Metropolitan Gardening

The New York Botanical Garden has some exciting new gardening classes for spring starting in March! There are great eco-friendly gardening topics such as sustainable pest control, soil basics, planting pollinator-friendly plants in the garden, and container gardening. Browse beginner and introductory certificate classes here:  http://www.nybg.org/adulted/

Where else to learn gardening expertise than from The  New York   Botanical Garden ? Gardening classes at NYBG provide valuable information and techniques to help you grow a beautiful home, container, or community garden. Don’t miss upcoming classes like Soil Science for Gardeners or Apartment Gardeners’ Saturday. Browse all  Gardening classes here:  http://bit.ly/NYBGGardening

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ earth/environment/10186932/ Major-GM-food-company- Monsanto-pulls-out-of-Europe. html R eading this first article you would think Monsanto was done in the EU. We aren't that lucky. They are pulling their applications for patents - which as this next link explains the EU has only allowed Corn as a GM. So really Monsanto is simply creating publicity for itself. Because the patents weren't being approved anyway. http://www.agoracosmopolitan. com/news/media_spin/2013/07/ 04/6366.html A read of this second article tells us that Monsanto doesn't look like its pulling out at all - in fact seems to pledge more investment. Perhaps simply biding it's time for more favorable political environment for GMs?

O bama's speech on climate change beckons us to sustainable energy as an antidote to the disruption of levels of carbon pollution. The twelve hottest years in recorded history have occurred in the last fifteen years. His policy requires federal government to use sustainable sources as 20% of energy over the next seven years. He asks for the United States to take it's place as a leader in renewable energy. Many reviews in the green sector criticize the speech as too little too late. But there he is on the national stage with a myrid of other issues and crisis calling for attention. Obama is calling for energy independence with a view to transition to sustainable sources for the future legacy of our planet. He bekons for a bi partisan market based solution for climate change. He says the time for tired excuses is over and calls for us to make a political push and be heard. His plan may be modest perhaps but there it is a plan. Solid research, strongly said, a call to new pol...

Here's a blurb from the NY Botanical Garden about classes there this summer and a link to  SIGNUP  to  Gardener / Writer Ellen Zachos   classes  you can get an audio interview with Ellen about gardening on terraces < here >. The classes are space limited so sign up today. There’s no place like The Garden for classes that inform, inspire and enrich. And for people on a professional career path in gardening, floral design or landscape design, an NYBG certificate is a prestigious credential that sets them apart.  Currently we are promoting Summer Intensive Certificate programs in those three areas. These concentrated sessions – beginning July 8th -- allow students to complete up to half of all NYBG certification requirements in just two weeks for Gardening…and just five weeks for Floral and Landscape Design!   We think any current or aspiring gardeners and designers would be interested in this opportunity to fast track their professional dev...

E llen Zachos is teaching at the New York Botanical Garden. She is offering two courses - one in Terrace Gardening and one in Backyard Foraging. The audio file link:  <INTERVIEW>  The file will download as an .MP3 and you can put it on your phone or IPOD or play it on your computer. In the audio interview Ellen answers these important terrace gardening questions: 1) What sort of water requirements does terrace gardening require that are different than other residential gardens? 2) Do terrace gardens have any particular pests that plague them? 3) What are some of your favorite terrace gardens that you have worked on? 4) What media/soil do you recommend. 5) Any favorite flowers you like to grow on a terrace? Here's a link to SIGNUP  to Ellens classes

F or many wanting to maintain their appearance - choosing makeup is a murky subject. This might be in a struggle for purity or even frustration because makeup ingredients are so complex. Enter Peace Love Makeup ☮❤ & Apothecary . Marcie Lakin is an esthetically focused entrepreneur launching a business that some might find to be an embarrassing secret. Marcie has years of experience in two major fashion centers - her perspective has been forged in the fire of freelance work. Let’s face it - this is one of the most difficult industries to maintain a healthy perspective. Ms. Lakin has done her homework on the matter and presents her endorsement of the products she is promoting from experience and study. She is also an accomplished urban gardener. Marcie has a perspective on make-up that might be challenging in the green community and certainly challenging for the fashion community. Peace Love Makeup ☮❤ & Apothecary looks like a soothing choice for those wanting healthy recommenda...

