nycgardener.blogspot.com

Hyacinths bloom in February

2012-02-12T13:49:00.001-05:00

Last night my husband said he noticed that my hyacinths were pushing up in our window box. In February? Are you sure? I asked, in disbelief. But with a walk outdoors this morning, in frigid temperature I might add, I saw for myself the green shoots among the weeds.
This is clearly not the proper timing. The lovely spring flowers are meant to come up in April, or March at the earliest. They are commonly in full bloom by Easter. But it's been so warm lately that the flowers must have gotten the wrong signals from Mother Nature. And now that it's freezing again here in the Northeast, I wonder if they'll be able to continue growing until they bloom. The temperatures are expected to rise this week, so I suspect they can survive a few freezing days. I also wonder if this freak event will kill the bulbs or mess with their rhythm for years to come. To me, it's just another sign of climate change and the strange new world we live in. Has anyone else seen early risings or other odd events in their gardens?

Winter Green

2011-12-22T21:21:00.001-05:00

Winter is here, but it has not nipped my garden completely. Even after a 25 degree day, my greens are still growing! The plants are smaller than they were in the summer, but the arugula, mesclun greens and radicchio continue to sprout new leaves. Parsley, oregano and rosemary are alive and well too. Of course, I am happy to keep plucking away and enjoying fresh greens and herbs in my salad. But I was kind of expecting snow at this point, not least because I'd like to get my skis out and hit the mountains!

North East Snow Storm pelts my garden!

2011-10-29T13:56:00.001-04:00

Saved from the Oct. snow storm

Picked clean

Really Mother Nature? Snow in October? When I heard a snow storm was coming, I couldn't believe it. I chalked it up to another made for TV weather event. But I figured I'd better pick off all the greens that were still growing through the warm fall season, just in case. I had plenty of basil and a good smattering of salad greens, as well as a few peppers on the vines. But with the sun setting before 6 pm, I never got home from work early enough to catch the light. And I had a busy week with early mornings at the office. When I saw all the snow falling today, I rushed out in my rain gear and finally got to picking. I felt a bit like a migrant worker trying to save the crops from a hard frost. My fingers just about froze too. But it was worth it, as I did manage to salvage a reasonable amount of vegetation. Later on today, I'll roast the peppers. The basil will make a nice addition to a pot of tomato sauce. And I'll be having a fresh green salad for lunch. Yum. If this ends the growing season, so be it. This year we've kept a record of our harvest, which I'll post soon enough.

Last but not least

2011-10-17T22:59:00.000-04:00

We returned from Europe last week to find our garden still growing. I picked a bowl full of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, salad greens and herbs. Of course, the plants were nearly exhausted, so, what you see (left) is about what we got. The tomato plants, haggard and brown, will produce no more fruit. A few peppers are still ripening on the vines, and the eggplants even have new flowers. But as always this time of year, greenery is more of a tease. Despite the warm weather, I know the winter will come and nip any new growth in the bud. It's at this time that we take stock of what worked and what didn't. I regret planting the Little Finger eggplants. The Japanese eggplants of past seasons were much better tasting. All of our tomato plants rocked this summer, and seven was a perfect number. Though they took up a lot of room, they provided a bountiful harvest that enabled us to share our crop with friends and neighbors. The early red bell peppers were a nice addition and I was very pleased with the cukes and kirbies, though they did punk out on me after the July heat wave. We're already talking about what we'll plant next summer. As the cold weather comes, it will give us something to look forward too.

