tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42070300252917412562024-03-14T04:11:10.528-04:00NYC Rooftop GardenerPhotos and musings on our rooftop garden in Manhattan, New York.Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-28942972902019364762015-04-04T22:33:00.001-04:002015-04-04T22:43:41.217-04:00For Whom the Bell Tolls<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-THCtgPX1Ykg/VSCe6D1Nb2I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/vs5fccgXcFw/s1600-h/Slide1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Slide1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Slide1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BC3ROxVJJSI/VSCe6uNd_mI/AAAAAAAAB_g/L9b7ByRAhEA/Slide1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1060" height="820"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-siI2nQ8x4Dg/VSChWc-zTEI/AAAAAAAAB_8/iQrA1me5RkQ/s1600-h/Slide2%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Slide2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Slide2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EE74HXH-sk8/VSChW7Kwx2I/AAAAAAAACAA/nvbn5cqffFs/Slide2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1060" height="820"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-62826292200649918942015-04-02T14:07:00.001-04:002015-04-03T17:28:30.273-04:00Honeysuckle Dreams<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mmhx2T-7JW0/VR8F-TZ1emI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/NBcS-HKbSqo/s1600-h/Honeysuckle%252520Blog%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Honeysuckle Blog" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Honeysuckle Blog" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8q9zKrj6fp0/VR2FT8xChwI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/R7Tagah81zU/Honeysuckle%252520Blog_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1120" height="867"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-19284665375700365302014-12-01T21:39:00.000-05:002015-04-03T22:42:08.046-04:002014 Seedlings that came up on their own–this year I can pull the weeds out right away!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rb_4TqoYRhs/VR9NZSuY31I/AAAAAAAAB-4/s-xLkh-5rlY/s1600-h/2014%252520Seedlings%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="2014 Seedlings" alt="2014 Seedlings" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r4jCYnd9e0I/VR9NZ38svjI/AAAAAAAAB_A/y0WMs4lvV3Q/2014%252520Seedlings_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1106" height="829"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-45106045337289699732014-10-24T01:36:00.001-04:002014-10-24T01:53:59.636-04:00The Mockingbird<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Hn3Rq7CX4U/VEnlRYiOIQI/AAAAAAAABzk/BXYK9rwABEk/s1600-h/Mockingbird1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mockingbird1" border="0" alt="Mockingbird1" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-56fODF1k7PA/VEnlSI0JejI/AAAAAAAABzs/VNosEjNR2B4/Mockingbird1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="417"></a></p> <h4><font face="Book Antiqua"><font size="7">I </font><font size="5">have been trying to grow Telekia Speciosa for a very long time. It took me two whole years to identify the plant as I had seen it up at Innisfree in the summer of 2012. Then I purchased seeds from two separate organic farms online and nothing came up from either batch, a total of 4 plantings, plus one set of stratified seeds. I was getting annoyed as I'd been wanting this plant for a long time. Then one day a whole bunch of seedlings emerged and I was ecstatic. Finally, it looked like a BIG BOUNTY of yellow and brown flowers would be blooming later in the summer. The shoots grew vigorously and in such abundance I could just imagine a beautiful stand of this exotic daisy-like flower. Within a month they were nearly 3 feet tall. I transplanted them to a few choice spots. When the flower buds formed, they were little white specs that sort-of resembled tomatoes. Hmm, definitely not the large Rudbekia-like blossoms I was expecting. Soon enough, clusters of small green berries appeared. I took photos and posted them on All About Plants.com for identification. At first I was told they were Deadly Nightshade which is poisonous. A few posts later I was informed that it was Black Nightshade, and they were edible. I tried a few and they were tasty; not as sweet as blueberries, but similar. By now, they were taking over the container with my baby Gingko tree, and the 2 other pots where I had planted them. The leaves were infested with mites and looked totally moth-eaten. I was ready to pull them all out as soon as I had a free morning.