Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 7 2012, by Matt Newman
A few of the well-kept secrets growing in the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, just next door to the Benenson Ornamental Conifers. If you’re lucky enough to be granted access during a Member’s tour, you’ll find about as much behind-the-scenes color and magic as you can handle, and then some.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on September 6 2012, by Matt Newman
I can say with sureness that this upcoming October will be a big month for The New York Botanical Garden. And I mean that in as literal a sense as possible. “But how big is it?” you most certainly ask. Well, if we need to get down to brass tacks, we’re talking about squash waaaay bigger and badder than anything you’ve seen in your neighborhood market–pumpkins trucked in from around the globe that weigh in at nearly a solid ton (that’s 2,000 pounds by U.S. standards). In other words, they make your porch jack o’ lanterns look like carved grapes in comparison.
Each of the growers that contributed mammoth pumpkins to 2011’s Halloween in the Garden–members of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth hailing from California, Pennsylvania, and even Quebec–supplied a home-grown monster the likes of which most have only seen in The Nightmare Before Christmas or Cinderella. I’m talking record-breaking squash weighing 1,600, 1,700, and even as much as 1,800 pounds in some cases. After the weigh-ins and the awards, each found its final resting place in the Garden, where Ray Villafane took knife to squash in an artful if ghoulish manner.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 6 2012, by Matt Newman
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on September 5 2012, by Matt Newman
So you don’t have a back yard, a rooftop apartment in Brooklyn, or even a couple of bee suits and a smoking can. Not a problem! For kids (or parents!) who are bursting with questions over the city’s biggest agricultural excitement since fire escapes first met tomato plants, you won’t need any of the above to pick up the basics.
While the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden is home to two active beehives, Assistant Manager Annie Novak and her team have put together the full beekeeping kit–sans bugs–for those who’d rather go to the open house without the tenants in attendance, so to speak. Apiculture at its easiest! And we won’t be sparing with the sweets, either; if you’ve ever wondered how flower choice affects what goes into the jar, we’ll be offering tastes of the many different types of honey that a healthy hive can produce.
Posted in People on September 5 2012, by Matt Newman
You’d have a hard time finding a lack of inspiration in Elena Rosenberg’s creations. You might see form and function wrapped up in a neat bow of elegance, but beyond it all, there’s that creative knack that makes her efforts with wearable fiber art so attractive. So when we talked to Elena via Twitter and found that she was creating a line of wearable art inspired by the botanical world, up to and including plants seen in The New York Botanical Garden, our interest was piqued.
That was back in early spring. Elena’s since completed her first series of designs based on botanical aesthetics, and was kind enough to talk with me about what it is that pushed her to take up this skill, as well as how the natural world found its way into her work. She even has a few pointers for hopeful creatives looking to pick up a craft for themselves, if not carry their own to the next level.
Because the blending of fashion and nature has become such a choice topic around Plant Talk, you’ll want to keep an eye out for future spotlights on local talent and styles. In the meantime, Elena gives us a glimpse into her modern take on classic techniques.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 5 2012, by Matt Newman
Epicenter of autumn change? Soon enough! Our apologies to leaf lovers in other states. You might want to make the trip, though.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Programs and Events on September 4 2012, by Matt Newman
So the kids are shuffling back to school with no lack of grumbling and the chill in the morning air has you rethinking a light jacket. No matter! Summer still reigns on Wednesdays at the NYBG, where our weekly Greenmarket takes center stage from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free to park and peruse, so why make excuses to stay home?
Each week’s fresh offerings are something of a surprise, depending on the month, so we can’t make any guarantees as to what our growers will be bringing with them. However, based on last week’s bounty, we’re looking at a bevy of heirloom tomatoes in reds, yellows, and purples, along with beets of all hues. To that end, I’ve listed a sampling of simple recipes to put your haul to its best use (because I’m nice like that). Alongside the vegetables, you’ll also find Red Jacket Orchards selection of fruit juices, and of course Millport Dairy’s pickled eats (habanera pickles among them). Round out the menu with some moon pies and you’re looking at an envious shopping list.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 4 2012, by Matt Newman
And, just like that, the long weekend up and leaves without so much as a goodbye note, dumping us back into the work week with rain clouds as a consolation prize. In any case, hope everyone had a good one! Here’s some sunny summer eye candy to distract you from the puddles.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 3 2012, by Matt Newman
If you’re wondering, yes, the Garden is open for Labor Day. Check Friday’s schedule for more on what’s happening during the afternoon, and happy Labor Day to everyone!
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on September 2 2012, by Matt Newman
A Sunday spent in the Rock Garden is, in its way, a miniature vacation. No beach umbrellas, but the trees fill the gap admirably.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen