Participants in the 2023 Greenest Block in Brooklyn competition pose with BBG president Adrian Benepe (bottom left) and Carol Reneau, co-chair of the winning block’s Garden Club.
Brooklyn Botanic garden photos. Top and bottom right photos by Michael Stewart; bottom left photo by Nina Browne.
BROOKLYN EAGLE: What was your role in creating the greenest block in Brooklyn?
Photo: Brooklyn Eagle photo by Lucien Clough
CAROL RENEAU: I am the co-chair of the block’s Garden Club. And we’ve been a club for over 30 years and we’ve been gardening on this block for over 40, 45 years. So we’re well-established gardeners, we’ve been doing it for a while, which has helped us get where we are.
EAGLE: Right, and if I’m not mistaken you did a program at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
RENEAU: Yes, I’m what we call a B.U.G. — a Brooklyn Urban Gardener. So the program taught me different planting techniques, and sustainable horticulture methods, and also teaches you how to build community. So with the BUG, along with my Caribbean heritage, we were able to marry the two of them, which has helped us with gardening over the years.
EAGLE: Right. This is obviously a community effort; was it difficult to get all of the community to pitch in, or was everyone happy to help?
Photo: Brooklyn Eagle photo by Lucien Clough
RENEAU: Most people are super happy to help, and again, only because we’re so established for many years. And what we do is meet people where they are. If they need help with watering, we’re going to do the watering. Whatever it is they need help with, we’re going help. And this is how we get the whole community. We also work with what they like. We don’t try to set any rules for community members. For example, if someone loves hydrangeas, and wants them in their yard, we allow hydrangeas. And…
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