Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Archive: October 2010
Posted in Gardening Tips on October 4 2010, by Sonia Uyterhoeven
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Sonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. Join her each weekend for home gardening demonstrations on a variety of topics in the Home Gardening Center. |
Years ago, I returned home to Massachusetts after living in England for 10 years and drove around my old neighborhood with a friend. I commented on a pretty purple flower I saw growing in a wetland area. When I asked her what it was, she cringed and told me it was purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, pictured. Photo by Wikipedia user Meggar). At first I thought her reaction was severe until, continuing our drive, I realized it had taken over many wetland areas. Where were the native cattails (Typha), the sedges (Carex), and the swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) that I had grown up with?
Ecosystems are by definition complex, and the lives of their inhabitants are interconnected. When an ecosystem is thrown out of balance by an invasive intruder, more than the flora suffers.
Insects, birds, amphibians, and mammals all depend on the native flora for food, shelter, and nesting sites and materials. An area stripped of its native vegetation creates a sterile environment that is no longer inhabitable to many creatures.
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Posted in Exhibitions, The Edible Garden on October 1 2010, by Plant Talk
Pumpkins will be center stage this month: at The Edible Garden Conservatory Kitchen, at a brand new display during Halloween Hoorah in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, in the Pumpkin Patch across from the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, and in a special showcase of champion giant pumpkins.
This weekend (October 2–3) don’t miss Classy Parker of Just Food and Jason Weiner of Almond restaurants whip up dishes with pumpkins (and potatoes, too!).
Columbus Day Weekend (October 9–11) brings more pumpkins and cooking with kids at a harvest celebration featuring celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, crafts, tasty treats, and music.
Halloween Hoorah begins October 9—and runs all the way through October 31—treating visitors to a frightfully fun journey through a setting of hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns, parades, cider pressing, and more. Get a sneak peek of the spectacle, and learn about Michael Anthony Natiello, the artist who created the pumpkin sculptures.
The Pumpkin Patch has been growing all season, and now’s the time to see it at its best.
Some of the winning pumpkins from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-ins will be at the Garden beginning October 22—last year a world record of 1,725 pounds was set! Bring your camera for great photo ops.
So make sure to “carve out” some family time to come to Garden this month. It’s so fun, it’s scary.
Get Your Tickets
Years ago, I returned home to Massachusetts after living in England for 10 years and drove around my old neighborhood with a friend. I commented on a pretty purple flower I saw growing in a wetland area. When I asked her what it was, she cringed and told me it was purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, pictured. Photo by Wikipedia user Meggar). At first I thought her reaction was severe until, continuing our drive, I realized it had taken over many wetland areas. Where were the native cattails (Typha), the sedges (Carex), and the swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) that I had grown up with?