Fall Harvest Bounty Or How to Get Rid of Hornworms

2011-09-13T17:05:00.000-04:00

A late season visitor, the dreaded tomato hornworm

At this time of year, gardeners usually enjoy a bounteous end of the season harvest. And, we are indeed among the lucky ones continuing to reap the fruits of our labor. The tomatoes have been sweet, the peppers colorful, the lettuce still tender and the herbs still growing strong. Yet, as the days grow shorter, the plants are getting a bit tired and it is beginning to feel like the end is near. The past month has been tough on the garden. Battering rains from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee weakened our lovely tomato vines, exhausted our cucumbers and soaked our impatiens. Cooler weather and fewer hours of sunshine are also having the usual effects of shutting down new production. So, imagine my surprise, when this late in the season I discovered unwanted visitors terrorizing my tomato plants! How on earth did the icky green hornworms get back into my garden?? We had an infestation earlier this summer and took massive steps to eradicate it, including hunting down the green gobblers that ingest the leaves at a rapid rate, and spraying with Safer caterpillar killer, an organic insecticide. Our measures were quite effective and the menacing worms disappeared. Until now! All this week I've been engaged in a second battle with the bugs. To defeat them, one must be vigilent. What's most important is finding them before they munch the life out of the plants. And in order to do this, one must follow the poop! As they eat, they leave a trail of black droppings on lower leaves and the ground. On our pink pavers, the poop really stands out. Looking up from the trail, one can find denuded leaves and upon closer inspection, the worm will come into focus. It's not easy to locate them, as you can see how green they are from the photo. On a leafy plant even the huge ones are very hard to spot. I can report that as of this morning, the terrace was poop-free, which I'm hoping means we are worm-free (again.) Crossing my fingers!

How we outsmarted Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T22:13:00.005-04:00

Before the storm

Hurricane Irene came at us with her 75 mile an hour winds and driving rain, but we had a plan to protect our tomatoes - and it worked! First, we picked off all the ripe and even partially ripe fruit. But then, instead of striving to keep our 6 foot plants standing through the storm, which was our initial instinct, we laid them on the ground beforehand. This way, the wind barely reached them and couldn't shake the tomatoes off the vines.

We had to be very gentle as we lowered them so that the branches didn't crack. And we needed to criss-cross them in order to have room. But it was worth it. The plants are still in tact and we only lost a few green tomatoes in the process..

With the wind lasting through Sunday, we kept them grounded most of the day and picked a couple up on Sunday evening. The rest we raised on Monday. I'm relieved to say that they made it through the gale in fine shape and we expect to have tomatoes right through Sept.

After the storm: Tomatoes standing tall

Preparing for Hurricane Irene - Tips to secure your urban garden

2011-08-26T11:43:00.000-04:00

Here's some helpful tips for securing your plants, and a recipe for fried green tomatoes, from Red Rose & Lavender, a Brooklyn-based flower shop:

Keeping your plants safe during the storm

In case you haven't heard, There is a hurricane coming. I just wanted to send out a note to everyone with some helpful tips in keeping your plants safe.

Secure your plants.

For those of you with balconies, it may be a good idea to put your lighter plants and plastic furniture inside. With 50 to 100mph winds, anything light that that is left on a balcony will be blown away. Don't worry about the plants that are in big heavy pots, if you have trouble moving them then they are probably fine. Put everything as close to the building as you can. The same rules apply to roof top gardens as well.

Remove the covers from your gazebos and take down any umbrellas and store in a safe place. Remove any window boxes that are hanging on railings and put them inside or on the ground.

Take down any hanging baskets and put them inside.

Stake and tie plants in your garden. Try to secure your plants as best as you can but remember that they may not survive the storm. Take the time to harvest any vegetables that are ripe. Harvest any tomatoes that are close to maturity. Pick the large green ones too and see the recipe below for Fried Green Tomatoes.

Don't forget to cut some flowers and bring them inside. Chances are they won't be so nice after Irene rolls through. Flowers will make even the dreariest day cheery.

If you have any garden ornaments, plastic lawn furniture, chimes, empty pots, garden tools, ect.. outside, secure them and take them inside. They will be blown away.

Time for fried green tomatoes!

Here's my mother's recipe. Use firm green tomatoes that arn't too ripe or they will be mushy.

1. Slice the tomato into thick 1/4" to 1/2" slices.

2. Dip in an egg wash (1 egg beaten with some milk)

3. Dredge in flour that is seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika.

4. Fry in an iron skillet using bacon fat on medium heat for about 3 minutes on each side or until browned.

Sprinkle a little kosher or flake salt on top and serve warm on a sandwich, or on a plate, doesn't matter, they are tasty. Sometimes she would sprinkle Old Bay and a little vinegar on them, but then again almost everything we ate had a little Old Bay and vinegar on it.

Getting Ready for Hurricane Irene

2011-08-24T16:16:00.000-04:00

We've tied this Black Chery to the railing

It's time to batten down the tomatoes! Hurricane Irene is coming to NYC, with lashing rain and strong winds. This could mean a tomato disaster if we don't take some important steps. Our tomatoes are grown in pots and even medium strength winds can knock them over. This year, we've made great strides in preventing that by tying them to the railing with twine. To further stabilize the plants, we've tied strategically placed tomato poles to the railing too. We've also placed heavy, soil-filled pots alongside some of the tomato plants to prop them up. But with Irene bearing down, we will go further. We plan to cut back tall branches that have already been picked clean, to provide less lift, even if that means losing some flowering stems. I always hold out hope that those flowers will turn into ripe tomatoes, but with summer sun and heat diminishing, even I can admit that for the biggest varieties, like Brandywine and Cherokee, this is unlikely.

New Cucumber Soup Recipe

2011-08-10T17:35:00.001-04:00

I made a cucumber gazpacho last week from the last of my fresh grown cucumbers and it was truly delish. I especially liked this recipe because it uses fresh mint, which is also growing in my garden.

The soup is so refreshing on a hot summer day. And so easy to make! Using a mild jalapeno pepper gives it just enough kick.

Sadly, my cukes dried up during the heat wave. The vines seem to be coming back now, but it's too early to tell if I'll get anything more than a few flowers that never develop into fruit. That won't stop me from heading to the market and buying fresh cucumbers to make another batch.

Ingredients

1.1 3/4 lbs seedless cucumbers – peeled and cut in 3” pieces (or 2lbs regular cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in 3″ pieces)
2.1/4 medium red onion – skinned
3.1 garlic clove – skinned
4.1 jalapeño – stem removed, halved and seeded
5.8 large mint leaves
6.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
7.2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
8.1 teaspoon maple syrup
9.1 teaspoon sea salt
10.1–6oz non-fat plain yogurt
11.1/2 to 3/4 cup spring water to taste

For the garnishes

1.1 medium yellow tomato – seeded and cut in 1/8” cubes (or 8 yellow grape tomatoes quartered)

2.tiny mint leaves

3.lemon oil

1.Step 1: Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor with 1/2 cup of the spring water. Pulse a few times so the ingredients are coarsely chopped, then process until soup is very smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. If necessary, thin with the remaining water to the desired consistency.

2.Step 2: Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight, until well chilled. Place the soup in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving.

3.Step 2: Ladle soup in chilled soup bowls or cocktail glasses. Drizzle a little lemon oil in the center of each bowl. Garnish with a few tomato cubes, a mint leaf and serve immediately.

4.Cook’s note: The soup can be refrigerated up to 2 days.

Holy Tomato - This baby is two pounds!

2011-08-09T16:20:00.000-04:00

After a tough beginning battling blossom-end rot, worms and a withering heat wave, we have tomatoes. Our Chocolate Stripes, Cherokee Purples and Aunt Ruby's Greens are ripe, juicy and delicious. But the Brandywines are the biggest!

Check out this two-pounder. It's by far the heaviest tomato we've ever grown. Perfect with mozzarella and basil. Mmmm.

The 3 Bs: Birds, bees, and blossom-end rot

2011-07-21T16:13:00.001-04:00

Healthy tomatoes

You know your gardening season is in full swing when you've gotten to the three Bs: birds, bees and blossom-end rot. We've reached the three Bs with a vengeance.
Birds: A pair of mockingbirds are using our blueberry bushes as bird feeders, plucking juicy berries with impunity. Even garden netting can't keep them entirely at bay, though it does help. Worse than the berry pinching is their routine 6 a.m. wake up calls.
Bees: The good news is that the bees are plentiful this year and happily pollinating our tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers. New York City legalized bee keeping last year, which seems to be paying dividends in cucumbers, eggplants and tomatoes.
Other bugs are not so pleasant. Our garden has been attacked by aphids all season, from the arugula to our rosebushes. To control the problem, we've been spraying our plants with soapy water to wash them off the plant (yes, just a few squirts of regular dish liquid and water will do.) We follow up by spraying Ortho organic insecticide on the leaves. We're also trying to reduce the ant population on our terrace. Ants, we've learned, cultivate aphids (they like a certain nectar the aphids secrete.) We're using Combat ant killer, squirting the gel on hard surfaces like the terrace tiles and the rims of pots. The combination of the two insecticides seems to be working well - though vigilence is a must.

