Garlic Wards Off Vampires. And Other Allium Health Benefits

Last weekend the garlic (allium sativum), onions, and shallots, were planted in our home farm-ette.

My garden nomenclature defines “farm-ette” as bigger than a typical home garden and with more variety than a typical home garden comprised of tomatoes, basil and a few other herbs.

Our farm-ette rewards us with asparagus, brussel sprouts, shisito peppers, potatoes, butternut squash, melon, radish, lettuce, and the aforementioned garlic, onions,, shallot, potatoes, tomatoes, and lots of herbs. 

And of special note is the Ground Cherry tomato, P. pruinosa – that grows in their own kind of a sexy scarf!  

The fruit grows inside a paper-like husk – not unlike the bigger tomatillo.  

I learned that these tart-sweet berries were used by the Pilgrims to make excellent pies, jams and preserves.  

I pop them, straight-away, fresh, into salads and into my waiting mouth!

Garlic

This year’s garlic monikers are too sweet not to share.  

The names are flirty and cute.

One of the garlic varieties we planted is Music – how much do you love that?!

Another is Duganski.  Sounds like the guy at the corner end of the tavern bar! And then there is the exotic, cinema-sounding “Indochine” sounding Inchelium Red Garlic.

Together with the Dutch yellow shallots the close to a hundred allium herb bulbs, split into their cloves and put to sleep for the winter in the prepared soil of our farm-ette.   

There truly is nothing like homegrown garlic, I have to say. 

It is so sweet, juicy, light and spirited that I can eat it raw--with abandon. 

Recently, I noted a food memory from my high school boyfriend, Thom’s grandfather – a Sicilian.  At that time, I was horrified to see him take a garlic clove from the kitchen table’s fruit bowl.

In my house that bowl was stocked with standard-issue apples or oranges or pears, depending on the season.

But Thom’s grandfather, schooled in the Italian way, could pick up a clove of garlic and just bite into it  -- like an apple.

But now, I understand that flavor attraction.  I am in total simpatico.

I revere the homegrown garlic so much that I now offer it as a hostess gift to some of my lucky dinner guests.

I present the garlic nestled into pretty-colored tissue paper tucked into a happy gift bag. 

Some gift recipients appear somewhat startled to learn I gave them a garlic.  

But later, they can't help but thank me, telling me what a delicious treat it is. It's a gift that keeps giving!

I had been struggling a bit to describe the texture of a fresh, homegrown garlic when Chef Joe Isidori, a featured chef in my book: The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook, from Southfork Kitchen and his newest restaurant, Brooklyn's Arthur on Smith, told the guests at a recent book singing event at the New York City Rizzoli Bookstore event. 

He said his homegrown garlic is like a water chestnut. 

"That’s it,"  I squealed in agreement! 

Yes, the texture of homegrown garlic s akin to a water chestnut because it shares the characteristics of crunchy, juicy and light and flavorful. 

Homegrown garlic is nothing like the overbearing, petulant garlic that most are accustomed to. And that lingers on the breath and the clothes for far too long.

Not so for homegrown garlic. 

Homegrown garlic is a refreshing, healthy addiction.

Did you know that?

·            Garlic can ward off vampires!

·            Garlic is rich in antioxidants which help destroy free radicals

·            Garlic is used to prevent heart disease, including atherosclerosis, high cholestral, high blood pressure
        and boosts the immune system.

·           Garlic may also protect against cancer

·           Garlic may help prevent the common cold

·            Gravediggers in 18^th Century France drank crushed garlic in wine, believing it would protect them
        from the plague.

·            World War I & II soldiers were given garlic to prevent gangrene.

·           China is the world’s largest producer of garlic, followed by India  

·            Egyptians fed it to the workers as they built the pyramids

·           Alliums are beautiful plants with puffy Afro-like heads on a slender tall reed

·           The word garlic comes from Old English: garleac which means Spear Leek

  But in the end – it’s all about the taste.  And homegrown garlic is unrivaled in its flavor. 
  And how it complements almost everything it cozies up to.

