OUR MISSION &
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Qs)

Established in 1978, GreenThumb remains the nation's largest urban gardening program, assisting over 600 gardens and nearly 20,000 garden members throughout New York City. Our aim is to foster civic participation and encourage neighborhood revitalization while preserving open space. Community gardens provide green space and easily accessible recreational opportunities in the areas that need them most. GreenThumb was initiated in response to the city's financial crisis of the 1970's, which resulted in the abandonment of a tremendous amount of public and private land. Residents of these devastated communities transformed these unattractive and unsafe spaces into green havens.

1. What Services Does GreenThumb Provide?
2. Where Are GreenThumb Gardens?
3. Who are GreenThumb Gardeners?
4. How can I get basic supplies for my garden if there are not Outreach Coordinators assigned to each borough?
5. How can my garden group receive a port-a-san and PathMark vouchers from GreenThumb this season?
6.What kind of support can I expect from GreenThumb in publicizing my garden's events this season?
7. What is going on with the GreenThumb website?
8. What should I do if someone dumps large debris on my garden?
9. What should I do if my garden group needs to dispose of debris collected during a clean-up day?
10. What should I do if a contractor tries to set up shop in part of my garden?
11. How can I get materials that are not connected to workshops featured in the GreenThumb Program Calendar 2005?
How can I get materials that are not connected to workshops featured in the Program Guide?
12. How do I go about getting a permit for using the fire hydrant as a water source this season?
13. How can school groups get GreenThumb support for new projects?
14. What should I do if my garden group decides to build a gazebo or casita?
15. GreenThumb is 26 Years Old

1. What Services Does GreenThumb Provide?

Today, the GreenThumb program, by providing materials and technical assistance, continues to support neighborhood volunteers who manage community gardens as active and attractive community resources.

GreenThumb serves communities primarily through its warehouse distribution, technical support, and educational workshops.

2. Where Are GreenThumb Gardens?

GreenThumb gardens are located in all five boroughs of New York City. The majority of GreenThumb gardens are located in economically disadvantaged community planning districts that receive federal financial support through a complement of open space, affordable housing, and economic development. Active garden sites create a stable force in the community and serve as anchors for other re-development initiatives.

3. Who are GreenThumb Gardeners?

GreenThumb gardeners are neighborhood volunteers interested in public safety, environmental quality, housing, and educational opportunities in their communities. GreenThumb gardeners either live or work near the garden and work together to manage each site as a group. GreenThumb gardens are managed by community and block associations that are interested in working to improve their neighborhood through a complement of open space, affordable housing, and economic development opportunities. GreenThumb gardens have a track record of community involvement and accomplishment; most offer consistent public programming aimed at improving quality of life for residents of all ages.

4. How can I get basic supplies for my garden if there are not Outreach Coordinators assigned to each borough?

GreenThumb will continue to supply an extensive amount of both basic and specialty gardening supplies. In order to better serve community gardens we have reorganized our program and will distribute all supplies through citywide workshops. Please see the Quarterly Program Guides to see when specific supplies will be distributed. For especially large supplies we will still deliver them to individual gardens. But, only after a garden has attended a workshop and requested the specific supply. This new system will streamline material distribution and make the process easily accessible and transparent to all garden groups. These workshops will also be great opportunities for community garden groups to network with each other and meet experts.

5. How can my garden group receive a port-a-san and PathMark vouchers from GreenThumb this season?

Gardeners should rest assured that GreenThumb will distribute vouchers and port-a-sans to support and stimulate programming and events at gardens this year. Vouchers will be available through workshops scheduled on July 21 and August 23. By attending either of these workshops garden groups quality for $50 Pathmark vouchers for events in the summer and fall. Garden groups that would like the use of a Port-a-San this season will be given the opportunity to apply for one in June. GreenThumb will send contacts an application asking them to detail their groups' membership numbers and programming activities. Groups with the highest levels of public programming may be eligible for port-a-sans during the second half of the gardening season.

6. What kind of support can I expect from GreenThumb in publicizing my garden's events this season?

We are working hard to get a new system in place that will happily accommodate all 450 registered gardens, and make sure that our services are available to all gardeners. We would love to be able to publicize all the events happening in gardens but operationally, our goal is to publicize at least one event in every garden. With this clear goal in mind, we will be better able to serve the gardening community.