But the real bugaboo in our garden this past week? Tomato horn worms. Dozens of them. They're infesting our tomato plants and chewing the leaves off our pepper plants, causing us great consternation. We've declared all out war on the gross green ones, the offspring of the giant hawk moth. We've been out in the early morning and late evening (when they're most active) plucking the fat buggers off of leaves and stems. They're tough to find, so we look for tells: chewed leaves and black droppings. Once we've plucked all we can, we spray the leaves, especially the undersides where they hide, with Safer Caterpillar Killer, an organic insecticide. This is limiting the damage, thankfully. Last night we found several dead worms on our pavers. But we've never seen a worse infestation than we've had this year. Ugh!

Blossom-end rot

And last but not least, there's the dreaded blossom-end rot: Our earliest tomatoes have been affected by black leathery patches that form at the spot where the flower once grew. The only way to combat the rot is with fertilizer high in potassium and low in nitrogen. We were great fans of Hoffmans Tomato Food, but we can no longer find it in Manhattan. This week, we discovered Quick Solutions Garden Food, which has similar ratios of nutrients. Now, we need to have patience. The worst thing about blossom rot is snipping so many green tomatoes. We've been forced to pull at least 25 tomatoes off the vines so far. But there's no point in letting them grow, as the fruit will be half rotten from the disease.

Each year we go through these traumas (or similar ones) and it really is quite frustrating. But I know the joys of gardening will come back when the tomatoes still on the vine ripen and I taste their juicy goodness!

Mockingbirds in Manhattan and Who ate my blueberries?

2011-07-10T23:10:00.001-04:00

So, who knew mockingbirds live in Manhattan? In fact, a very resourceful little one has taken a shine to our blueberries. We planted two mature bushes this spring and the berries have been ripening at a rapid pace over the past two or three weeks. I didn't know, however, that they would attract the wily grey flier. I've seen him flitting about lately, not knowing what species he was or what he had his eyes on. Then this weekend, he landed right on our bush. As I jumped to the window, he hopped to our railing with a plump blueberry in his beak. He stared me down (as if mocking me!) and swallowed the big berry whole! Before I shooed him, I grabbed my camera and took this shot. That enabled me to identify him in my bird book. Since then he's dropped in several times a day, and we've rushed out to scare him off. Luckily he announces himself with his complex bird song, so we have advance warning. To thwart him, I'm trying to pick off all the ripe berries before he can grab them. Though when we're at work, he's going to have his fill. We might try to get a plastic owl to scare him off - but he seems too smart for that. I don't really mind sharing with the little critter, after all, he is a handsome fellow. I just hope he doesn't tell his friends!! And I hope he doesn't like tomatoes!
Now I'm getting just a little a taste of what it's like to garden in the suburbs, where all manner of creature comes to feast...

Urban Gardening Salute to the Sun

2011-06-27T22:58:00.000-04:00

Ready to pick

I went to Vermont for a 3 day Wanderlust yoga festival over the weekend, and my garden did a salute to the sun! Over the weelend, the two cukes on the vines doubled in size; the blueberries went from small and green to plump and bright blue; the cherry tomatoes sprouted fruit; and the hydrangea exploded with colorful flowers. Wow!

Hydrangea in bloom

Cucumber salad

Frying peppers

Blueberry burst

How to grow cucumbers

2011-06-23T14:57:00.000-04:00

Hooray! My cucumbers are gowing. Last year, the little devils just did not cooperate. I got vines, but the cukes only grew to the size of large jelly beans!
If this early kirby is any example, I will be getting a healthy crop this year.
I'm not sure what got in the way last season, but I made a couple of changes this year. First, I bought the vines you see in the photo from the Green Market instead of planting from seed. (I also have vines growing from seed and those I will report on when -and if - they produce.)
Another change: I planted them in a long planter rather than a large round pot. Certain veggies, including lettuce, seem to grow best in the long shallow containers. I am using trellises to hold up the vines, and they seem to like this arrangement.
I have heard that bees are needed to pollinate cukes, but I haven't seen many around the plants, so maybe that's just an old wives tale. At any rate, I am looking forward to adding the fresh produce to my salad soon!

