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You can call me SL, this is about living.  |
hardneck garlic from my 2012 archive 
lettuce rosette from my 2012 archive 
asparagus spear emerging from my 2012 archive March 20, 2012 Spring Can you believe it? Today is the first day of spring. And what a perfect spring day it was, not that I was able to enjoy it, I sat in front of the computer all day working. But I have been able to enjoy Plot 95 the past two weekends so no complaints here. There has been nonstop mention of what a warm winter we had in New York this year. I have to agree but still I grumbled plenty. This California girl can't hang, although this summer will mark 10 years since I moved from that Golden State. Who needs gorgeous weather anyways. archives: Garden |
 8 varieties of tomatoes from my 2011 archive
August 18, 2011 Variety The last few weeks, I have been forced to minimize my time in Plot95. I had a severe allergic reaction from too many mosquito bites, particularly around my ankles. They swelled, similar to when you have an ankle injury or when you are in the last stages of pregnancy. I had to continuously ice my ankles for nearly a week before they went back to their normal size. The other night, The Swede came home with several pounds of tomatoes (squeal). The harvest he brought home contained eight varieties. Most I can identify. The others are a mystery. We should know one from another since we marked each plant with a popsicle stick bearing the variety name. But in the process of weeding, some of them were pulled. Not sure how that happened. A weed looks nothing like a popsicle stick. The tomatoes I can identify are Purple Cherokee Heirloom, Black Plum, Sugar Lump, Early Girl, Chadwick Cherry, Amish Paste, and possibly Arkansas Traveler. I cannot remember if the Arkansas Traveler seedling survived or not. The Purple Cherokee is my new obsession. It is a large variety that is prone to cracking along its shoulders. The interior is another story. It is smooth, very meaty with a few seeds along its outer rim, and has a gorgeous mix of purple, red, and green flesh. They are undoubtedly special, I can now understand why people are willing to pay $4 a pound for these tomatoes. They are well worth it. archives: Garden |
purple new potatoes from my 2011 archive 
purple new potatoes from my 2011 archive July 23, 2011 Little gems The Swede and I are conducting a few experiments in the garden. We are growing purple potatoes, peanuts, and a Brown Turkey fig tree, all in five gallon buckets. The buckets are not the most attractive containers, but we thought best not to make a substantial investment until we knew the crops would be successful. The peanuts and the fig tree are thriving (knock on wood), and the potatoes were until recently. I found a few purple potatoes that had eyes growing on them at the Union Square Farmers Market (technically called the Union Square Greenmarket). I affectionately refer to it as "FM" for short. The potatoes were planted in about eight inches of soil, then soil was added each time the green shoots reached another six inches. The shoots eventually became thick stalks and reached the top of the bucket, then flowers emerged. And suddenly, the stalks collapsed. I am not sure whether it was from this extreme heat wave we are having or from disease. Gardening is a mystery, an ever evolving learning lesson. The Swede and I decided to cut the experiment short and harvest. The potatoes were very tiny, but wonderfully cute. I am looking forward to trying them. A lot of work for a such a small crop, but I am all about quality in the garden, not quantity, and trying new things. archives: Garden |
salumi from my 2011 archive July 19, 2011 Cured Nosiness disguised as curiosity resulted in the kindness of a stranger. I chatted up a guy who was being photographed around my community garden yesterday. He is starting a charcuterie, and he gave me some salumi to sample. The one on the left is about as long as a corn cob. The one in the middle is made with black truffles. Swoon. archives: Food, Garden |
sugar snap peas and Sugar Lump tomatoes from my 2011 archive
July 14, 2011 Bounty It is that time, the garden is lush and productive. Like me, a few things cannot take this heat and are struggling, but others like tomatoes are as happy as can be. All the constant care, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and staking, that goes into maintaining Plot95 is completely worthwhile when I can harvest a few peas or tomatoes and eat them directly in the garden. Nothing compares to growing your own food, I am hooked. archives: Garden |
asparagus from my 2011 archive
July 7, 2011 Hello asparagus! Two spears of asparagus popped up in Plot95 which made me squeal on the inside (and a little on the outside). I bought two asparagus plants for $5 at the Union Square Farmers Market and was told they were in their second year. I have read that asparagus is not ready until the third year. Spears may or may not appear in the second year. If they do, then you should not harvest them. If left untouched, they will assist in making a better yield the following year. I planted the asparagus in two different locations in the garden just to see what they preferred. One is planted in full sun next to garlic, tomatoes, and chives. The other is in a slightly shaded bed with cilantro, elephant garlic, chicory, arugula, and mesclun. The latter is thriving. The other is fine but has grown very little. It was a complete shock when I noticed the spears had sprung up through the chicory heads, seemingly overnight. I was very tempted to taste one. But I resisted the urge, remembering that it will affect next year's crop. By the next day, the spears had already fanned out and turned into ferns. It amazes me how quickly plants in the garden change. Every day is truly a new discovery. archives: Garden |