7. What is going on with the GreenThumb website?

We are proud to announce that the GreenThumb website is up and running once again. We apologize for the interruption you experienced in this important service over the past few months. Over this season, we will be making several updates to our website. Your events will be listed on the GreenThumb website as well as the parks website, and gardeners will be able to search by borough for their events. As always, the GreenThumb website will continue to feature our monthly events calendar highlighting events at community gardens around the City.

8. What should I do if someone dumps large debris on my garden?

Call GreenThumb, we can probably help. GreenThumb works with the Department of Sanitation's lot cleaning division to address large amounts of debris in gardens located in City owned lots. But remember, we don't know it's there unless you tell us. It's your responsibility to report the problem and ask for help in order to keep out of violation and protect your communities from such offenses.

9. What should I do if my garden group needs to dispose of debris collected during a clean-up day?

Call GreenThumb at least one week in advance if your group is going to need a bulk pick-up, particularly if you have collected a large amount of mixed debris including metal and wood. We will work with the Department of Sanitation's lot cleaning division to arrange for a dumpster or pick-up on the day of your event. For all other days you should reach out to the Department of Sanitation directly. Sanitation pick-up trucks are supposed to make regular garbage pick-ups at GreenThumb gardens upon request. Contact information for District Sanitation depots can be found in the front (back?) of the yellow pages. Gardeners should visit district depots and acquaint themselves with area workers and supervisors. Once a relationship is developed gardeners should have no trouble receiving pick-ups when necessary. Remember to bag and separate all debris before DOS pick-ups.

10. What should I do if a contractor tries to set up shop in part of my garden?

Call GreenThumb and 311 immediately. Address the contractor and explain that the City owns the garden lot(s) and get the contractor's contact info (if possible) for us to follow-up. Contractors without permits from the owning agency (Parks or HPD) have no right to use garden lots when working on neighboring projects. The Parks Department has created strict new policies designed to protect gardeners from unwanted and unnecessary disruption. The Agency is currently taking action against contractors guilty of destroying garden lots over the past two years, please help us to keep this from happening in the future.

11. How can I get materials that are not connected to workshops featured in the GreenThumb Program Calendar 2005?
How can I get materials that are not connected to workshops featured in the Program Guide?

All materials available through the Quarterly Program Guides should be acquired through the scheduled citywide workshops. If after reviewing the Program Guide there is a material not listed you may call Chris Syrett, Deputy Director, Operations & Maintenance, (212-788-8060) to inquire if it is available. New or relocating groups in need of large amounts of materials may arrange with Chris to pick up items at the LRP / GT compound in Queens. If you are in need of special services, your group may need to coordinate your own transportation so plan in advance.

12. How do I go about getting a permit for using the fire hydrant as a water source this season?

The system is the same as last year. GreenThumb has mailed out a hydrant packet that includes: instructions on obtaining a permit, permit applications, and locations of borough DEP offices. Garden contacts should complete the permit application and bring it to his /her borough office. There you will receive a permit for the season. Once you have the permit, contact Nichelle at GreenThumb (212.788.8070) to request that your hydrant be uncapped. You should have access to water in about a week after completing this process.

13. How can school groups get GreenThumb support for new projects?

GreenThumb offers support to groups starting new school garden projects by communicating with administrators and teachers involved in the project within the school concerning the next steps, technical or otherwise. GreenThumb also offers material support in the form of tools, lumber, compost etc. to the school gardens that are unable to get these things themselves.

14. What should I do if my garden group decides to build a gazebo or casita?

All construction projects must be approved and supervised by GreenThumb's Deputy Director for Operations, Chris Syrett. If you need assistance, he will also be available to help your garden develop safe, environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing designs for your garden structure.

15. GreenThumb is 26 Years Old

After twenty six years, GreenThumb considers itself a success in responding to crisis and making a positive contribution to neighborhoods and to the lives of people that live and work there. We're proud of our role in supporting community gardens, which play such a vital role as community centers. Our services continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of New York City community gardeners in the 21st century.

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