Brooklyn’s new urban farming  pop-up shop, Hayseed’s Big City Farm Supply, is part of the emerging trend of retailers who are going beyond merely making products available–they are creating an experience–selling a lifestyle in offering knowledge and ideas around their wares. 

From now until the end of June, those living in the New York area can become urban farmers even if lacking a garden, rooftop, or with little to no outdoor space at all. Hayseed’s sells everything one needs to start and maintain an urban garden or farm: soil, compost, tools, seeds, books, chicken and rabbit feed, and beekeeping supplies, as well as some great locally made, farm-related sundries.

Hayseed’s is a collaborative effort between the folks behind Brooklyn Grange, Domestic Construction, and Brooklyn Homesteader, Brooklynites who were pioneers and early adopters of urban farming and other creative ventures for which Brooklyn is now becoming famous way beyond the borough’s borders.

Got no space? No problem! More than stuff, there will be advice and inspiration to guide you.

The force behind Hayseed’s is Meg Paska, a Greenpoint-based backyard farmer and rooftop beekeeper who is passionate about showing people how much they can accomplish in very little space. On her site, Brooklyn Homesteader, Meg chronicles her backyard and rooftop forays as well as her collaboration with urban farming organizations like BK Farmyards and Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, with whom she coordinates educational Beekeeping workshops.

Meg Paska, pop-up proprietor, beekeeper, and urban farmer-extraordinaire.

With her extensive knowledge of gardening, composting, beekeeping, and even small livestock, Meg will be present at Hayseed’s to answer questions and fire up hopeful farmers into starting mini-farming projects of their own.

Hayseed’s Upcoming DIY Workshops
In keeping with it’s mission to inspire and teach city dwellers to grow food with limited or no outdoor space, Hayseed’s will be offering weekend workshops, classes, and events on subjects like beekeeping, backyard livestock, vermicomposting (worm composting), mushroom growing, seed starting, and garden planning.

Growing Edible Mushrooms
April 22 10am-Noon, $40
Growing edible mushrooms is a great way for apartment gardeners with little sunlight to take advantage of the shady spots where edible plants won’t grow. Mushrooms are also tremendously prolific, so you don’t need a lot of space to yield a hefty harvest of delicious fungi. In this class, students will learn how to grow Oyster mushrooms in coffee grounds, a free and abundant substrate. Students will also get to make a miniature Shiitake mushroom log to take home.
Register.

Self-Watering Containers Workshop
April 29 10am-Noon, $25
For rooftop gardeners, sub-irrigated planters (SIPS) are essential. These simple, inexpensive containers help conserve water and result in healthier, happier plants. In this class, students will learn to construct two types of SIPS, a five-gallon bucket type and a pallet SIP for more ambitious gardeners. Student’s in this class will leave with a SIP of their own making and a tomato seedling to put in it!
Register.

Hayseed’s Big City Farm Supply
218 India Street
Brooklyn (Greenpoint) 
Wednesday–Friday 12–8 pm
Saturday 10–6 pm / Sunday 12–5 pm.