50 CENT is a rapper, actor and now — gardener? Blame it on Bette Midler’s charitable green thumb.

The unlikely duo teamed up Monday to celebrate the opening of “The Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson Community Garden” in Queens, New York (Read below for details on the garden*).

And how did Bette and 50 get together for the project?

“I called and nagged him,” Bette told People. “His G-UNITY FOUNDATION gives a million dollars away every year in grants to non profits all over the city … They’re just brilliant.”

The community garden, which is part of Bette’s NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT, is located in Jamaica, Queens, where the rapper grew up.

“I wish I had this to come to when I was growing up around here,” 50 told the mag. “The opportunity to create this garden for the youth and the community is a great one.”

And, 50 said Bette made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. The screen and music legend said 50 was immediately onboard to help the organization, which revives parks, community gardens and open spaces throughout New York City.

“When Bette calls you don’t say ‘no.’ Not if you want your reputation to stay the way it is,” 50 said.

Will the community garden be the first of many collaborations between the singer and the rapper?

“Absolutely!” he said, as he hugged and laughed with Bette.

“He’s producing my next record,” Bette joked. “I will be rapping. He’s writing a song for me right now.”In November, Bette Midler and 50 Cent joined forces for the opening of “The Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson Community Garden” in Queens, New York. Now, the unlikely duo will pool their green thumbs again – but will they also being making music together.

In addition, according to E! Online’s Marc Malkin, the rapper will be on hand for Bette’s Restoration Project’s eighth ANNUAL SPRING PICNIC in New York City’s Fort Tryon Park on MAY 19. KiD GReeN will be on location interviewing the Dude himself.

 “[The] little Jewish lady and the great big rapper,” Bette said of their second collaboration. “He’s such a doll. I love him. He’s gorgeous.”

*A spacious site in Jamaica, Queens, this garden serves the community as an informal park, and nearly 50 neighborhood residents use the garden on a regular basis. NYRP has installed a substantial amount of plant material (both perennials and trees), while the gardeners have raised funds for garden events, including workshops and block parties. In July 2006, NYRP received a $150,000 grant from the G-Unity Foundation, founded by rap sensation 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), to help us develop a children’s learning garden in Baisley Park. Mr. Jackson’s public foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities. Baisley Park is located in a community with over 52,000 children and only 5% of the recommended amount of outdoor/open space, according to Community Board 12 in Queens. “We are looking forward to witnessing the transformation of Baisley Park into a useable green space for kids in the neighborhood. We are so excited to support NYRP in giving this community a garden it can be proud of,” says Nina Biggar of The G-Unity Foundation.