Along New York Avenue 📍1450 New York Avenue – Mural by Segundo Orellana @orellana_art on Instagram 1705 New York Avenue – “Car Mural” 1548 New York Avenue – Huntington Deli Mural Gateway Gardens – Mural led by Lucienne Pereira Family Service League Mural – Also led by Pereira; focuses on unity and community. 211 Depot Road (B.C. Communications) – Bright community-themed mural.

Signal Box Art Installations Route 110 Corridor 📍 “Check Me Out” Artist: Karmira Mohanty (Farmingville, NY) Location: NE corner of Rt. 110, Seaman Rd. & Jacobson Ave. Medium: Digitally printed vinyl wrap 📍 “Radio” Artist: John A. (Jack) Pierce (Huntington, NY) Location: NE corner of Rt. 110 & E. 12th St. Medium: Digitally printed vinyl wrap 📍 “Rubber Ducky Party” Artist: Roy Biederman (Roy Arthur Photography, Patchogue, NY) Location: SE corner of Rt. 110 & E. 13th St.  Medium: Digitally printed vinyl wrap 📍 “Image of Guitars” Artist: TBD (seeking info) Location: Corner of Rt. 110, E. 15th St. & Railroad St. Medium: Digitally printed vinyl wrap

March in the Garden: Patience, Mindfulness, Joyful Anticipation

Welcome, Spring! It’s good advice to wait until temps are regularly over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, especially to do a big, sudden cleanup, which we may wish to rethink in general. Still, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to get started…

Continue reading

Sign of Spring: Re-Wild Plant Sale is Coming!

It may feel like winter will never end — especially this week. Spring is coming, though! One fine sign is the Re-Wild Long Island native plant sale.

Continue reading

Firefly Hosts Northport Native Garden Initiative Winter Lecture

We were pleased to welcome John Turner from Seatuck, and are excited about more programs to come!

Continue reading