The New York Botanical Garden Hosts 'Hortie Hoopla' Premiere for Green Industry Interns

It’s A “Hortie Hoopla!”

NYBG Hosts 1^st Annual Field Day for NYC-area Green Industry Interns

100 Anticipated Interns Show Horticulture is a Young and Growing Field

It     It doesn't seem all that long ago that my dear friend and "Hortie Hero,"  Charles Yurgalevitch, Director, School of Professional Horticulture at The New York Botanical Garden passionately discussed with me his desire to produce an event that would showcase Horticulture as an enduring career that excites and compels enthusiasm -- especially for youth. 

Silicon Valley does not have a monopoly on young, creative, and enterprising career candidates!  

We see this generation of farmers at the Greenmarkets.  We learn from them while they work the gardens at the parks and botanic gardens.   

Charles' vision as I remember it, was to engage some Hort thought leaders to speak to the interns -- Ken Druse's name readily came up first. Ken had recently written a great article about the Next Generation of Horticulturists and it was inspiring on so many levels.   

http://www.organicgardening.com/living/the-new-generation

S

S    Charles also expressed a point of view that to help nurture these budding green industry celebrities, they needed a community - an event to share their hort knowledge and passions and issues and their visions -- and so his "Hortie Hoopla" was seeded. And what better place than the New York Botanical Garden to host this premiere horticultural event? 

S    

      So in less time than it takes to design a seasonal garden display, Charles had his vision approved, a template for the day's agenda that came out almost fully formed: an all-star Hort expert lineup of presenters and lecturers, NYBG curator-led tours of the collections and gardens - including the Forest, Native Plant Garden, Azalea Garden, Conservatory and so on; followed by food and drinks (he was thinking BBQ or sub sandwiches in the farm setting that is the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.  Nice homegrown comfort food. No stuffy social event here! 

      And as you can see from the final agenda below that is the media alert, it all came together as he envisioned. Even the food and drink made it to gathering, generously provided by Organic Gardening Magazine, Town and Country Gardens and Landcraft Environments.  Cheers to the sponsors.

      

      The metro area Hort network provided Charles with the metrics of approximately how many green industry interns there are working in our green spaces including The High Line, Brooklyn Bridge Park, The Battery Park Conservancy and Central Park, to name a few.   

      

      And just like that, it all came together.  Everything was finalized before Charles left on a study and research trip to the UK's Royal Botanic Garden Kew, Royal Horticultural Society  and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.  Here he was working to produce an exchange program for his NYBG School of Professional Horticulture students in the near future. 

     

      Surely, Charles is the next generation's green industry garden angel!  

Charles Yurgalevitch Director of SoPH, NYBG 

      

      If you, or someone you know is a green industry intern, please let them know about Wednesday's event. Details below.  

      

      Make Green History and attend the Hortie Hoopla Premiere. 

     

  
    News from the Botanical Garden:

I 

The New York Botanical Garden will host the first-ever New York metro area “Hortie Hoopla!”- a field day for “green industry” interns on July 24, 2013. Nearly 100 interns working at parks and gardens across the NYC-area this summer will meet up at the Garden for this day of learning, camaraderie, professional development, and a bit of fun. Professionals working at the many parks, gardens and horticultural institutions in the NYC area will also be on hand to share ideas and experiences about their summers in horticulture. The Garden’s own curators and horticultural experts will offer tours of NYBG’s magnificent 250-acre grounds and offer interns insights about careers in this important profession.

WHEN:                        Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 2–7:30 p.m.

WHO AND WHAT:      

2 pm     Opening remarks in the Ross Lecture Hall by:

·       Charles Yurgalevitch, Director, School of Professional Horticulture

·       Ken Druse, author, lecturer and radio host

·       Emma Seniuk, cut flower and vegetable gardener, Chanticleer Garden

·       Ethne Clarke, Editor-in-Chief, Organic Gardening magazine

3 pm     
Curator and Staff Tours of NYBG gardens & Plant ID contest:

·       Azalea Garden – Deanna Curtis, Curator of Woody Plants

·       Composting in the Family Garden - Jodie Colón, Compost Educator and Project Manager

·       E.A.H. Conservatory – Francisca Coelho, Vivian and Edward Merrin VP for Glasshouses &

Exhibitions

·       Native Plant Garden – Brian Sullivan, VP for Landscape, Outdoor Collections and Gardens

·       Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden Rose Garden, Kristin Schleiter, Associate V P for Outdoor Gardens

·       Thain Family Forest – Jessica Schuler, Director of the Thain Family Forest

5:30 pm - BBQ at the Edible Academy hosted by:

·       Toby Adams, Director, Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden

·       Annie Novak, Manager of the Edible Academy in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden

7 pm     Announce the winner(s) of the Plant ID contest.