English lavender from my 2011 archive
snow peas from my 2011 archive
sugar snap peas, snow peas, Kuroda carrots, Tonda di Parigi carrots, sweet basil
from my 2011 archive 
Genovese basil seedlings from my 2011 archive
plum purple radish from my 2011 archive
June 30, 2011 Lush It has rained quite a bit in recent weeks. New York City has had its fair share of severe thunderstorms. Following these rains, we have also had many intensely hot days. This has resulted in lush crops in the garden. Plot95 has been producing a steady supply of sugar snap peas, snow peas, radishes, lettuce, herbs, chamomile, tomatoes, and an occasional strawberry. The Swede and I decided to thin out the carrots and beets after noticing they were crowded. I have read that a single beet seed will typically produce more than one beet plant, so you have no choice but to thin them. Interesting. I find thinning crops hard to do. It seems wasteful, but it must be done. This year, I am growing both Genovese basil and sweet basil. Some of my friends claim sweet basil makes superior pesto. I have transplanted seedlings around the garden without marking them, so I am relying on my memory. We will have to wait and see; I am hoping I will be able to identify them by sight if my memory fails me. Surprisingly, my favorite plant in the garden at the moment is an English lavender. I planted it last season as a small transplant, and it did not fair well all summer. I left it to overwinter, thinking it was a lost cause. It not only survived, but has thrived. I have always admired a survivor. archives: Garden |
graffiti artists at work
Astoria, NY from my 2011 archive 
tomato plant
Astoria, NY from my 2011 archive June 27, 2011 Over the weekend, a group of graffiti artists were at work changing murals near Plot95. Some new works were a welcome change, others were not. The majority of my favorite works were spared, which is great luck, however Roa's ferret/weasel is getting a new background. I did not stay long enough to see what the artists were painting, but I hope I will like it. Maybe I will even love it. I was also concerned that Peat Wollaeger's Statue of Liberty would be touched, luckily it was not. "The Eyez" on the door are, however, painted over with new work. It was a good reminder of the impermanence of Street Art, enjoy it while it lasts. I also received a surprise while walking around looking at the works in progress, a tomato plant. A tomato plant that was growing from a crack between a wall and the sidewalk. It gave me a smile to find it in the unlikeliest of places. It has been raining quite a bit, so I think it has a good chance at surviving and possibly setting fruit. I know that the wind takes seeds to other locations, but I always imagine this happens in open places, not urban areas with buildings. I like to think the seeds that gave this plant life are from the garden, one block away. A few summers ago, I complimented my Mother on her luscious and bushy tomato plants. I commented, "Wow, you planted tomatoes, they are huge." She replied, "Oh, no, I just threw (fresh) juice pulp out the door and they grew." archives: Garden, Street Art |
Green String Farm, a field of Lacinato Kale
Petaluma, CA from my 2009 archive 
Green String Farm, rosettes of greens
Petaluma, CA from my 2009 archive 
Green String Farm, a rooster and his hens
Petaluma, CA from my 2009 archive June 18, 2011 Dreams I have been obsessively thinking of three things (1) more space to garden (2) rosettes (3) and chickens. I am extremely grateful for the 9 x 13 feet of earth that I call Plot95. Without it, I would go mad in this concrete jungle of a life. I am still, however, constantly dreaming of more space to garden, to raise a few hens (and perhaps a few ducks), to cook outdoors, and to sip iced tea and wine sitting by a wood fire with family and friends. I also have rosettes on the mind, rosettes of lettuce, rosettes of collards, rosettes of flowers, and rosettes of succulents. I think my dreams are realistic. I already downsized them from my dream of cold pressing olive oil in the orchards of my Tuscan villa. archives: Garden |
plum purple radishes from my 2011 archive
June 13, 2011 Radishes continued... It is radish harvest time. They are continuously revealing themselves by pushing their way out of the soil which is their way of saying, "Harvest me." There is something immensely gratifying about pulling up crops. They have been beneath the soil for weeks and it is nice to finally see them. The Swede and I decided to take the radishes home instead of eating them on the spot. He put them in his backpack for the bike ride home. Then he forgot about them. So did I, until a few days later. The radishes survived, and we ate them diced in a potato salad. They were a wonderful addition. Their flavor had mellowed, and they were not as spicy as the first time I had eaten one in the garden. The lettuce in the background is called "Tom Thumb" lettuce. It is a tidy and compact butterhead variety with a mild flavor and a soft crisp texture. The delicate rosettes are easy to grow and are by far the most elegant lettuce heads in the garden. My new favorite. archives: Garden |
 Black Swallowtail and Swiss chard from my 2011 archive