</font></font></h4><font size="5"><font face="Book Antiqua"> </font> <h4><font size="5" face="Book Antiqua">Next time I was up in the garden reading a book and relaxing when a grayish-brown bird with a white belly landed on a pole and started squawking. For years, we’ve had a continuous flow of Mourning doves and Catbirds, but I had never seen this bird before. </font></h4> <h4><font size="5" face="Book Antiqua"></font> </h4> <h4><font size="5" face="Book Antiqua">I watched it turn in each of the 4 cardinal directions, perched on that black exhaust pipe, announcing something to each direction. I knew not what the special message was, or who it was meant for. But I was intrigued by the new visitor and watched curiously. With a flap of it’s wings, it hopped from the pipe onto the Gingko, and then dove into the Nightshade. It hopped back to the black pipe with a berry in it’s beak. With a swift jerking motion, it tilted it's head back, opened it's beak, and down rolled the berry. Then it flew up to the railing above the elevator shaft and wiped it's bill on the cloth rope that was holding the outdoor lighting in place. After a few more chirps, it flew back down to the black pipe, squawked to the 4 directions and dove into the bush again, repeated the ritual.</font></h4> <p> </p></font> <h4><font size="5" face="Book Antiqua">At that point I decided that I would not be pulling out the<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vUgYv9nWv4/VEnlSSkY6eI/AAAAAAAABzU/gXdQAUeFY78/s1600-h/Mockingbird2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mockingbird2" border="0" alt="Mockingbird2" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_zDtrPyImc0/VEnlS_0xDhI/AAAAAAAABzc/be0L8bGdI-Y/Mockingbird2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="294"></a> Nightshade. Until that moment, it had not occurred to me that other creatures were feasting on what I thought was an invasive plant. The Mockingbird came to eat berries every day for several weeks until I became inspired to harvest some for myself. My husband declared they were delicious and ate them on his granola every morning. <font style="font-weight: bold"><em>Message from the universe</em></font>: Consider the bigger picture before making decisions.</font></h4> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-19721952891336280402014-09-29T08:24:00.002-04:002014-09-29T08:24:39.561-04:00Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-64762021013713149902014-09-29T08:18:00.001-04:002015-03-31T14:22:04.413-04:00Honeysuckle Dreams<p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D0D9GUwBAGQ/VClOC285oOI/AAAAAAAABwo/o1GjwFSzoR8/s1600-h/Honeysuckle-Flower-Fairy6.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 13px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Honeysuckle-Flower-Fairy" border="0" alt="Honeysuckle-Flower-Fairy" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gk7bMPS63eE/VClOEfBRzhI/AAAAAAAABww/lpTgE1m1f38/Honeysuckle-Flower-Fairy_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="516"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I9eTxcA9sn4/VClOHSu8ppI/AAAAAAAABw4/zasDJRJETCI/s1600-h/P107020416.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070204" border="0" alt="P1070204" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UZ7O5cD2eMI/VClOICy4-UI/AAAAAAAABxA/IJFDTYMG9ZI/P1070204_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="496"></a> <p><strong><u><font size="5">The Song of the Honeysuckle Fairy </font></u></strong></p> <p><font size="5">The lane is deep, the bank is steep, <br>The tangled hedge is high; <br>And clinging, twisting, up I creep, <br>And climb towards the sky. <br>O Honeysuckle, mounting high! <br>Woodbine, climbing to the sky! </font></p> <p><font size="5">The people in the lane below <br>Look up and see me there, <br>Where I my honey-trumpets blow, <br>Whose sweetness fills the