WHERE:          The New York Botanical Garden

                        Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) at Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 

A Garden Photo Diary of The Garden State's Keyport GardenWalk

Mother Nature returned the favor to Keyport.
She kissed the town's second annual GardenWalk with glorious weather.

It was perfect for strolling the gardens with a small group of garden lovers from my yoga practice.

We also saw first-hand, the restorative power of gardens.
Keyport was hit hard by superstorm Sandy but that didn't dampen the spirit of these hometown gardeners.
Gardening is a humbling experience in its own right, after all.

These citizens and garden artists rolled up their shovels, planted their vegetable gardens and are taking the growing season one day glorious day at a time.

Enjoy the beauty of some of the gardens here...

Community Edible Garden

Edible Garden's oval beds

  

Edibles Gardens are so pretty

Water Garden tickle the senses:

Rain Garden

Videos of water features on the GardenWalk shows how sensual water in the garden can be -- from fountains to waterfalls and koi ponds...

And Fairy Gardens were discovered!

Creative Container Gardens

Hand Painted Container

Art Abounds:

     

  

Garden State’s FREE Keyport GardenWalk, June 8 & 9

Home Garden of the Master Gardeners Dennis & Kathleen McNamara

This is the second year for this local, robust, multi-media, artful garden event.

Given that Superstorm Sandy smote the town of Keyport since the inaugural garden walk event, that’s saying a lot.

So no surprise that a bit of spring rain -  as compared to Sandy - will not dampen tomorrow’s walk.

No way.

Rain or shine, the Keyport GardenWalk (KGW) is brimming with more than 40 gardens to visit – from vegetable gardens to fairie gardens, cottage gardens and aptly named, “We’re still here” garden – along with nearly 10 seminars on compelling and topical subjects, including post-Sandy plant and shrub care, xeriscaping, herbal libations and garden art.   

The Keyport GardenWalk is to offer a weekend filled with more than a wheelbarrow full of all kinds of personal gardens, made all the more remarkable by the fact that Superstorm Sandy rendered this shore community a one-two punch.

Keyport suffered badly as a result of Sandy’s fury. 

There was no getting around it. 

So rather than pretend that life is back to normal – whatever that is – Keyport citizens and garden lovers pivoted. 

They took all of the heartache into account and made it part of this year’s program. 

After all, it’s now part of the town’s illustrious history.

Speaking of history, Keyporters may be Jersey strong but perhaps a tad too modest. 

The introduction history to Keyport is the first aha!

The KGW brochure kicks off with “A bit of introduction to the town so many of us call home…

The Kearny Family settled in Keyport in 1714. In 1830, the Kearny Plantation was auctioned off and Keyport was established. For most of the 19^th century Keyport was a major shipping and ship building center. 

In the early 20^th century the Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company introduced many aviation firsts, namely, the first international airline.”

I had to read that twice and then again to my husband.

The home of the first international airline?  Seriously, no one knows this.  We drive past the Airport cinema plaza and sometimes wondered about the moniker ….

Besides the bust-your-buttons bragging rights this historical high offers, the commercial enterprise and the ship building probably also help explain the moneyed Victorian homes and dedication to fine gardening found there. 

I will have to ask an Historical Society expert about this on the Garden Walk…
Plus don't you think the town is ahem, "missing the boat" in terms of tourism?  They could claim the shipbuilding past a la Colonial Williambsburg.   

Reading the advanced copy of the Keyport GardenWalk brochure – I was immediately struck how the cover art looked like a Frieda Kahlo-inspired piece. 

