Sam Ianotta laid down metal catwalks through part of his Oakwood garden, a gridwork that helps navigate the prolific tomato patch behind his house.  There is more to this extraordinary New York City garden and how it blossoms each year -- you will see that shortly -- but first get to know the gardener himself.

Sam's owned his home since coming to Staten Island in the 1960s, as he points out, "the bridge was not even open yet." He recently retired from the construction business at 77. Sam's worked on major projects like the World Trade Center and the Freedom Tower, his final job. Now, at 80 years old, he continues to delight in farming, a love he developed from his father back in Italy.