air. <br>O Honeysuckle, waving there! <br>0 Woodbine, scenting all the air! </font> <p><font size="3">-By Cicely Mary Barker, 1925</font> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-13699846598261891452014-05-31T01:44:00.001-04:002014-06-02T00:38:05.177-04:00Wondering about Wisteria<h6><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c1a1fG1PRF0/U4lsErUdNQI/AAAAAAAABls/6vrbxbKDuWU/s1600-h/wisteria-2-blog%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wisteria-2-blog" border="0" alt="wisteria-2-blog" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W-r-pBIVvjI/U4lsF7gvfNI/AAAAAAAABl0/Iimf4nFTB6A/wisteria-2-blog_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n0Xp1V9oU7o/U4lsHf7xOKI/AAAAAAAABl8/j5UlvOwUA7A/s1600-h/wisteria-3-blog%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wisteria-3-blog" border="0" alt="wisteria-3-blog" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LiBSlKQYSMc/U4lsH4B_r5I/AAAAAAAABmE/lWs2RHScQUw/wisteria-3-blog_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DmN3kyIggMc/U4lsJGPPs0I/AAAAAAAABmM/gel_8aiGDQs/s1600-h/wisteria-blog-1%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wisteria-blog-1" border="0" alt="wisteria-blog-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IPzjMw79X6g/U4lsJhK8IpI/AAAAAAAABmU/049ymaiRfkI/wisteria-blog-1_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="241"></a></h6> <h6><font size="3">I wish I knew why I got so excited and heart-filled-to-bursting whenever I see Wisteria blossoms hanging down from arbors in the spring. Perhaps it dates back to my earliest Wisteria memory. I had recently learned how to ride a two-wheel bike and had earned the privilege of riding alone beyond the safety of our block. It was springtime and I ran home from school and got on that red bike. I pedaled all around the somewhat hilly neighborhood called “Wooded Estates” that bordered our flat street. It was dusk and I was trying to remember the way home when I came to a double dip hill. Before I knew it, I was speeding straight into a patch of sand and the bike spun out of control. I hit the pavement with shock, indignity and a skinned knee. I pulled my bike out of the road and sat down to collect myself. Big girls don’t cry. There, right next to me was a beautiful stand of wisteria along a fence. I had never seen anything like it, and the fragrance pulled me out of my panic-stricken pain mode into a world of wonder. I just sat on the grass smelling that almost grape-like-lavender smell and feeling the cool freshness of the blossoms. AAH, the healing power of Wisteria. Plant Medicine. Her spirit was working on me and I didn’t even know it. Soon the owner came out and asked me if I was OK, and by then I really was OK and recovered enough to get back on the bike and go home. From then on I changed my route walking home from school so that I could pass by and smell the Wisteria. It became something I looked forward to every Spring.</font></h6> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Juu5Kt0AAQ/U4okk6kZ8dI/AAAAAAAABnM/T7lJMxrbo9Y/s1600-h/Wisteria-Mullein-BLOG%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Wisteria-Mullein-BLOG" border="0" alt="Wisteria-Mullein-BLOG" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3vIEDGlZnio/U4okmdvlEEI/AAAAAAAABnU/uu6_PeKGlK4/Wisteria-Mullein-BLOG_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="674" height="451"></a></p> <h6><font size="3">I bought this wisteria vine at the farmer’s market 4 summer’s ago - locally grown, 3-4 years old. I didn’t know much about wisteria and assumed it would grow and bloom profusely since that’s the impression I’ve had when I admire it in public gardens. Our roof has tall railings and beams around the water tower that would look nice covered in purple blossoms. I had no clue that this would be a long-term realization, as it is still not very tall.</font></h6> <h6><font size="3">Last year it bloomed for the first time with 8 clusters. Then it became infested with aphids and caught a virus that made the leaves mottled and wilty. I read online that this can’t be treated and the plant would likely die. In a panic, I cut it way back – all the unsightly areas got snipped off and it recovered. The winter was so harsh but I wrapped the pot in foam packaging and this spring it has about 20 blossoms. WOW. The fragrance is divine. And the mullein fills up the bottom of the pot beautifully like a gentle soothing anchor. I love Mullein for it’s medicinal properties, clearing the lungs, lubricating joints and moisturizing our internal organs. Perhaps the Mullein helped the Wisteria heal from it’s virus.