The ink-black background and intensified female facial head is adorned with a mane of electric green hair and leaf décolletage, along with ruby red lips and cornflower blue eyes and like-colored blossoms nesting as a May crown. And make-up that would make Estee Lauder weep!  

The happy, flower lady cover art and official Keyport GardenWalk poster is rendered by local resident, Judy O’Connor.

According to the Keyport Garden Walk literature, “O’Connor was one of hundreds of senior citizens evacuated to a temporary shelter set up at the Keyport Central School the night Hurricane Sandy hit Keyport.  KGW poster contest Chairperson, Diane Calabrese, said, “the quality and variety of artwork submitted for the contest exceeded our highest expectations.  Once we made our selection and discovered the artist was one of the Sandy evacuees it was particularly meaningful.  Ms. O’Connor said, “One of my neighbors slipped information on the poster contest under my door and said ‘Judy, you should do this.’  “I’m glad I did,” she added. 

Further, as supplied by KGW:

Keyport Gardens Bloom after Hurricane Sandy

It is hard to believe only six months after Hurricane Sandy, Keyport’s popular GardenWalk will take place on June 8^th and 9^th with even more gardens than last year’s event that brought 1,600 visitors to the borough on the Raritan Bay. 

According to Keyport Garden Club President, Lois Farina Reilly, "The morning after Sandy hit, most of us in Keyport were in a state of shock, along with much of the Jersey Shore.  

Our residents and businesses then did what Keyport people do; they banded together, regrouped and began to cleanup and rebuild. And the Keyport Garden Club moved forward with plans for the second annual Keyport GardenWalk.”

Hurricane Sandy, ironically, (I should say, poignantly) plays a role in this year’s KGW.  The popular horticultural seminars offered at the KGW needed a new venue as Sandy destroyed the Keyport Historical Society’s Steamboat Dock Museum and the magnificent Arts Society of Keyport. 

“The Keyport Borough administration and elected officials have been so supportive and offered the use of the Council Chambers in Borough Hall for our KGW seminars this year,” reported Keyport GardenWalk Chairperson, Clare Skeen.  “In fact, one of our seminars is about the effects of saltwater on plants and shrubs.  It is a timely topic that should be popular with our visitors.” 

The Keyport GardenWalk is a free, self-guided walking and biking tour of 41 public and private gardens in Keyport.  “In addition to touring the gardens, visitors will enjoy live music, horticultural seminars, and pedicab rides – all free,” said Skeen. 

“On Saturday the 8th, we will have two talented musical groups – Frank Patrouch and friends and The Savannah Hat Company perform.”

En plein air artists from all over New Jersey will also be on hand painting in various public and private venues,” Skeen added.

“Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream is celebrating their one-year anniversary in town and arranged for London Fogg, a popular NY band specializing in British Invasion/60’s music to play in the Keyport mini-park on Sunday the 9^th, “ she explained.

“The mission of Keyport GardenWalk is to inspire, educate and motivate visitors to go back to their own towns and improve their home landscapes and public spaces. 

Offering horticultural seminars is a key component to fulfilling that mission,” said Skeen.

Seminar Schedule:

Saturday – June 8th

10:00AM – Steven Kristoph of Steven Kristoph Nursery – “Hurricane Sandy and saltwater damage to your plants and shrubs”

1:30PM – “Garden Art for Beginners – 101” – Trinity Restaurant*

2:30PM – Megan Paska of The Homestead at Seven Arrows Farm East – “Succession planting and increasing yield from your vegetable garden”.

Sunday – June 9th

10:00AM - Arleen Swart of Sea Grass Design and Landscape – “Xeriscaping – plant selection to reduce the need for supplemental water in your landscape design”

2:30PM – Ken McPeek – General Manager of Seasons Matter Inc.– “Utilizing rain water run-off and sump pump discharge in your landscape”

3:30PM – “Herbal Libations” – Trinity Restaurant*

*Garden Art for Beginners – 101” and ”Herbal Libations” will be held at Trinity Restaurant  - 84 Broad Street.  All other seminars will be held in the Council Chambers at Keyport Borough Hall – 70 West Front Street.

The seminars are free and all are welcome – please pre-register by emailing info@keyportgardenwalk.org. 

“Keyport GardenWalk is so successful because of the generosity of our residents and sponsors.  It is quite remarkable a town the size of Keyport is able to showcase 41 gardens and attract visitors from all over the tri-state area.  We are only able to offer KGW as a free event because of our wonderful sponsors.”

Event Sponsors: Reedy International and The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc.

Major Sponsors: Pine Belt Nissan of Keyport, Sea Grass Design and Landscape LLC

Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative (KBBC) and Trinity Restaurant

Supporters: NY/NJ Baykeeper, Espresso Joe’s and Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream

Contributors: Apollo Sewer & Plumbing, Check Electrical Corporation, Sovereign Santander Bank – Keyport Branch, Keyport Spanish American Club and Dearborn Market.  

“We applaud these businesses and organizations for embracing our mission – Keyport GardenWalk would not happen without their generosity and support,” said Skeen.

Keyport Garden Club President Reilly summed it up by saying “On June 8th and 9th we will once again open our town to folks from far and near, and prove to them, and to ourselves, that something like Sandy will not stop gardeners from bringing beauty to their surroundings; we will continue to bloom!"

For more information about Keyport GardenWalk, June 8^th and 9^th – 11:00AM – 3:00PM please contact Clare Skeen – 732-687-9519.

   

Edible Academy Family Garden Picnic Featuring Celebrity Chef Mario Batali

Chef Mario Batali gardening at NYBG's Ruth Rea Family Garden's new Edible Academy, children's vegetable garden

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) sent a media alert - asking me to share with my readers and garden audience.

It is my pleasure to tell you about two of my most favorite passions: locavore chefs and edible gardens.  

Never mind that Mario Batali is a celebrity chef - he is a committed homegrown chef and one of the featured chefs in my New York Homegrown Cookbook - next in the series, following on The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook.

Plus, I worked at NYBG and was honored to have had the opportunity to promote and tell the good food and garden news of the Ruth Rea Family Garden.  I loved the plant filled caterpillar that greeted guests at the entrance with its Hakone grass eyelashes... So sweet.

And I cherish the porcelain covered dish given to me by the Korean family gardeners who worked the cultural garden there... It is a constant reminder of a a beautiful sentiment  and edible education exchange.

There is joy and happiness that reigns in this garden. 

You can't miss this:

Join Chef and New York Botanical Garden Board Member Mario Batali on a culinary adventure on Monday, June 10, from 4–8 p.m., with a delicious picnic supper and activities, and watch him in action at a live cooking demonstration. All proceeds benefit the development of the Botanical Garden’s new Edible Academy, hub of the children’s vegetable gardening program.

The Edible Academy will be a dramatic expansion of the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, creating a year-round learning center that will educate 80,000 children, teachers, families, and adults each year about the important connections between plants, gardening, nutrition, and health, expanding on the wonderful programs already in place at the Family Garden.

Tickets for Mario’s cooking demo and book signing start at $40 for adults, $15 for kids. For tickets and information, visit nybg.org/familypicnic, call 718.817.8773, or email cbalkonis@nybg.org.

WHO: Celebrity Chef and Garden Board Member Mario Batali
 Special Cooking Demo Guest Daphne Oz, Mario’s co-host on ABC’s The Chew.

WHEN: Monday, June 10, 2013, 4–8 p.m., rain or shine

This exciting culinary adventure begins with a delicious picnic supper designed personally by Mario. Enjoy your picnic on the beautiful Garden grounds, then dig in to some hands-on fun in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden. Learn to harvest vegetables through engaging hands-on tutorials, compete in a corn-shucking contest, follow clues to Mario’s mystery ingredient, climb a giant oak tree, see a European eagle owl, make your own chef’s hat, harvest bags, seed pets, pickles, and more.

Schedule of Events

4–7 p.m. 5:30–6 p.m. 6–6:45 p.m. 7–8 p.m.

Garden Picnic and Activities
Book signing with Mario Batali
Cooking Demonstration featuring Mario Batali and Daphne Oz 
Cocktail Reception hosted by Mario Batali
and the Edible Academy Chairmen, supported by Whole Foods Market®

WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden