Southern Brooklyn has a green heart as well as a green thumb.
Nurseries, landscaping business and everyday gardeners donated plenty of plants, trees and other material, as well as their sweat and muscle, after thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of supplies from the Narrows Botanical Garden two weeks ago.
“When I heard what happened, I just thought it’s pretty low — so donating wasn’t just the nice thing to do, it was the right thing to do,” said Angelo Gallo, owner of G&D Landscape Corporation on in Borough Park.
Angelo’s Nursery and Lawn Service in Bensonhurst and Priority Landscaping and Nursery in Gravesand also donated items, including ceramic pots, a pear tree, azaleas, hydrangeas and other spring flowers, lifting the droopy daffodil-spirit of the community garden on Shore Road between 69th and 73rd Streets in Bay Ridge.
“We’re just so excited over these donations,” said Jimmy Johnson the garden landscaper. “The generosity and kindness has changed our outlook on everything.”
The friendly offerings came after garden workers showed up on the morning of April 22 and discovered that two sheds had been broken into and $2,090 in terra cotta planters, Hinoki and Boxwood shrubs, a $3,000 bonsai tree, Evergreen trees and other valuable plants had been taken.
There is still no suspect, but Johnson said the tree hugs from his neighbors are what’s important now.
“This is the big news,” said Johnson. “Stealing is so petty, but community outreach, that’s what matters.”