</font></h6> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-75051539635255533032014-05-28T12:11:00.001-04:002014-05-30T20:00:50.146-04:00Seedling Identification<p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">I am determined to learn how to identify seedlings so that I don’t get my hopes up over something that turns out to be a weed. We’ve had some great plants arrive on the wind or from birds, but also a lot of weeds. This will be my official weed identification page for future reference.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">If anyone here knows… please comment. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PqUYs1WiKSo/U4kVEW4qTmI/AAAAAAAABec/iM_IcHAZjt8/s1600-h/P1060931%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060931" border="0" alt="P1060931" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SPjNNla1HiQ/U4YKaT-kI-I/AAAAAAAABeg/ai4fz-cNGdk/P1060931_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="212"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2KkE_1OWOI/U4YKbhDNL9I/AAAAAAAABes/ywmRSLsTBbc/s1600-h/P1060932%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060932" border="0" alt="P1060932" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q8fiQU7ekhw/U4YKcEq57PI/AAAAAAAABe0/D3VaT3t8Avo/P1060932_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="211"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g5-U5Pa4FFU/U4YOU4VsdLI/AAAAAAAABe8/G4orgDqD4WA/s1600-h/P1060938%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060938" border="0" alt="P1060938" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A75npPkPLn8/U4YOVm4D-eI/AAAAAAAABfE/5obF1jB1oqI/P1060938_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210"></font></a> <font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EmtDzm6owdM/U4YKpNFmZeI/AAAAAAAABfM/dOvBwubUBgU/s1600-h/P1060939%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060939" border="0" alt="P1060939" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OGYG_MdwpTY/U4YKpukmeRI/AAAAAAAABfU/Nzl1GoGJEwo/P1060939_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="209"></font></a></p> <h5><font face="Arial">#1 - I had zinnia’s in this box last year but these don’t look #2 No clue what these might be. Came on the wind I think.</font></h5> <h5><font face="Arial">like zinnias. I<em> suspect this could be fleabane….</em></font></h5> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Z7iQjLz38s/U4YKc5AZpTI/AAAAAAAABXk/bF3LIF_mvdQ/s1600-h/P1060933%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060933" border="0" alt="P1060933" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zR9UqQgFyeo/U4YKdWoABxI/AAAAAAAABXo/mQV9ORlinPY/P1060933_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--G_nXjedoVE/U4YKeCV7qCI/AAAAAAAABX0/-kRFxHpP7UA/s1600-h/P1060934%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060934" border="0" alt="P1060934" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QmvD6C1yPd4/U4YKenjfJBI/AAAAAAAABX4/QqDPivbrhR4/P1060934_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1_0K48dUCAA/U4YKglJk-wI/AAAAAAAABYU/d2HEk3adeq8/s1600-h/P1060936%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060936" border="0" alt="P1060936" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kF9WrDE98pM/U4YKhE2RBrI/AAAAAAAABYY/wv4vSs9BmG0/P1060936_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jTO-IcCibDU/U4YKia0vb5I/AAAAAAAABYk/zcoV3Y9Yc70/s1600-h/P1060937%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060937" border="0" alt="P1060937" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lIYpJ4z9hW8/U4YKi39dgMI/AAAAAAAABYo/Y0OUKcKYt-U/P1060937_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Tall Yellow Coneflower Mexican Hat Coneflower Probably Celosia Spicata Pretty sure this is