Author Archives: batteryrooftopgarden

The Snow Storm

Posted on February 10, 2013

The National Weather Service and New York Times have authoritatively harrumphed that the recent winter storm does not in fact have a name, “Nemo” having been chosen for ratings purposes by those for whom weather is mere entertainment.   As gardeners, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold Frame, Cooking and Eating, Kale, Photos, Seen From the Battery Rooftop Garden, Weather | 5 Comments

Allotments

Posted on November 27, 2012

In the UK in the years before Margaret Thatcher whipped things into shape, there was not very much that the Battery Rooftop Gardener, then an American graduate student first discovering England, found worthy of emulation.   But I remember being deeply … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Urban Agriculture and Food Policy | 3 Comments

Sandy

Posted on November 1, 2012

Your correspondent returned to lower Manhattan today, fearing that, like Icarus, he had dared to fly too high, to grow food where nature did not intend, and that he would find his presumption rewarded with a thorough smiting at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blueberries, Broccoli, Chard, Cold Frame, Fruit, Kale, Ornamental Trees, Photos, Weather | 13 Comments

Dead or Alive?

Posted on October 18, 2012

The sharp blade slices through the skin, flesh and vascular tissues with ease.    Pressure in the vascular system collapses.   Almost immediately senescence – a genetically regulated process which leads to the death of cells and organs – begins.  Individual cells … Continue reading →

Posted in Apples, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Cooking and Eating, Eggplant, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Parsley, Peaches, Spinach, Urban Agriculture and Food Policy | 3 Comments

Finally, a professional

Posted on October 12, 2012

BRTG hosted an event recently where the sponsor engaged Peter Doyle of Peter Doyle Photography to take photographs.   With Peter’s permission I thought I would share some of his work with readers of this blog who, for two years, have patiently … Continue reading →

Posted in Blueberries, Chard, European Pears, Guests, Herbs, Photos, Seen From the Battery Rooftop Garden | 3 Comments

Awesome

Posted on August 2, 2012

In the world of ornamental horticulture, perhaps because of the pervasive influence of our British cousins, etiquette demands a certain reticence when discussing one’s own garden.   Pausing with guests before a spectacularly rare and difficult Tricyrtis, one might be allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian Pears, Berries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Chard, Fruit, Grapes, Malabar Spinach, Nectarines, Peaches, Photos, Strawberries, Tomatoes | 1 Comment

Just Food

Posted on July 26, 2012

Tuesday night, at 11 venues scattered around New York City, generous and lucky diners celebrated the food of the season, the urban farmers who produce it, and the chefs who render it delightful.  This event, billed as “A City Farmer, A … Continue reading →

Posted in Chefs, Cooking and Eating, Guests, Meals and Menus | 4 Comments

Hic sunt dracones

Posted on July 11, 2012

Or, “Here be dragons,” for those readers whose Latin is a bit rusty.   Yes, right here at Battery Rooftop Garden, on the 35th floor in the heart of downtown Manhattan.  Spotted and photographed by Jeremy Law, this dragon is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Design, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Rats on the roof!

Posted on July 6, 2012

No, not the dreaded Rattus rattus or any of its vile kin, but the wonderful Rat’s Tail Radish, or Raphanus caudatus: I have fed the seed pods of this plant, which looks like a cross between a green bean and a snap … Continue reading →

Posted in Chefs, Cooking and Eating, Legumes, Photos, Root Vegetables | 3 Comments

How to eat blueberries . . .

Posted on July 3, 2012

The answer is one at a time: That’s right.  No bowls.  No spoons.  No popping two in your mouth at once to save time (this is slow food, after all, and who wouldn’t want to extend the exquisite pleasure of … Continue reading →

Posted in Berries, Blueberries, Cooking and Eating, Photos, Soil | 3 Comments