Gardens NYC: It All Ties In

If you were in New York City in the late ’60s, you may have come across a longhaired Stephen Rutsky out in the streets with his hippy brethren, advocating for social and political change. These days, you’re more likely to find him among the abundant greenery of his Park Slope garden, where he practices a quieter, more personal form eco-activism… by growing plants. From beans for his table to catnip for his furry friend, Stephen’s backyard garden patch produces plenty of useful stuff. In an endearingly thick Brooklyn accent, Stephen explains how how his garden is a vital spark in his life, something he’s not sure he could live without.