http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/  A global protest is planned for this Saturday May 25 2013. It's widely written that this multinational corporation has worked with Blackwater to specifically undermine the activities of protests rallied against it.  The corporate chilling of free speech will undoubtedly be present in this Saturday's world wide outcry against the business practices of this monopoly. But the momentum of the movement appears to be unstoppable despite any alleged dirty tricks and illegal subtrafuge.  http://naturalsociety.com/hungary-destroys-all-monsanto-gmo-corn-fields/ http://naturalsociety.com/shopping-app-boycott-monsanto-others/ http://naturalsociety.com/monsanto-declared-worst-company-of-2011/

In an unprecedented gathering - the largest in US history in support of Climate Change reform over 45000 gathered in Washington Dc to march from the Washington Monument to the White House to express support for Obama to strike the plans for the Keystone XL pipeline.

At high tide the waters rose to within 20 ft of my door and poured  in the entry way of my building near the third avenue bridge. We packed our bags got the rug off the floor and packed up the cat to go but it occurred to me that high tide had passed and the waters wouldn't get any higher. Though they threatened to shut off the power to the building we stayed and the waters receded... PHEW!

Inger Staggs Yancey has an undeniably cute green roof booth at the Union Square Farmers Market Grow NYC Fest. I got a little slice of the technology from her for a buck and asked her for her first person description of her business. Thank you for stopping by my booth yesterday and being interested in what I do with green roofs and other green infrastructure. I founded Brooklyn Greenroof on Earth Day in 2008. Last year I reformed as Brooklyn Greenroof, LLC . The change in legal structure reflects a shift in focus from just designing green roofs to now also installing them. I This is installation season. We are finishing up one residential green roof installation currently and have two more scheduled to install this month. Next month, we plan to install two more. We bid on many different types of green roofs. Our most unusual upcoming project will be on the new Latter Day Saints Meeting House in Englewood, NJ. Our most common type is the row house roof, whether brownstone or...

N ina Wheeler Roberts provides gardening education in Harlem at the  http://www.unionsettlement.org/  Community Garden. Nina is also in Farm School.   More info on   Justfood.org .   ABC did a 90 sec piece on Farm School. You can check it out at:   http://abclocal.go.com/ wabc/video?id=8767938&pid=null   Here's some pictures of the kids she works with and some information about an interesting organization she is developing called Tree of Evolution. Tree of Evolution nurtures the relationships of human beings with each other and our world, allowing us to remember our true nature of living in harmony and love. We encourage, and provide resources for, scientific and experiential exploration, community ground action, elevated wellness, and art inspired by our world. We join with groups and individuals to create nourishing, vibrant, growing spaces, transforming environments and lives.     ~  TOE  ~ A little more...

J ames Ramsey and Dan Barasch have some amazing design work in where they envision an underground garden built beneath NYC. They have recently posted a kickstarter . I got a chance to ask James Ramsey some questions about the project. You can get more info at these websites. delanceyunderground.org or thelowline.org Bryan Ogden: What made you think to put a garden underground? James Ramsey: In working with light redirecting technologies, I realized that there was really no limit to the places you could actually grow plants. As an amateur urban archeologist, I thought about how cool it might be to begin to bring sunlight and greenery to some of our "lost" underground spaces. Bryan Ogden   How does this work sustainably? What sort of maintenance would it require? James Ramsey:  It requires maintenance from several perspectives, from the light tech itself, to drainage, to the care of the plantings themselves. Bryan Ogden   What purpose does th...

