As our trees come into their full fall glory, the quieter native plants around Brooklyn are starting to fade: leaves browning, flowers going to seed, petals dropping. It’s easy — especially around Halloween — to look out at a field of browning plants and just see death. But my trip to the Greenway Botanical Garden last weekend, itself a former naval cemetery, reminded me that there’s more below the surface.
The native plants at the heart of the small garden are shutting down. But it’s as beautiful as ever. Fall colors abound, migratory birds feed on seeds and insects, and we get the chance to see an important part of the plant lifecycle up close.
A now-unassuming native plant — a goldenrod — gone to seed. Perfect for birds!
Fall is the season of senescence: As we head into November, all around us the plants start to shut down to prepare for the winter. It’s a critical part of a perennial plant’s lifecycle. By allowing the above-ground parts of the plant to die, energy is concentrated in the roots, and the risk of frost killing off the plant drops. These natural cycles allow the plant to survive the winter and thrive year-round.
As the days get shorter and darker, consider letting your pace of life slow to match the plant life around us. And enjoy the fall colors as they roll into town these next few weeks.
Happy Halloween!
– Ella Spungen, Editor, Bluedot Living Brooklyn
Climate News, In Brief
Down with Data Centers: Researchers examined data from a nationwide survey on climate change to learn how Americans think about data centers. What they found: No one likes them.
Solar Scams: A meeting of the Columbian Lawyers Association discussed fraud in the solar energy industry, warning that vulnerable individuals are at risk of falling for solar-related scams.
Utility Assistance: Gov. Hochul’s home-energy assistance program, which helps New Yorkers afford their utility bills, goes into effect on Nov. 2. Find out how to apply here.
A Library Grows in Brooklyn: A new garden space was recently unveiled at the Stone Avenue Library in Brownsville, complete with new trees, shrubs, and native perennials.
World Migratory Bird Day: Birdwatching events took place across the city in honor of World Migratory Bird Day on Oct. 10. Check out these organizations for ongoing opportunities for urban birdwatching!
The Power of Canada: Learn the history of why the U.S.’s and Canada’s energy systems are so deeply entangled, and what that means in an era of mutual tariffs.
Daffodil Project: Yesterday, the Cadman Park Conservancy hosted a planting event for the 25th anniversary of the Daffodil Project by New Yorkers for Parks.
A Revel charging station. Photo: Revel.
In a garage in Red Hook, a fleet of electric vehicles sits charging. They look unassuming, like any other EVs — but they’re actually testing an innovative solution to grid resilience and clean energy storage known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
The V2G pilot, developed by NineDot Energy in partnership with Revel and Fermata Energy in 2022, tests out a model of two-way charging that allows energy to move from EVs back to the grid during times of high demand, like a heat wave.
Advertisement
If your face looks tired every morning—eye bags, wrinkles, rough skin—you’re not alone. Particle Face Cream was engineered for men to tackle these issues in one simple step. This 6-in-1 solution reduces eye bags, diminishes wrinkles, brightens dark spots, hydrates, soothes after shaving, and nourishes deeply with Dead Sea minerals. No complicated routines. Just apply twice a day and see the difference. Bluedot Living readers can now get an exclusive 20% discount with the promo code NEWS20, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
As the days grow shorter and the evenings turn chillier, candlelight makes time spent indoors feel a little more special. Whether you prefer elegant tapers, woodsy fragrances, or soothing botanical scents, you’ll find a clean-burning candle to love in our carefully curated collection.
Add a little color to your home with Bluecorn’s beautiful beeswax tapers. Handmade in Colorado since 1991, these paraffin-free candles come in four lengths and 14 colors. Each candle is hand-dipped at least 20 times. Choose one of Bluecorn’s sets or create a vibe all your own by selecting from hues such as pistachio, moss, eggplant, and more. ($10.50+)
Founded by a mother looking for candles free from synthetic fragrances, Slow North keeps its ingredients simple: wax made from American-grown soy, coconut oil, and pure essential oils. Each candle is hand-poured in a glass vessel, with soothing botanical scents such as lavender and cedar, rosemary and lemon, and eucalyptus and lavender. The Austin-based brand also offers linen sprays, bath salts, eye masks, and other relaxing gifts. ($24+)
Bring the outdoors in with candles, diffusers, incense, and more from Good & Well Supply Co. The Seattle-based, woman-founded brand offers evocative fragrances, many inspired by America’s national parks. As a member of 1% for the Planet, the company donates to nonprofits supporting conservation. Don’t forget to pick up a charming matchbook, too. ($26+)
Dear Dot,
My family loves Halloween, and we go a bit overboard with pumpkins. Any advice for what I can do with them when the holiday is over besides tossing them?
– Annette
Dear Annette,
The University of California reports that, each year, the U.S. produces more than 2 billion pumpkins. And 80% of those gourds end up in the trash.
We forget, Annette, that those pumpkins are actually food. If not for us, then for animals. So let’s consider how we might dispose of our pumpkins — carved or not — in a way that respects the Earth.
Got a question for Dot? Write her at [email protected].
Advertisement
The right hearing aids benefit more than your ears — they also improve your brain's processing power. That's why experts recommend Horizon IX, the "miracle" hearing technology from hear.com. This advanced device is built for modern life, using German engineering to separate speech from background noise. More than half a million happy customers are living better than ever, thanks to effortless conversations with discreet, all-day comfort. You can join them right now with a 45-day, no-risk trial.
BLUEDOT LIVING KITCHEN
As October fades into November, some of our favorite vegetables will start disappearing from the farmers market and our CSA boxes. This salad, which combines carrots and cauliflower on one sheet pan for easy roasting, makes the most of the last of the season’s bounty. Carving a pumpkin this week? Save the seeds for this salad, which is topped with pepitas candied with cumin and coriander!
BROOKLYN WILDLIFE WATCH
An American Barn Owl sits perched on a water tower on the Upper West Side neighborhood, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in New York. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo
Barn owls have never been spotted in Manhattan in recorded modern history. Until now.
A family of barn owls was seen nesting in a water tower on the Upper West Side, and bird enthusiasts and non-birders alike are flocking for a chance to see the rare, mysterious species.
The Bluedot Brooklyn newsletter is edited by Ella Spungen. If you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or want to tell us what you’re doing, email [email protected].