Gallardia</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dJFmoW-rPyE/U4kVMJfBooI/AAAAAAAABfc/ndtTscl-xSM/s1600-h/P1070063%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070063" border="0" alt="P1070063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mmjwv-Blxwo/U4kVMnAuMtI/AAAAAAAABfk/0H_UwkhKRTM/P1070063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--emqMZRma-4/U4kVNgXM39I/AAAAAAAABfs/fUajdQ5e8A8/s1600-h/P1050972%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050972" border="0" alt="P1050972" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OwG5u_Y1FYQ/U4kVOKNdHKI/AAAAAAAABfw/LRkBRPHF48w/P1050972_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="162"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WPQ9LzEruhw/U4kVPRKA18I/AAAAAAAABf8/SKekaYpIk0o/s1600-h/P1070056%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070056" border="0" alt="P1070056" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-51La1MQDlZM/U4kVPyIUC4I/AAAAAAAABgE/DgZ-b5mavT0/P1070056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C_wWxmotPxs/U4kVRzEBbgI/AAAAAAAABgM/XIzadEoNufU/s1600-h/P1070154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070154" border="0" alt="P1070154" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6yqCs2fMNKk/U4kVSUImwXI/AAAAAAAABgQ/cZT6KOiA_jA/P1070154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Salvia Euphorbia (snow on the mountain, self seeded) Ailanthus tree from seed (3 leaves)</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Oivoxmk2y0g/U4kVTI6zepI/AAAAAAAABgc/aU_D5YVRLV0/s1600-h/P1070068%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070068" border="0" alt="P1070068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iubAY8I4qP0/U4kVTy8JPbI/AAAAAAAABgk/WRVQlw2HHyQ/P1070068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dS8rfxlMn1A/U4kVU8X5YYI/AAAAAAAABgs/QEQ6BiW9Vxo/s1600-h/P1070126%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070126" border="0" alt="P1070126" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bZv7qLLYXyM/U4kVVfT0UvI/AAAAAAAABgw/O_ic25_7O2U/P1070126_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="163"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1OkUbr87E3c/U4kVWGGn30I/AAAAAAAABg8/fynBj5DTIH4/s1600-h/P1070131%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070131" border="0" alt="P1070131" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TFMVHuNzP1I/U4kVWuPnwrI/AAAAAAAABhA/E3-MfNLBGlQ/P1070131_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PXa3SwHzjUA/U4kVXZidmxI/AAAAAAAABhM/5gQxKjXCHnM/s1600-h/P1070076%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070076" border="0" alt="P1070076" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IXbOD1OBE-M/U4kVYV4RA5I/AAAAAAAABhU/5hInmYJHD5w/P1070076_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="163"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">These are all morning glory seeds that sow themselves. I love the way their leaves unfold.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QRbi0FZ1lY8/U4kVZogomzI/AAAAAAAABhc/ivMMS0MlymI/s1600-h/P1070240%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070240" border="0" alt="P1070240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i1OinlsPfo0/U4kVaNSN32I/AAAAAAAABhk/A0C5INX0iRE/P1070240_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MNp8ZFkcoFg/U4kVbHIbRmI/AAAAAAAABhs/a5aFLGtiWwQ/s1600-h/P1070243%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070243" border="0" alt="P1070243" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xlEm7TfcLJs/U4kVbi-hjaI/AAAAAAAABhw/K0jR8Y8wWVA/P1070243_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q3q1lfvY0FY/U4kVcZb0PII/AAAAAAAABh8/PZEOLxvUo6Y/s1600-h/P1070244%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070244" border="0" alt="P1070244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wviwrDmfkpw/U4kVc6ihW6I/AAAAAAAABiE/nyyyEqyCtUk/P1070244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6bbLnRsE4MI/U4kVeomRgNI/AAAAAAAABiM/xTrgE6lPjj4/s1600-h/P1070245%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070245" border="0" alt="P1070245" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jjU5nojUjPk/U4kVfHpG15I/AAAAAAAABiU/blsxEJOSwNA/P1070245_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranth that grows long red tendrils) Shoo Fly Mystery plant (tobacco?)