Great Escape: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

I come from a dirty family. My mother and grandmother are happiest with soil between their fingernails. Such is the case for avid gardeners! This week’s Great Escape is inspired by my family’s passion for all things that grow with a little love. The blooms only two and a half miles away from Fort Greene-Clinton Hill and offers hours of activity and tranquility—whichever you prefer!

Adults and children alike enjoy exploring BBG’s 13 spectacular gardens from the Cherry Esplanade to the Lily Pool Terrace. The Brooklyn Botantic Garden is a year-round escape, and visiting during different months ensures you will see varied seasonal species in bloom. July is high time for the aquatic sacred lotus and colorful hydrangea. Bask in the sun’s rays like these flowers do as you take in the beauty of nature on BBG’s many trails. 

Flowers aren’t the only plants growing. BBG’s Herb Garden includes vegetables, berries, fruit trees and herbs. Crops chosen span several regions including the Americas, Northern Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Created just one year ago, the Herb Garden continues to grow and intrigue visitors. You might even get some dinner ideas!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s featured exhibit through Sept. 4 is Native New Yorkers, which displays our neighbors in nature. Discover what plants are native to the Northeast and learn how to grow them at home. Stop by this Sunday to view the exhibit and attend the special Pollination Sensation workshop to learn about the important role pollinating insects play in gardens.

Interested in further horticultural education? BBG offers several classes including Soil Management, Pest Management and Urban Garden Maintenance. Certification programs for Horticulture and Floral Design are also available. Not fond of getting down in the dirt? Instead draw inspiration from the Garden’s flora with an art class like Drawing for Absolute Beginners or Introduction to Watercolor Painting.

Whether a green thumb runs in your family or whether you’re just seeking a peaceful day trip, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an oasis close to home.

To learn more about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and planning your trip, visit http://www.bbg.org.