  C orbin Hill Farm offers fresh locally grown vegetables in areas of NYC that are often poorly served by traditional food distribution infrastructure. Additionally they offer a financial model of participation that brings the term "food justice" to mind. In an era of huge corporate food delivered invisibly Corbin Hill Farm offers smiling faces committed to proving a model of growing and consumption that solves many outstanding difficulties. I met with the folks delivering food at Urban Garden Center where they bring the goodness. MG: What is the main goal of a CSA in New York City? CHF: Although Corbin Hill Farm is inspired by the CSA model, we are actually a Farm Share. Unlike most CSAs, we offer flexible membership terms in order to make fresh produce accessible to the diverse communities we serve. Our primary goal is to eradicate food deserts in Harlem and the South Bronx. MG:  Is this a profitable venture? CHF: We are...

Dimitri Gatanas of Urban Garden Center shows us how to plant a classic window box.

Before Curb Allure K im Johnson, is the founder of Curb Allure . I was introduced to Kim through Urban Garden Center where Curb Allure is planning a new initiative. Kim's vision was to start a business that would help protect street trees and beautify the urban landscape.   MG: What inspired you to create Curb Allure? Curb Allure: After leaving the workforce to start a family in 2003, I vowed to eventually start my own business that, in a small way, would make a difference. I got the idea for Curb Allure when I encountered the obstacles of urban landscaping and gardening firsthand. As I was caring for the street tree outside our New York City apartment, I could not find any good solutions to protecting my tree pit - dog waste was killing the flowers around my street tree.   After Curb Allure Around this time, in 2009, my mother passed away. Prior to her death, she gave me a check with clear instructions to “do something that makes you happy.” An avid gardener,...

Balaji working in Senegal I met Balaji Mani at the Technology Exchange Lab , Inc. (TEL) booth at the Green Festival . He was explaining the unique strategy of his organization to address poverty - his charisma and vision were irresistible so I reached out to him for an interview. Basically TEL is an independent nonprofit that provides an online platform for the global community to share solutions to problems of poverty. They crowd source answers with the same vibe and intention as a WIKI. They purpose to take the innovative thinking of thought leaders like you might see on TED and connect them with those in need of information. They do provide consumer screening of those providing answers so that the sources are determined to be legitimate. That vetting and matchmaking service  is the essential value of TEL.

Columbia Waterfront Public Art Dedication COLUMBIA WATERFRONT DISTRICT, BROOKLYN Photo Credit:  Rafi Magnes Nobuho Nagasawa stands beside her etching of a  Sweet Gum Tree at Columbia St. near Baltic St. Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) announces the public art dedication of TIMECAST by artist Nobuho Nagasawa on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 in the Columbia Waterfront District.  Nagasawa’s art was commissioned in 2004 by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs under its Percent for Art Program and the NYC Department of Transportation as part of the Columbia Street Reconstruction project, which included the Columbia Street segment of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Nagasawa received an Excellence in Design Award for TIMECAST from the City of New York Art Commission in 2007.

Check out the Skillshare class, "Urban Gardening: Tips and Tricks for effective city growing." Help spread the word: http://skl.sh/Kusc6e Here's the details: Watch the video introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=273O4VKNERE The challenges of gardening in the city require a grab bag of tips and tricks to manage the urban landscape. Join Dimitri Gatanas and Bryan Ogden as they provide a series of hands on workshops and focused leaning experiances located in the heart of Harlem at the Urban Garden Center.

T rish was getting a tree with her sister from the NYRP and Urban Garden Center free tree giveaway. She explained that she was getting the tree for a new community garden that she was starting. There's a lot going on with Trish and design / urban greening - more than meets the eye - so I asked her for an interview and found she is also working with the Brooklyn Grange on a Farm Store in Brooklyn. That story is going to have to wait, and I'm going to get to the bottom of her work as an interior designer as well but here's what Trish has to say about the community garden that she is starting. We were getting the trees for a community garden/event space we are building in the lot next to our design studio. We call the project Design. Plot. It all started when we found out our landlord was going to concrete in the space and turn it into a parking lot. We freaked as it was the last bit of green left on our industrial street. We signed the lease and set out to transform th...