June 11, 2011 Visitor I had a garden visitor on one of the Swiss chard plants that bolted and is about to set seed. It was a black butterfly with yellow and blue markings. I googled and found out it is called a Black Swallowtail. This Swiss chard plant was one of three that survived the brutal winter. It was fairly productive for a few weeks this spring until the weather began to warm. Then it bolted. Although there is always risk of bolting in hot weather, my Swiss chard plants were productive throughout Summer 2010 without doing it. Through research, I found that chard does overwinter, but then tends to bolt early in the spring. I am allowing all the plants in my garden to set seeds since I am determined to collect and dry the seeds for future use. I did it skeptically a few times last year, and I am happy to say a few plants in the garden this year are from seeds I collected last year. Back to the absolutely stunning butterfly. I hope this type becomes a regular visitor. This was the first time I had ever seen one with these markings and colors. Strange enough, later that day I spotted one at the Farmers Market in Union Square. Two lucky sightings in one day. archives: Garden |
plum purple radish from my 2011 archive
June 7, 2011 Radish Plot95 is thriving. I try to make time to water the garden every day, but sometimes that does not happen. I have not been since Friday, and I was a little worried. It was not extremely hot over the weekend but warm enough for concern. I expected to see a few newly planted seedlings slumped over and perhaps a few dried leaves here and there. There was no need for worry, everything was fine and happily thriving. When I went to hill the radishes, I noticed one that had pushed itself out of the soil. It was slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball. I took the cue and harvested it. I also washed and ate it on the spot. It was very spicy, borderline fiery. Radishes typically build some extra heat in the peak of summer, not usually this early. The purple skin on the radish contrasted beautifully with the stark white interior. I am really looking forward to harvesting a handful of them. I have this vision of them thinly sliced, sautéed in butter, and served over white fish. I hope they will keep their purple color when cooked, the color is just so gorgeous. archives: Garden |
arugula and mesclun seedlings from my 2011 archive
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Starling bird
from my 2011 archive |
softneck garlic, oregano and thyme cuttings
from my 2011 archive |
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May 26, 2011
Plot95 progress At the end of last season, The Swede and I decided that we should lift up the raised beds, turn everything under (except for some herbs, Swiss chard, and of the course the garlic we planted) and start fresh for Season 2011. At the beginning of this season, I regretted that decision. The weather has not been cooperative this spring, and it has repeatedly delayed the making of the new beds, transplanting seedlings, and sowing seeds. I finally managed to sow some romaine, radish, carrot, pea, endive, arugula, and mesclun seeds. While most of the beds remained brown with nothing green in them, the arugula and mesclun were the first to emerge with bursts of green and touches of red. The Swede also carved out a new area in our plot for our garden bench. He spread the displaced soil into the pathway, and the birds immediately flocked to look for earthworms and grubs. They were not shy about it, they got right up in there. I also harvested more of the young softneck garlic; they turned out to be not-so-young anymore. They were extremely hard to dig up, so I ended up accidentally troweling into their bulbs. I had not expected the bulbs to form so quickly. It has only been about two weeks since the last harvest, and they have begun to bulge. The flavor has also changed. Still great, but not as pungent. The stalks have already started to become wooden. The color of the bulbs has intensified and is turning a beautiful red color. I am so in love with growing garlic. Tomatoes are the obvious choice for eliciting excitement in the garden, but garlic is quickly becoming a strong contender. archives: Garden |
Eisenia fetida, commonly called red worms from my 2011 archive
May 12, 2011 Worms I have been wanting to compost with worms for many years, ever since I first watched someone harvest their vermicompost. The person was a former landlord (think Christopher Walken's long lost twin) of The Swede's. I observed as the landlord mounded some of the matter prompting the worms to crawl downwards. He was then able to scoop some from the top, worm free, and held it for me to smell. It had a sweet, robust, earthy scent. I was instantly sold on the method, and have been pining to get worms ever since. Last week, I finally got my wish, nearly seven years later. The Swede has been understandably reluctant to compost indoors using a worm bin. If it is done right, it is low maintenance and wonderful. If it is done wrong, you have a mess (and putrid smell) on your hands. He finally agreed to an outdoor trial run in Plot95. If all goes well, we will bring the worms indoors for the winter, then back out again each spring. We found a discarded fruit crate while out biking that we modified into a worm bin. We lined it with wire mesh to allow for air circulation while keeping rodents out. We also built an inverted lid that I will line with plastic and then fill with soil and either succulents or lettuce. The worms will soon have their own rooftop garden to keep them cool and to keep out the