Cherry blossoms

Since Jenn and I became members, we’ve been spending a lot more time at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. A couple of weeks ago, the trees on the Cherry Esplanade were bare. Last weekend, the branches were covered with tight red buds, while several cherry trees near the Japanese pond were already blossoming. And now, the BBG’s nifty CherryWatch Blossom Status Map indicates that the esplanade should be pretty spectacular.

The Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival is this coming weekend. But take note that the grass police won’t let you sit on the grass anywhere but on the Cherry Esplanade—and they won’t let you spread out a towel or blanket even there. (Does sitting on a towel or blanket hurt the grass any more than sitting on it without? Seems doubtful.)