Category Archives: Greens

The Snow Storm

Posted on February 10, 2013 by

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

Sandy

Posted on November 1, 2012 by

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 by

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 by

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 by

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

Over-winter

Posted on April 10, 2012 by

This morning I picked some baby kale leaves from the enormous over-wintered kale shrub and some older leaves from the over-wintered sorrel, gave them two stirs in hot oil, and added two fresh eggs.   The result was so outstanding that your … Continue reading →

Posted in Carrots, Cooking and Eating, Herbs, Kale, Soil, Weather | 2 Comments

What zone is this?

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

One of the first things that gardeners learn is their plant hardiness zone, a helpful construct of the USDA based on the expected low winter temperature.   Plant and seed catalogs helpfully tell us the coldest zone in which a plant will … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpines in the Secret Garden, Chard, Kale, Ornamental Plants, Photos, Secret Garden, Weather | 3 Comments

Après le déluge

Posted on September 1, 2011 by

Plants on rooftop gardens are far more exposed to the elements than their ground-level cousins.   With Hurricane Irene heading directly for lower Manhattan, it was alarming to hear the experts explain that 75 mph winds at ground level translated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Failures, Malabar Spinach, Nectarines, Peaches, Photos, Roses, Structure, The Visionaire, Tomatoes, Weather | 4 Comments

Spring Planting 2011

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

Having considered the many lessons of our first season, the Battery Rooftop Garden is now implementing its second season planting plan.   Among the main things learned in 2010:  the richness and depth of our soil allows us to achieve varieties … Continue reading →

Posted in Failures, Lettuce, Parsley, Photos, Scallions, Soil | Leave a comment

Cold Frame Success

Posted on April 14, 2011 by

Although the cold frame was installed late (see previous post) and the first sowings of lettuce and spinach in January failed (see previous post), by late February my harvest of winter greens began in earnest.  A salad from March 1: … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold Frame, Greens, Lettuce, Spinach, Weather | Leave a comment