Guiding Principles for a Garden in Tune with Nature
Posted in Exhibitions, The Edible Garden on July 20th, 2010 by Plant Talk – Be the first to commentSoil and Seasons Are Key, Says Stone Barns Farm Manager
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Jack Algiere is the Four-Season Farm Manager at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York. He co-curated one of The Edible Garden’s Celebrity Chef Kitchen Gardens with Dan Barber, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Blue Hill. |
As we dance our way through the seasons, Dan Barber (pictured left with me) reminds me often that I (the farmer) lead the way. If this is so, I have learned all my moves from watching and imitating the nimble flow of nature. Whether the tarantella or a tomato salad, the principles remain the same: communication and respect.
Understanding the fundamentals of the soil and the seasons is key to growing delicious food for nourishing and inspiring meals. At Stone Barns, we rely on several principles to maintain balance in our ecosystem, and these principles can guide the home gardener as well.
First, recognize that the whole of nature exhibits diversity and change. In the garden we replicate this through a balanced rotation of diversified crops. My preference is to diversify by plant families such as the nightshade, legume, mustard, or chicory. read more »