rain. What luxury. I ordered the worms at the cost of $22 per pound, and then picked them up at The Lower East Side Ecology Center's stand at the Union Square Farmers Market. I was skeptical that there were really 1,000 worms, which the woman quoted, in the milk carton I was handed since it was half full and not very heavy. But later that evening as The Swede and I transferred the worms into their new home, more and more worms revealed themselves until there was a clumped mass of them at the bottom; I was now a believer. (They like to be as far away from the light as possible.) We had prepped the bin by filling it halfway with shredded newspaper and dampening it. The worms were then scattered on top and covered with food scraps and dried leaves. Several days in and they are happily munching away. A few days ago, I added leftover pulp from a carrot, apple, celery, ginger, and lime juice I made. I also added some washed crushed eggshells which supposedly encourages them to procreate. Soon I hope there will be worm baby stories to share. archives: Garden |
young softneck garlic from Plot95 from my 2011 archive
May 10, 2011 Hello garlic! continued... Look at those roots, I love the lines they create. They are like veins, literally. While rearranging the beds in Plot95, I had to pull out some of the softneck and hardneck garlic to transplant to another bed. I was having a major allergy attack that day, so my energy quickly declined. I replanted most of them, but not all. I gave away some of the softneck garlic to a fellow gardener and brought home the rest with no specific plan. I ended up chopping them, and sautéing them with olive oil, salt, pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, and beaten eggs. I served it over rice; simple and surprisingly wonderful. The flavor was sweet, less sharp than an onion, and not quite garlicky yet. I plan to do a succession planting of them sometime soon. I have a feeling many of them will never grow into bulbs--just too good to eat while young. I am hooked. archives: Garden |
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at BBG
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at BBG
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
cherry blossoms, Sakura Matsuri Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive 
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at BBG
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
"Cosplay," Sakura Matsuri Festival at BBG
Brooklyn, NY from my 2011 archive |
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May 5, 2011
Cherry Blossoms I am hooked on the pom-pom like flowers. This is the fourth year in a row I went to see the cherry blossoms at The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG). The BBG holds a "Sakura Matsuri Festival" annually during the last weekend of April with Japanese food, music, performances, and crafts. It is held under an esplanade of trees teeming with blossoms that makes you feel like you are in the midst of a fairy tale. It is a great day to be out, people are happy and the mood is festive. It is hard to have a worry in the world in such a magnificent setting. (Unless you are 50 people deep in a line for the women's restroom.) Last year the blossoms had bloomed and dropped by the festival weekend. The Swede's Mother and Father were planning to visit at the time of the festival, and we thought what luck since they are Japanophiles (his Father especially has a thing for mochi with a red bean filling). When we arrived, we were greeted by a sea of green. Woe. Not a bad thing normally, but we had wanted to be greeted by a sea of PINK! This year in the weeks leading up to the festival weekend, I obsessively checked the map. The weather was cold and wet one day, hot and clear the next. Each time the wind blew too hard or the temperature climbed, I held my breath. By Thursday, the cherry blossoms had bloomed and peaked, so I crossed my fingers they would hold until Saturday. They did, thank you blossom gods. The timing was perfect, not only were the cherry blossoms out in their full glory, but the lilacs and tulips were also at their peak. This year I paid more attention to the teens dressed up in "Cosplay," also called "Costume Play." I realized this was the only event where I have seen large groups of teens hanging out with friends and having fun in a botanic garden without their parents. That to me, is a beautiful thing. archives: Garden |
foreground: lavender, rainbow Swiss chard, thyme, oregano, Swiss chard background: softneck garlic, hardneck garlic, softneck garlic from my 2011 archive April 26, 2011 Hello garlic! continued... It has been roughly five weeks since I last gave an update on the softneck and hardneck garlic that I planted. The softneck garlic leaves have tripled in size and the hardneck leaves have at least quadrupled. I am so impressed. Not by my ability as a gardener, but by their ability to do their thing without my interference. I planted them in November and have not watered them even once. Mother Nature has given them sizable doses of rainfall and snowfall including a December blizzard. Some of the stalks are getting quite thick, and I envision robust bulbs beneath the soil line. I have resisted all temptations to pull them out to check on them, then immediately replant. (Which I did all too often with onions gardening season 2010.) Better to leave them alone, they appreciate it. The Swiss chards, oregano, and thyme are going strong, the latter two, very fragrant, compact, and bushy. The lavender and rosemary are still alive, but need time to recover. I am confident they will, with a little pruning and encouragement. I did not think for a second herbs like oregano and thyme would be able to survive such extreme winter temperatures, but they proved me wrong. I brought home some cuttings, minced them, and sprinkled them onto leftovers. So wonderful to have fresh herbs in April. I also took my first bike ride of the season. There will be many more reports from "Plot95" as I have nicknamed it. archives: Garden |
