Recent years have seen renewed interest in vegetable gardening everywhere, but perhaps nowhere is this more pronounced than inside our larger cities. Despite the challenge of growing in the densely populated confines of city spaces—and subject to the often intense growing conditions within these microclimates, some New York City gardeners appear to embrace their limitations. […]
The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York—most often associated with yoga and alternative philosophies — decided to apply mindfulness to a very practical matter. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL ) opened in 2009. At the heart of the OCSL is the Eco Machine ™, designed by John Todd Ecological Design. This water reclamation […]
Meadowbrook, a 25 acre-estate in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, was designed and created by the floral artist, J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. Mr. Pennock grew up in Philadelphia, where his family had operated a florist shop for over 100 years. He attended Cornell University, but was called home to help save the family business in 1933. That business […]
America’s first horticultural library, a major breakthrough in plant science, and the founding of an important American cultural institution—all these and more occurred in the same spot, what was once a bucolic farm in North Philadelphia. The neighborhood has changed, but I was fortunate recently to participate in a day-long tour of Philadelphia sites that […]
In late 2010, when Chris Holbrook was looking at greenhouses for his yard, Hartley Glasshouses impressed him for a number of reasons. He noticed the careful construction and wide selection of models with their many special options. As a regular visitor to England, he also appreciated the connection a Hartley house provides to English gardening […]
Two bird houses sit at opposing corners of the vegetable garden perimeter, perhaps twelve feet apart, attached to the posts supporting our deer fence. Last year we saw four nestings of blue birds move through them. So far this year, the houses have provided temporary shelter to both bluebirds and wrens; we are now on […]
Samuel Untermeyer enjoyed an early career as a corporate lawyer, but he later became famous for trust-busting, perhaps most famously, against J.P. Morgan. He also successfully fought to save the 5 cent subway fare. He was one of the most prominent Jews in America, and the first lawyer to earn a one million dollar fee […]
He’s the man with the scruffy red ponytail and baggy shorts. Croc markets the Bistro Mario Batali Edition of his signature footwear (in colors graphite and orange) to foodies everywhere. The co-proprietor of twenty-two restaurants world-wide from Hong Kong to Las Vegas, he’s a household name through TV and numerous—thirteen and counting–cookbooks. Beginning April 6th […]
In Hyde Park, New York, where the Vanderbilt Mansion and the homes of Eleanor and Franklin Delano Roosevelt welcome thousands of tourists each year, visitors usually focus upon the grander chapters of American history. This story, however, is a quiet one that takes place in the backyard of one of F. D. R.’s neighbors. As […]
It’s the time of year for garden dreaming—and searching through catalogs. Whether you’re about to begin seeding in the greenhouse, or just planning ahead for the warmer days we’ll eventually enjoy outdoors, you might be interested in these recent catalog introductions. Serious set-backs in our tomato-patch last season have caused me to focus exclusively on […]
Call it a sign of the times—but gardening and farming projects have become an important part of school curriculums all across New York City. According to GreenThumb, a division of the City Parks Department that provides schools with technical support, the number of school-based gardens registered with the city jumped from 40 to 232 in […]
As I planted garlic cloves along my sunny driveway yesterday, I was filled with gratitude for the blessings of yet another season in the garden. Each year, it seems that the day I plant garlic is the most beautiful of the fall season, and this one was no exception. Despite weeks of summer drought, multiple […]