</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UmGJDfuZ-lQ/U4kVfyoaVyI/AAAAAAAABic/p6LGh1z3c9w/s1600-h/P1050981%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050981" border="0" alt="P1050981" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D9iW6Ou2Fvg/U4kVgWg0yPI/AAAAAAAABig/aR9Dq7oDDKM/P1050981_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="163"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7H2HHvHaz5o/U4kVhWAlBFI/AAAAAAAABis/_0cHx_1rYqQ/s1600-h/P1070249%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070249" border="0" alt="P1070249" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w5yUoc_c11U/U4kVh8JO1_I/AAAAAAAABiw/Tah98z_v7_U/P1070249_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nh99mUeFvxg/U4kVirzuVDI/AAAAAAAABi8/bBeW8FuSwnI/s1600-h/P1070252%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070252" border="0" alt="P1070252" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rSNYzY7NFNM/U4kVjZldCDI/AAAAAAAABjA/_oMWtMC_EqM/P1070252_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cv7fmBsCE6o/U4kVkpu9dzI/AAAAAAAABjM/t4LTi8utMGY/s1600-h/P1070290%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070290" border="0" alt="P1070290" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rEaV9LBktVI/U4kVlL3fhgI/AAAAAAAABjQ/yiQhecL8fxU/P1070290_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Elderberry in April, and now with buds coming soon. Tobacco or Elecampane? Petunia (left) and Tobacco (right)</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XS3rCp1zAb4/U4kVlj-wdtI/AAAAAAAABjc/8q4yvxCH84Y/s1600-h/P1070262%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070262" border="0" alt="P1070262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aD8_9qc00P8/U4kVmXje2WI/AAAAAAAABjk/c8oCLqjKXQ4/P1070262_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x9DhOp6bpiE/U4kVnBNKnPI/AAAAAAAABjs/L8AvpFgpLlA/s1600-h/P1070266%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070266" border="0" alt="P1070266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mcSvtXX99GI/U4kVnrwV5mI/AAAAAAAABjw/tBmr6JJ4a2c/P1070266_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zztGwjsE4hw/U4kVoc7FhcI/AAAAAAAABj8/_dFXYcL2BSY/s1600-h/P1070270%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070270" border="0" alt="P1070270" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CTm7hi9iklg/U4kVo7bmOSI/AAAAAAAABkA/gnjVvhvo-Ys/P1070270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5VrsqyL9eC8/U4kVpwiJEbI/AAAAAAAABkM/DJpFlsCujg8/s1600-h/P1070250%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1070250" border="0" alt="P1070250" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TNuwgWf9u8I/U4kVqdWfXFI/AAAAAAAABkQ/gLI0-9LT0z0/P1070250_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">These are Convolvus Ensign or dwarf morning glory. In late April I soaked the seeds and they did not come up. These are mid-May.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iUlRA8rqf9Y/U4YOWZj077I/AAAAAAAABZo/p4uDaJCg4Gw/s1600-h/P1060935%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060935" border="0" alt="P1060935" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7KXNAUiRqdA/U4YOW4iAnaI/AAAAAAAABZw/lafKjNm-mak/P1060935_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gY3I4mDcnqw/U4YOYoPrpnI/AAAAAAAABZ4/Wjf1p1Cb4A8/s1600-h/P1060444%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060444" border="0" alt="P1060444" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cMsFmq1fiv0/U4YOaLtcFPI/AAAAAAAABaA/ZN9hTOuafEw/P1060444_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g0UlsnfNFZU/U4YObG7Ml1I/AAAAAAAABaI/_s_ppkYwHEY/s1600-h/P1060446%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060446" border="0" alt="P1060446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t5s7WhAk8w4/U4YObgvcEwI/AAAAAAAABaQ/JNnePx60T3U/P1060446_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5L9ReXT6MB4/U4YOcY9hlpI/AAAAAAAABaY/8SWI8SMk8Lg/s1600-h/P1060448%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060448" border="0" alt="P1060448" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GX5P6WL0SlU/U4YOc6Y6-FI/AAAAAAAABac/b2fvzV57fRo/P1060448_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Datura --came on the wind Virginia Cup flower Feverfew<em> (re-seeded itself</em>) Groundcover – <em>Henbit blew in on