Casting Call: Farmers wanted for major cable network show

2011-06-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

Just found out about this opportunity and figured I'd share, dear readers. It's a casting call for farmers. Could this be Green Acres reality style??

CASTING CALL: LOOKING FOR UNIQUE AND ECCENTRIC FARMERS

Most people assume farms and farmers are boring. Are you the
person that can prove them wrong?

A major cable network is seeking charismatic, larger than life
FARMERS or a farming family who are UNIQUE!. Ideally you are on
a working farm, have an interesting background that led you to your
work and are the LAST person your friends and family thought would
be a farmer. Must have a vast knowledge of the farming industry and
be able to clearly explain it on camera, especially to people less
familiar with the subject.

Please e-mail the following information to info@lescasting.com with the subject line as
"Eccentric Farmer Application"

Name, Age, Location
Contact Information
Some photos of your yourself
Summary of why you would be ideal for the program

Summer!

2011-05-31T14:34:00.001-04:00

East coast weather quickly went from wet and wild to hot and steamy! And our garden is heating up too. We spent Memorial Day weekend planting the tomatoes and basil and firing up the watering system. The blueberry bushes we bought a month ago are already bursting with nearly ripe berries. Can't wait to try them! The rest of the veggie plants are prospering in the heat too. The eggplants and peppers are growing tall and leafy, the cucumber seedlings I bought at the Union Square Green Market are already flowering and the ones I planted from seed are coming along nicely.
It should be a productive summer (if the ants and aphids don't spoil the fun - stay tuned)!

Salad days

2011-05-23T17:39:00.000-04:00

The East Coast has been under a rain cloud for more than 2 weeks! Not pleasant for anyone who wants to get out and do some gardening...
But the greens are groovin' on this weather! My lettuce is growing strong and crisp. It's tender and tasty and really beats store bought. The arugula, oregano, parsley and rosemary are also loving the cool, cloudy, wet weather. So, I am making lemons from lemonade - or rather - I'm eating plenty of salad, and throwing in handfuls of fresh herbs.
Of course, some veggies are not happy about the lack of sun. The cucumbers plants, grown from seed are still puny, the eggplants, recently purchased as seedlings from the green market, have yet to take off, and the strawberries are not ripening. For their sake, I can only hope the sun will come out tomorrow...though the forecast calls for rain...

Will this rain kill my seedlings??

2011-05-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

I planted my sweet new pepper and eggplant seedlings last week and the little buggers were looking good. Then all this rain started coming down...and it hasn't stopped...for days. It's raining hard, right now. Every morning I go out and check the plants and they seem to be okay. But I'm getting worried.

We also planted two beautiful blueberry bushes and six window boxes with Impatiens and Petunias. Oh, and we put two new rose bush starters we bought at Home Depot into their pots.

Will this epic deluge destroy my seedlings? What's a gardener to do??

Time to shop for supplies!

2011-05-17T23:04:00.001-04:00

Yes, it's been raining in New York for days and it feels like the sun may never shine again. But I know eventually, the skies will clear and I'll be able to get outside to do some more gardening. And right about now is when we go shopping for all the supplies we'll need for the season.

Over several years of gardening in New York City, my husband and I have discovered several local shops that offer a great selection of pots, soil, plants and other essentials at relatively good prices. Of course, New Yorkers will never have the breadth of choice that our suburban cohorts have, but we can find everything we need just fine.

Having a Home Depot across town is a big help. Every spring we make the trek to the 23rd St. store to pick up the basics like Miracle Grow potting soil. This year we got new window boxes (at about $10 a piece). I also learned that six packs of impatiens were going for a very reasonable 99 cents each last week!