  So get out and plant your garlic. Even if it’s in your containers. 

  You will thank me next year.

Some of this year's allium harvest from our farm-ette

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA PRESENTS AWARD TO NYBG

First Lady Michelle Obama to Present 

Top Museum Award to The New York Botanical Garden

NYBG Press Release:

First Lady Michelle Obama will present a 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service to The

New York Botanical Garden―one of five museums and five libraries to be honored in a White House

ceremony on Friday, December  17, 2010. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awards the National Medal, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, to institutions for outstanding social, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities. This year the Institute of Museum and Library Services is recognizing one museum and one library for their work to advance global cultural understanding. 

The New York Botanical Garden has been chosen for this distinction due to its cutting-edge work in worldwide botanical research, conservation, and horticulture technology and display. The Garden will receive a $10,000 prize along with the other winners to help raise public awareness of the good work the institutions are doing in their communities. 

Gregory Long, President of The New York Botanical Garden, and Carrie Laney, the Garden’s Vice

President for Government and Community Relations, will attend the White House ceremony

accompanied by Karen Washington, a community activist who, in partnership with the Botanical

Garden’s Bronx Green-Up program, turned empty lots into beautiful gardens. Each medal winner was

asked to select one community member who could illustrate the institutions’ impact through a personal

story. Karen Washington has spoken out for garden protection and preservation, striving to make the

Bronx a better place to live.

As a member of La Familia Verde Garden Coalition, she launched City Farms Market, bringing garden

fresh vegetables to her neighbors. Karen is on the board of Just Food, an all-volunteer effort promoting a holistic approach to food, hunger, and agriculture issues. She leads workshops on food growing and food justice for community gardeners all over the city. Karen is also president of the New York City

Community Garden Coalition, a group that was founded to preserve community gardens. 

She joined The New York Botanical Garden Board of Trustees in September 2009. According to Karen, “To grow your own food gives you power and dignity. You know exactly what you're eating because you grew it. It's good, it's nourishing and you did this for yourself, your family and your community.”   (Last year I attended a talk provided by Lynden Miller and Karen=garden heros both and wrote about their community garden work) 

“We are extremely honored to have The New York Botanical Garden’s achievements recognized by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through this prestigious award,” said Gregory Long. “The

Botanical Garden is thrilled to receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award is a tribute to our dedicated staff members who continue to pursue the Garden’s mission in horticulture, science, education, and community service.”

“This year’s National Medal winners are serving their communities with innovative and creative new

approaches to lifelong learning, commitment to addressing diverse community needs, plain old hard

work, and a lot of heart,” said IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel. “Many of our winners have

evolved and grown despite tremendous challenges – all to empower and enrich the lives of their

community members by cultivating collaboration and openness. I am deeply appreciative of their efforts to make a difference. They serve as the nation’s role models.”

One of the Garden’s most renowned international initiatives, the Institute of Economic Botany (IEB) is

dedicated to the study and understanding of the relationships between people and plants, including plant-based medicine, sustainable agriculture, and forestry. In a time of rapid global change, the IEB works to further the conservation of Earth’s plant species by studying how plants are used in traditional cultures, conducting research on medicinal properties, and advocating for their conservation.

Thousands of plants, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and trees thrive on 250 acres of preserved green space carefully cultivated and maintained by The New York Botanical Garden. An advocate for the plant kingdom, the Garden uses its expertise and facilities to present programs, events, exhibitions, and classes that emphasize the importance of environmental conservation, healthy living, and science education, as well as strengthen the community.

