The 2025 Seed Sowing Workshop and Seed Swap with Brooklyn Grange
Event Overview
Please see below for any changes to the event.
BQLT and BROOKLYN GRANGE FARM invite you to create customized flats for your garden in this not-your-typical seed sowing workshop with Patti Hagan and Jane Zucker from St. Marks Avenue / Prospect Heights Community Garden, and Connor Cushman from Brooklyn Grange.
DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2025
TIME: 10 – 11:30 am
LOCATION: BROOKLYN GRANGE — SUNSET PARK FARM
850 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 MAP / DIRECTIONS
Trains: D/N/R (36th Street) / R (25th Street)
Bus: B37
Parking: Free parking in mall
Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible, Elevator Access
Learn to sow seeds in a commercial greenhouse setting and leave them to grow for seven weeks while the Brooklyn Grange Farmers lovingly tend to the seedlings. This workshop is aimed at gardeners of all experience levels.
Please come if you want to grow plants that are not usually found at traditional plant giveaways, local hardware stores, or nurseries. Learn the benefits of starting seeds in a greenhouse versus at home or in the garden; which seeds are best suited for starting early; and how to get the most out of being a “greenhouse farmer for a day.” Participants are encouraged to bring (and share!) seeds, especially ancestral seeds, culturally important seeds, or seeds with a story, and we hope attendees can bring extra seeds to share with another garden. BQLT and Brooklyn Grange will also supply seeds the day of.
This will be a hands-on, practical session on sowing seeds. Please bring your own gloves if possible. Space is limited so please do not invite additional visitors or bring children. Please think of your garden membership when making your sowing selections! For more information see the FAQ (below).
IMPORTANT: Register by Tuesday, March 25 at 5:00pm. Space may be limited to one participant per garden to accommodate waitlist participants and is subject to the organizer’s discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this workshop FREE?
Yes! This workshop has been generously funded by BQLT through the 2024 NYC Green Fund Treetops Grant and the generosity of individual supporters and friends.
Help support us by donating a well appreciated gift HERE. It’s contributions like this that bring workshops and resources to our community!
What if I can’t attend the workshop? Can I get a flat for my garden?
If you are a BQLT gardener please register and note under “Comments and Questions” that you cannot attend the workshop. Should we have extra flats we will do our best to add any requests you have to these communal trays.
Is this workshop for BQLT gardeners only?
BQLT gardeners will have limited priority up to MARCH 15. That being said, please sign up if you are interested and we will add you to the workshop if there is room. The waitlist will be filled chronologically so don’t wait to register. Flats will only be available to gardeners that are members of community gardening spaces.
Dang, I really want to come but I am not a community gardener. Can I come anyway?
The Brooklyn Grange workshop specifically highlights starting seeds in a commercial greenhouse setting and is aimed at supporting community greening spaces. If we have room we may have trays you can plant for an absent garden, but we aren’t currently offering trays to individuals for private use.
Can I bring others with me?
Unfortunately, space is extremely limited and we hope to have as many different gardens participate as possible. There will not be any extra room for visitors or children.
Fortunately, Brooklyn Grange & City Growers will host an annual Family Farm Day and Plant Sale on Sunday, May 18, 2025 with fantastic activities, tours, and an early season farm stand. This is a great opportunity to visit the farm with your friends and family and enjoy the space at your leisure. Entry is FREE. Check the Brooklyn Grange Webpage for details.
When will I pick up my flat?
You will be expected to retrieve your flat on Sunday May 18, 2025 at the Brooklyn Grange from 10am – 1pm. The farmers will have your plants hardened off and ready to transplant with this date in mind. For this reason we urge you to pick them up or coordinate with a neighbor garden to collect them for you on May 18.
What if I can’t pick up my flat on Sunday, May 18, 2025?
We will work with you to get you your trays! However, abandoned seedlings will be given away first come, first served at the June BQLT Gardeners Meeting.
What, if anything, will be different this year?
We learned a lot from the 2023 and 2024 workshops. Here are some changes to expect this season:
- The workshop will take place in the GREENHOUSE only. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toed sturdy shoes.
- We will provide light refreshments and the opportunity for a rooftop tour at the end of the workshop.
- Plants that are normally direct sown or are aggressive growers should not be included in your trays. The greenhouse is an ideal growing environment and plants that grow quickly will be unruly, stressed, and difficult to take care of for the full duration of their stay. The best plants to sow are ones that need a huge boost to grow in our climate and seasons such as tomatoes and peppers. Plants to avoid are peas, beans, cucumbers, squash, and melons. We will go over what are ideal plants to sow and will provide guidelines and information the week prior to the workshop. Keep an eye out in your inbox!
- We will be splitting the group into two: those that have been here before and know where everything is located can start planting if they want. Those that are new to the space and those that want more specific instruction can get that before starting.
Who is Brooklyn Grange Farm?
Founded in 2010, Brooklyn Grange Farm is the leading rooftop farming and intensive green roofing business in the US, operating the world’s largest rooftop soil farms, located in New York City. Brooklyn Grange promotes sustainable urban living by building green spaces, hosting educational programming and events, and widening access to locally grown produce in New York City communities.
What else is nearby?
Industry City – A multi-use redevelopment of Bush Terminal where the public may enjoy shopping, food, drinks, and entertainment.
Bush Terminal Park — A quiet waterfront space in the industrial section of Sunset Park. Enjoy spectacular views of the area’s tidal pools and the Bay Ridge Channel.
Huge thanks to Brooklyn Grange Farm for hosting this workshop and tending to our seedlings and for the NYC Green Fund for helping us make this happen!
