The Lifestyles Greenhouse Program buts and blooms season after season, touching many faces and places in the community. Consumers lean and hone various horticultural skills at our two commercial greenhouses, located on the northwest corner inside the Willowbrook campus. Greenhouse supervisor Anna Daurio, John Sharkey, Nancy Jones, Joe Joyce, Maria Loch and Candice Pawloski afford consumers with a hands-on experience in learning all aspects of running a greenhouse. Donald Bruns, owner of Buescher’s Florist on Staten Island, provides his expertise for all facets of greenhouse operation and our horticulture program.
Lifestyle has forged special relationships with the Richmond County Bank Foundation, Lynn Steinman Robbins Foundation, Independence Community Foundation and Goldman Sachs Corp. Thanks to these and other local groups, Lifestyles was able to refurbish the two commercial greenhouses on the grounds, which are now in full use year round.
No matter what the season, you will always find our consumers involved in an exciting project in the greenhouse. Consumers help in counting plants, loading vans, and distributing and delivering plants to organizations. In the fall and spring, consumers are involved in distributing bulbs and flowers to schools and organizations throughout Staten Island.
The Lifestyles Greenhouse Program and is staff have inspired its consumers to use their artistic and creative talents to produce beautiful flower arrangements, centerpieces and decorative pieces. You are invited to purchase any of these pieces at one of our seasonal flower sales held outside of the Lifestyles Caffé, or you can special order any arrangement by contacting Anna Daurio at
(917) 417-9858.
Below is a seasonal look at ongoing major green house activities:
Spring: Prepare soil and garden plots for planting, plant in the vegetable garden, plant flowers, plant in planters, and water and weed throughout the growing season.
Summer: Harvest produce, clean out the greenhouses for the season, and maintain gardens and plants on a daily basis.
Fall: Distribute mums to local schools and organizations, plant spring-flowering bulbs, gather seeds for next season, clean up flower beds, rake leaves, and maintain the grounds.
Winter: Make Holiday decorations (e.g. wreaths and table top trees), start flower and vegetable seeds for outdoor gardens, and make arrangements and decorative items for Valentine’s Day.