Twenty-two years ago, the Bronx was overrun with abandoned lots and buildings, and neighborhoods

were losing their sense of community. To help transform the community, the Garden piloted Bronx

Green-Up, a horticulture outreach program that works with community groups to beautify, stabilize, 

and revitalize urban neighborhoods by planting public gardens in abandoned spaces. These gardens are maintained by local residents and reflect the diverse backgrounds of their gardeners, bearing fruits, vegetables, and herbs popular among the Bronx’s Hispanic, African-American, White, and Asian communities. Since its inception, Bronx Green-Up has created more than 300 community and school gardens and urban farms throughout the borough. 

The New York Botanical Garden welcomes more than 750,000 visitors each year. Approximately one-

third of them reside in the Bronx. The Garden views its mission, in part, as using plants to battle hunger, obesity, and declining science learning trends with programs tailored specifically to meet real community needs.

“I offer my congratulations to The New York Botanical Garden on receiving the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). “It's a landmark in the

community, and has always been ahead of the curve through its cutting-edge research. As a proud, long-time supporter of the Botanical Garden, I'm not at all surprised that the Institute of Museum and Library Services is taking notice.”

“I congratulate The New York Botanical Garden on this well-deserved recognition,” said U.S. Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “It is a shining example of the Garden’s commitment to providing local

children with a safe environment to learn during non-school hours. I am proud to support programs

dedicated to improving science education and providing young people with safe opportunities to grow and prosper.”

“I would like to congratulate The New York Botanical Garden on its receipt of the 2010 National Medal

for Museum and Library Service,” said U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley (NY-07). “This award is a meaningful affirmation of the Garden’s long-standing commitment and service to the Bronx community. 

Through its many creative initiatives, the Garden demonstrates an extraordinary level of public service as well as a keen understanding of the community’s pressing needs. In addition, the Garden has played an active role in improving the diverse and vibrant neighborhoods that surround its landmark facility. The Bronx is proud to be home to this world-class institution.”

 “It is a great honor for our community that the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden has been awarded

a 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-16).

“The NYBG is a treasured resource in the Bronx, and the acknowledgment of their exemplary service is long overdue. Their mission has been more broadly defined over the years from conservation and

horticulture to a wide variety of programs that enrich and enliven our community. We are grateful for

their service and applaud them in this moment of well-deserved recognition.”

In addition to The New York Botanical Garden, other recipients of the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service are: 

• Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Fishers, Indiana

• Explora, Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi

• Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, California

• Rangeview Library District and Anythink Libraries, Adams County, Colorado

• Peter White Public Library, Marquette, Michigan

• West Bloomfield Township Public Library, West Bloomfield, Michigan

• Patchogue-Medford Library, Patchogue, New York

• Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s

123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

Any individual may nominate a museum and/or library in the United States and its territories for the

National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Members of the National Museum and Library Services Board, the Institute’s presidentially-appointed policy advisory board, review the nominations and make recommendations to the Institute Director who selects the winners. To view nomination information, please go to www.imls.gov/medals. The deadline for 2011 nominations is February 15, 2011.

About The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden has been a vital New York City cultural destination since its founding in 1891. The Garden pursues its mission through its role as a museum of living plant collections arranged in gardens and landscapes across its National Historic Landmark site; through its comprehensive education programs in horticulture and plant science; and through the wide-ranging research programs of the International Plant Science Center.

                                                               ###

The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach

by Metro-North Railroad or subway. For more information, please call 718.817.8700 or visit our Web site at www.nybg.org 

The New York Botanical Garden is located on property owned in full by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part

by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. A portion of the Garden’s general operating funds

is provided by The New York City Council and The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Bronx

Borough President and Bronx elected representatives in the City Council and State Legislature provide leadership funding.

The New York Botanical Garden Media Contact: Nick Leshi nleshi@nybg.org, 718.817.8616/8658 

IMLS Media Contact: Gina White gwhite@imls.gov, 202.653.4745

Images available

To learn more about community gardens:

  

In The Garden

The past two days of glorious cool June weather almost makes up for the weekend’s crushing, blistering heat and tornado-like winds (the last came with a warning at least.)