Newton of the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Bronx, NY from my 2010 archive April 11, 2011 An Appreciation I am a Member of The New York Botanical Garden, and The Swede and I visit a minimum of twice a year. We always leave happy, rejuvenated, and holding a bag from the gift shop... Recently I had the opportunity to write for their blog regarding city children and food education. Check out the post and please visit The New York Botanical Garden if you have the opportunity. I guarantee you will fall in love. It is truly one of my favorite places in New York. archives: Garden |
softneck and hardneck garlic scapes from my 2011 archive
March 15, 2011 Hello garlic! The garlic I previously mentioned is doing great. The rosemary, thyme, Swiss chard, and garden gnome are not looking so hot but they DID survive. The garlic has thrived and the softneck scapes are a good five to seven inches tall. Wow. I am very excited as this early start will ensure some robust garlic bulbs. (I do know there are no guarantees in the garden, but I will remain hopeful.) If you look closely in the foreground, the smaller scapes emerging are the hardneck garlic. I have never grown them before and am excited to witness their progress. Loving this warmer albeit wetter weather. archives: Garden |
hardneck and softneck garlic cloves ready to be planted from my 2010 archive
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rosemary, gnome, and a sprig of thyme
from my 2010 archive |
garlic scapes emerging from the snow
from my 2010 archive |
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March 9, 2011
Promises It is warming up. Spring is on the way (finally!) and that means it is time to plan for the garden. The Swede and I have an individual plot in a community garden. We were waitlisted for over a year and late last spring we were issued a plot (we were ecstatic to say the least). It is essential to stay connected to nature in some way when you live in a "concrete jungle." And the refuge of the garden has proven to be therapeutic, especially after a long day at work. Last fall after overwintering our plot, we planted some hardneck and softneck garlic cloves. I had researched (and heard) that garlic can overwinter which would give it an early start once the weather warms up in the spring. The hardnecks were purchased at a Farmers Market and the softnecks were purchased at a supermarket chain. The cloves were planted sometime in November and to my surprise they had sprouted and grown by late December. It was amazing to brush away the snow and to see that the cloves had made progress during such extreme temperatures. Apparently while I was freezing, the cloves had no problem at all with the weather. We made the decision to leave various plants in the garden instead of potting them and bringing them home to see if they would survive. That included rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemongrass, Swiss chard, and a few other things I cannot remember now. I will report back on what made it and what did not. For Garden Season 2011, I am making a promise to do a better job with documenting our plot (and our bounty!). archives: Garden |
NYBG's "The Orchid Show: On Broadway" Bronx, NY from my 2011 archive |
NYBG's "The Orchid Show: On Broadway"
Bronx, NY from my 2011 archive |
NYBG's "The Orchid Show: On Broadway"
Bronx, NY from my 2011 archive |
NYBG's "The Orchid Show: On Broadway" from my 2011 archive
Bronx, NY from my 2011 archive March 5, 2011 Beauty The Swede and I have gone to The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) a minimum of twice a year for the past three years for two of their annual shows; The Orchid Show and The Edible Garden Show. The Orchid Show for 2011 opened today and is titled and themed, "The Orchid Show: On Broadway." It is simply spectacular. The orchids this year are especially fragrant (as are the gardenias that are in another section of the greenhouse). Orchids are one of those flowers that command your attention. They seem to say, "LOOK at ME." I have to say I enjoyed this show and the one in 2009 titled, "The Orchid Show: Brazilian Modern" the most. Both shows were able to transform the space in the greenhouse and to make the experience unique to their chosen themes. At this time of year, everything at the NYBG is ALL about orchids. They take over the gift shop and everyone seems to be in search of one to buy. After seeing the show, it is hard not to want to buy one. The gift shop has an amazing selection and sells some orchids that I have never seen anywhere else. As I watched many people buying orchids, I did feel a bit bad for them. I could not help but think most of those orchids will not last more than a week with their new owners (but I do wish them luck!). I have had past success with orchids when I lived in Southern California, but cannot seem to provide stable conditions for them to survive all four seasons in this East Coast weather. So for now, l will have to settle for enjoying the NYBG's show year after year. archives: Garden |
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