Try Saiffee Hardware, in the East Village at 114 First Avenue and 7th St. to find cedar planters at decent prices. It also carries a variety of fertilizers, soil and tools.

In the flower district, Jamali Garden Supplies at 149 W. 28th St,which is jam packed with everything from the hard to find but essential Hoffman Tomato Food to decorative items for entertaining outdoors, has even better prices.

A wholesaler directly across the street sells cedar planters and other containers at deep discounts.

Whole Foods carries organic seeds for a variety of herbs and veggies. Most are $2 or under.

For seedlings, the Union Square Green Market cannot be beat. The selection runs the gamut from basic basil to a wealth of heirloom tomato varieties, eggplant, lettuce and well, almost anything that you could think of growing.

While hitting the pavement has its benefits, some items are just easier to find online. In early spring, we log onto Tomatofest.com to buy our organic heirloom tomato seeds. The variety is endless and the seeds always produce strong plants.

Miller Nurseries, http://www.millernurseries.com, will ship fruit trees and bushes. We ordered our blueberry bushes from Miller last season, along with special fertilizer and a digital PH meter. (Full disclosure: the plants flamed out during a heat wave. This year we bought more mature plants at a nursery in Morristown, New Jersey.)

Serious gardeners looking to create an automated watering system can head to The Drip Store at http://dripirrigation.com/. The site carries a comprehensive selection of timers, tubing, valves, filters and more. It takes a mechanical mind to assemble such a system, but it’s worth it. No more early morning watering before work or calling in the neighbors when you’re on vacation!

Urban Gardening Made Easy

2011-05-06T17:44:00.000-04:00

With the summer season heating up, now is the perfect time to start your urban garden. Even if your outdoor space seems too small, if you get good sunlight, pull up those petunias and plant some tomatoes. No outdoor space? No problem. Plant an indoor herb garden. Every day, people are getting more serious about eating well and growing their own. Here are some tips that can help you put your green thumbs to work.

Sure, it would be great to grow your own seedlings and plant numerous crops. But start small and learn along the way. Trying to do too much at once could result in disappointment.

As a first step, stop by Home Depot or your local hardware store to pick up a few large pots (18 to 20 inches wide for tomatoes or peppers, window boxes for your herbs) and some soil. Miracle Grow works just fine, but if you want to go organic, you can find organic potting soil there too.

You’ll see plenty of seeds for sale, but for the first season, let some experienced farmers get you started. Go to the Union Square Green Market and buy seedlings. You will find a great variety of veggies that can be grown in pots waiting for adoption. The organically grown seedlings are more likely to come with pests like aphids and tomato hornworms, but this is the price we pay for a skipping toxins. And organic pest killers are available at gardening supply shops.

Pick two or three crops, say tomatoes, peppers and basil. If you are a beginner, patio tomatoes are easiest to manage and they taste great. The plants don’t get too tall or bushy and they can withstand windy conditions. If you’re more experienced, try Brandywine or Cherokee Purple heirloom varieties. These are big beefsteak tomatoes that require more fertilizing and take up more room. They need to be staked because they get quite tall, but they are delicious. Speaking of fertilizer, I swear by Hoffman Tomato Food, which can be found at Jamali Floral & Garden Suppliers on W. 28th St. for about $5. Used as directed, it can help your plants grow strong and healthy and avoid diseases like blossom-end rot.

Bell peppers are another good choice for beginners. They're easy to grow and are quite productive. One or two plants will yield dozens of peppers through the season.

At the market, you will find plenty of herbs, including basil, parsley and thyme. They can co-exist in a long window box. A flat of basil plants - about four to six - can be planted about 6 inches apart in a box and each one will provide enough leaves when fully grown to make a delicious pesto. Or pick a few leaves off all season long to toss into salads or pasta sauce.

Tomatoes need lots of sun so place them in the brightest spot. Peppers like the sun too. The herbs will do well in sun or partly shady conditions.

Be sure to keep your crops hydrated. Plants in pots tend to need more water than those in the ground. The best times to water is early morning and late afternoon. Avoid watering in the midday sun. If you're planning on taking weekend getaways, get a neighbor to stop by.