Back to seasonal garden highlights.  

Here’s what I’ve been up to in the garden and you can borrow a tip if you’ve not done so already in your garden….

I sheared the ever-blooming red roses along the Arbor Rouge in order to stimulate the blossoms for a repeat display later this month. The arbor composition has Coral Bark trees as the mainstay draping languidly around the arbor’s “model-svelte” frame that is subtly sparkly at night- lit from within by solar powered soft white lights, and is fronted by red-twigged dogwoods.  It’s so vivid in the winter with the white snow striking a contrast with the red barks of trees and shrubs.

In the summer, the Lady in Red Hydrangea and Red Knock Out ever-blooming Roses makes for borders that are rich and colorful. 

It’s very romantic to walk the arbor – day or night – in any season and it concludes just as you step into the herb garden terrace area with the dramatic backdrop of the New York City skyline like a string of diamonds, just beyond the blue, blue bay.

I am hoping the blooms will be dressed out in time for a sweet engagement party at the end of this month and the Independence Day party that we host to celebrate the spectacular fireworks display the town sets off from the marina right in front of our eyes!  As an added gift this year, we are hosting my wonderful cousins, Missy and Teri and her daughter – the gorgeous, Margo. Well, all three of the girls are all pretty gorgeous, actually!

*  Yikes, as I was writing this, the bloody groundhog practically joined me for coffee here on the garden terrace!  Shoosh!  I do not find him attractive at all - and a bit too zaftig for eating plants I think...

He likes my herbs too.  But I can assure you - not on my watch...

We planted the rest of the tomatoes started from seed in the lower garden – or as we’ve come to call it the “Back Forty” or simply “The Farm.”

The Black Krim tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes I received from Hort Couture (www.hortcoutureplants.com) have done splendid from day one! 

 See the yellow blossoms popping out all over the plant. 

The Hemigraphis ‘Blackberry Waffle’ tri-colored ivy has had mixed results. 

You can see here that several of them are fantastic – dripping from the urns. But two others haven't grown at all.  I'm hopeful though. (Aren't all gardeners blessed with too much hope?!)

Quick aside as I read some of my fellow bloggers writing about other breeders and how their lack of attention to packing plants for shipment resulted in DOA plants.

Hort Couture’s test plants came to the door in top shape, being carefully wrapped and packaged. 

They also provided comprehensive background information for the test plants and their full line. 

Great attention to detail.

In what Hort Couture - who offers self-described "... High Fashion Plants" includes whimsical yet helpful plant care labels with every plant.  So glamorous...

The plant label for the ‘Blackberry Waffle“ notes

“Why: Awesome cupped purple leaves with cream and pink highlights”

I placed them with purple heliotrope and dracena and next to pink guara or Dancing Butterflies and it’s pure poetry J

“Where: Likes full to part sun & great for mixed containers.
  This all so true and it’s in a perfect environment – setting off the containers and their companion plants brilliantly.

“With:  Super with flowers of pale and hot pink and silver foliage.” 

See above – and oh, they are next to silver lyschimia too and also set off the grey of the blue stone and terrace. 

These waffles are a very glamorous addition to the ornamental herb garden.

In addition to general decorative guidelines, the Hort Couture team puts care icons on the plant label so you can see at a glance where to site the plant, how tall and wide it gets, how much water and fertilizer and what zone. 

If only all relationships came with such care tips!

We keep eating the incredible, sweet, crisp peas – cooked or in salads -- remarkably, this also helps to keep them around longer.  

Talk about a win/win!  

Same is true for the lettuces and the arugula (although that’s almost all gone – too hot – plus we enjoyed eating it and sharing almost too much.)

My hollyhocks have re-bloomed from their original early spring fashion display in front of the Compost Cabana.

I will stake up shortly to help these top models sustain their glamorous posture.

  

And of course, all the beds got a “Basic Black” top dressing of shredded mulch. 

Can never have too much of that little black outfit!