Staten Island’s Garden Workshop Grows in Tottenville

Tottenville sprouted last night with Staten Island’s Garden Workshop, rooting NYC’s spring at a rec hall. Grower Tariq Evans taught pruning as 50 dug, a $15 class for green thumbs. It’s borough soil—pure SI vibe, pots hot. A kid planted basil; a pro trimmed roses. ‘Staten grows—this is it,’ Evans says, watering trays. The room turned nursery.

The shop’s fresh—April 2’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing tables by 6 p.m. Evans, a St. George gardener; last night’s crowd hit max—soil flew. A latecomer nabbed a pot; tips buzzed—NYC grit glowed. Plants went home—green ruled. #SIGardenShop trended; Bronx wants a leaf.

Some griped—’Too muddy,’ sniped a newbie, dodging dirt. Space pinched—latecomers stood; growth held. A stem snapped—fixed quick; work rolled. Queens wants a turn, but Tottenville owns it—roots rule. The hall’s never bloomed so bold.

Evans hints at a plant swap, maybe a park if spring bites. ‘NYC’s earth—this sows it,’ he says, packing shears. The shop’s a Staten win—grit meets green. It’s a garden rush; join the next. Bring a trowel—buds call.