Buy a dozen tomato poles and Velcro plant ties to support the vines as the fruit grows.

One of the great benefits of growing your own is a new found focus on fresh food and healthy vegetables. And each year, your garden can become more sophisticated and productive. This will be my seventh season of planting with my husband Mitch and we've certainly expanded our horizons. We've installed an automated watering system and have extended our crop list well beyond tomatoes and peppers to include lettuce, cucumbers, eggplants, strawberries, blueberries and all manner of herbs.

So, go ahead. Treat yourself and your family to an urban garden this summer. Why wait!

Tomato debut - 2011

2011-05-04T13:05:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to report that our 2011 tomato seedlings are growing strong. Planted just two weeks ago, they are already a few inches high and looking healthy. We decided to use the same heirloom seeds we purchased last year at Tomatofest.com and we had no problems. Aunt Ruby's German Green, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Chocolate Stripe and Black Cherry all rose to the occasion. They'll soon be ready for the great outdoors!

This is always an exciting time - though of course not quite as exciting as when we get to pick ripe tomatoes off the vine and taste their deliciousness. Ah, we'll have to wait till summer for that mouthwatering treat...

Blooms and bluejays

2011-04-29T16:43:00.000-04:00

This morning I heard the unmistakeable caw of the bluejays and I felt my heart leap a little. One landed on the terrace just outside my bedroom window, catching the attention of my cat Minnie.
I just love to see the jays. They always come at this time of year to signal the beginning of planting season.
And we're ready to go. Last weekend, the hubs and I visited friends in the suburbs of New Jersey and made a bee line for a nursery near Morristown.

We picked up two blueberry bushes. We had bad luck last summer in our first attempt to plant blueberries - a heatwave fried the young bushes that we mail-ordered from Miller Nurseries. This season we're going with more mature plants. Hopefully, they will survive and thrive!
Along with our berry bushes, we bought strawberry seedlings. We have some growing in a pot, but they aren't terribly productive. Here's hoping the additional plants will solve that problem. It will be nice to have mixed berries for breakfast!

Meanwhile, the hyacinths are in full bloom. Ah, springtime...

Arugula surprise!

2011-04-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

What a surprise I had last week! Arugula sprouting in the window box! Despite rain and freezing cold, there it was, green and gorgeous, and tasty too.

And last year's lettuce has also reappeared. It was all the inspiration I needed. On Saturday I headed to the green market and bought two packs of starter lettuce plants - red and green leaf varieties. Can't wait to add the tomatoes, peppers and herbs!

Hyancinths Arise

2011-03-30T15:59:00.000-04:00

Spring is on the way, and so are my hyacinths! I had to pull them up last summer when we planted a Scotch broom into their pot. (we quickly learned that Scotch brooms are not a good choice for a terrace garden.) I had received a gift of hyacinth blooms several Easters ago from my dear friend Miriam. Three stems multiplied into close to 20 over the years. I stored them over the summer in my closet in paper bags punched with little holes. I meant to plant them promptly in the fall, in our window box where the impatiens were growing. Of course I procrastinated, (and the impatiens stayed strong through the warm autumn.) I finally planted the bulbs just days before the first frost. And then, well, what a cold winter we had. I wasn't sure they would survive. But here they are, pushing their green tips through the soil. By Easter,the purple flowers should be in full bloom.

When to start the seedlings??

2011-03-09T12:39:00.000-05:00

A local urban gardener, who blogs at Gardening in the Boroughs of NYC, recently asked whether we'd started our seedlings yet. Good question! Last year at this time, we had already purchased our tomato seeds and I would say by mid-March, our peat pots were on the window sill and little green shoots were sprouting.
Not this year. We are waiting for two reasons. First of all, we are renovating our kitchen, so our apartment is a wreck and we have no place to safely grow any plants, let alone tender veggies. But we are also waiting until April because we want to start the seedlings closer to when we will put them in their outdoor pots, in late May. Last year, we found that starting earlier didn't make the plants grow better or stronger. In fact, they were indoors for too long and became long and spindly - not fat and stout.
What about you? When are you starting your plants? When do you put them outdoors?