Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Matt Newman
Posted in Mario Batali's Edible Garden on September 16 2013, by Matt Newman
At first I set out to tease you (not maliciously!) with menu selections from this Saturday’s upcoming Family Dinner featuring Chef “Dodo” Fortunato Nicotra of Felidia, one of Mario Batali‘s trusted culinary masterminds. But then it came to my attention that this week’s evening is ALMOST sold out! Not to worry, though—you can still get tickets for Saturday if you rush, but even if you aren’t able to land tickets to this weekend’s event, there’s still one more opportunity on the horizon for gourmands with an appetite in tow. And one more opportunity for me to tease you, I suppose.
On Sunday, September 29, we’re firing up the grills in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden for one last seasonal gourmet gathering. This time around we’ll be spotlighting dishes and demonstrations from the dynamic duo of Chef Dan Drohan of Otto Enoteca Pizzeria and Chef Josh Laurano of Tarry Market.
Before dinner, kids and parents alike are invited to join Family Garden staff in the vegetable beds for hands-on gardening and craft activities, after which we’ll jump straight into preparation with an expert cooking demonstration by our visiting chefs. Save room for cavolo nero and ricotta salad, agnolotti al forno with swiss chard and pecorino, sweet potato and walnut budino, as well as paired wines and more. Trust me—you’ll leave well-fed.
For more info on upcoming menus and getting your tickets, visit our Edible Garden page. Though I’d suggest registering soon—judging by September 21’s dwindling tickets, the one taking place on the 29th should fill up quickly as well. Don’t miss these last opportunities to enjoy the flavors of summer with Mario Batali’s finest!
Photo courtesy of Andrea House.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 16 2013, by Matt Newman
Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 15 2013, by Matt Newman
And he made his brunch reservation weeks in advance.
White turtlehead (Chelone glabra) with hungry visitor — Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 14 2013, by Matt Newman
The morning glory!
It has taken the well bucket,
I must seek elsewhere for water.
– Chiyo-ni (1703-1775)
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on September 13 2013, by Matt Newman
The Garden goes to the birds this weekend with outdoor activities geared toward the wildlife lover in all of us (you’ll get a pass if you have an ongoing feud with pigeons—that’s almost rote for any New Yorker). And because it just so happens to be migratory season for a number of bird species, the timing couldn’t be better. So bring your binoculars, your kids, and an open mind toward gardening for critters, because we’ll be making room for all three over the next couple of days.
For birders new or established, Debbie Becker is back after a brief summer hiatus with Bird Walks each Saturday at 11 a.m. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for the colorful puffballs known as warblers that should be making pit stops in the Garden during their fall migration. In the Native Plant Garden, we’ll have experts on hand teaching home gardeners the ins and outs of attracting wildlife—such as beneficial insects—to backyard beds. And in among the vegetables of the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, kids are welcome to dig to their hearts’ content during activities that highlight the hands-on aspects of keeping a garden. Our Pollinator Pals program also highlights the importance of the bees and butterflies that pollinate our crops.
Also on offer are Native Plant Garden and Rose Garden Tours, cooking demonstrations highlighting fresh seasonal ingredients, and more. And don’t forget that there’s only one week left to get tickets for next weekend’s Family Garden with Mario Batali’s Chefs! Check the full listing below, and we’ll see you out there.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 13 2013, by Matt Newman
If you were wondering—yes, my dahlia fixation is still riding high, and probably will be for the remainder of the summer. Not that many of you can blame me. There’s just something about their frilly, cheering colors—like a fanciful take on the Elizabethan neck ruff. Happy Friday, all.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden on September 12 2013, by Matt Newman
Every now and then our visitors step up to surprise us, and this is certainly one of those times. Our Director of the Thain Family Forest, Jessica Arcate-Schuler, was making her way across the grounds this week when she came to the waterfall overlook of the Bronx River. It’s not a roaring cascade, but calm and picturesque, with a talkative rush that even the Garden’s caretakers seldom hurry past without a pause.
Standing at the rail, Jessica noticed the corner of a note poking out from a gap behind the sign there, but it wasn’t trash. Someone had wedged the paper there to be found. So she plucked it out from its hiding place and read it.
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Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 12 2013, by Matt Newman
Seldom-seen sunset lighting should lean toward common as we near the winter months. The Seasonal Walk seems all the more dramatic with the sun signing off for the evening.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 11 2013, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 10 2013, by Matt Newman
I know it’s hard to wait an entire week between visits to the Greenmarket. Your crisper drawer dips below “stuffed” into “somewhat full” territory and you start wondering what you’ll do for your next vegetable soup, salad, or ratatouille niçoise. Lucky for you, it’s almost Wednesday! We’ll be back tomorrow with our local farmer friends, offering plenty of options for refilling your stock of fresh, late-summer edibles.
This week, expect plenty of apples, pears, plums, melons, tomatoes and peaches, along with some fresh Concord grapes ripe for snacking. On the vegetable front, we expect to see another wave of piquant peppers, including jalapeno, cayenne, and sweet varieties. You should also see corn, tomatillos, herbs, beets, cabbage, and no end of varied baked goods. Something tells me there could be some Mexican-inspired dishes in your future if you know how to mix and match your produce picks, but that might just be my lunch cravings talking.
The NYBG Greenmarket runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through November 27, with free short-term parking for Greenmarket shoppers. The market accepts food stamps, EBT, WIC/FMNP, and Senior coupons, in addition to cash and credit or debit cards. Learn how to use EBT, WIC and FMNP at the Greenmarket.
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At first I set out to tease you (not maliciously!) with menu selections from this Saturday’s upcoming Family Dinner featuring Chef “Dodo” Fortunato Nicotra of Felidia, one of Mario Batali‘s trusted culinary masterminds. But then it came to my attention that this week’s evening is ALMOST sold out! Not to worry, though—you can still get tickets for Saturday if you rush, but even if you aren’t able to land tickets to this weekend’s event, there’s still one more opportunity on the horizon for gourmands with an appetite in tow. And one more opportunity for me to tease you, I suppose.