wind</em></font></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-doPH-n6BFLI/U4YQv299dsI/AAAAAAAABbE/Ne46xvXU9uA/s1600-h/P1060445%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060445" border="0" alt="P1060445" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fr3QaTSA5IM/U4YQwY3K9KI/AAAAAAAABbM/mHW0zNu-c8U/P1060445_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="185"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hnGAOAq_sXQ/U4aqOYup9xI/AAAAAAAABbU/PiyEqbI5IpQ/s1600-h/P1060450%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060450" border="0" alt="P1060450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ae2kEHYksiE/U4aqO4N6FbI/AAAAAAAABbY/gSggTGWA4sQ/P1060450_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F-oJKvriuHg/U4aqPoa9vHI/AAAAAAAABbk/EmmtJsavGGs/s1600-h/P1050962%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050962" border="0" alt="Mullein" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y2vyr7LBLbg/U4aqQJCknGI/AAAAAAAABbo/5x5_xj8H3C0/P1050962_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XDKonF17k0s/U4aqQ8W1vbI/AAAAAAAABb0/ihdqb-taEBY/s1600-h/P1050965%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050965" border="0" alt="P1050965" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z3w_wpEcqXg/U4aqRfasVgI/AAAAAAAABb4/qGgIgaQTcBQ/P1050965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">seeds planted in March Yarrow Mullein Sedum</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tzJslvy4Or0/U4aqSbUKdXI/AAAAAAAABcE/JB08I_veY8g/s1600-h/P1050968%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050968" border="0" alt="P1050968" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qUriAiY39yo/U4aqSmMb0GI/AAAAAAAABcI/BPs-PM-bW1s/P1050968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MHd51aVAWi4/U4aqTTT8h_I/AAAAAAAABcU/on-isFq2npI/s1600-h/P1060011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060011" border="0" alt="P1060011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eQIXLJ5HHYc/U4aqUKb_dPI/AAAAAAAABcc/QX3FHeHXl00/P1060011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AtyG_yCIIqs/U4aqVMYT3bI/AAAAAAAABck/kCml7PJzYoo/s1600-h/P1060016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060016" border="0" alt="P1060016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kel8ecIxu7c/U4aqVUG42RI/AAAAAAAABco/xxKayoZdG30/P1060016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Dw8xN4vED4/U4aqWHn1NWI/AAAAAAAABc0/m-Tu8Ftp-oY/s1600-h/P1060003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060003" border="0" alt="P1060003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KdNFyO7gD7c/U4aqWjIZM8I/AAAAAAAABc4/-rFljMlcXjU/P1060003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Tansy Elderberry Mint Gingko (from seed)</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zcifhti7TP0/U4aqXLzs_-I/AAAAAAAABdE/uLkpKrPcwwg/s1600-h/P1060035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060035" border="0" alt="P1060035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BZ1wr12AT-E/U4aqXhT4nEI/AAAAAAAABdI/KCiCP4-m_90/P1060035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--5DxBG1wahY/U4aqYRqSFnI/AAAAAAAABdU/BLt8iR5f7oE/s1600-h/P1050985%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050985" border="0" alt="P1050985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AmUweeBKAiY/U4aqY8_WmGI/AAAAAAAABdY/tsm3EbrkurI/P1050985_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lLTVuQS67nE/U4aqZ3klx8I/AAAAAAAABdg/o-u-ch82Tpc/s1600-h/P1050990%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050990" border="0" alt="P1050990" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VRikZcwcICs/U4aqaWAoFBI/AAAAAAAABds/896xP7kxoMU/P1050990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lEnj1hURsUs/U4aqa3g-DhI/AAAAAAAABd0/GMZ6BcO-bGI/s1600-h/P1050993%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050993" border="0" alt="P1050993" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HAqxe70z2Ko/U4aqbYK0PuI/AAAAAAAABd4/cmqJ-OiPL5I/P1050993_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-75M4QbJPaW8/U4aqbhyoQ2I/AAAAAAAABeE/q9f4dR3VTbM/s1600-h/P1050999%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="2" face="Arial"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050999" border="0" alt="P1050999" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2U5hruc4ums/U4aqcJg_1oI/AAAAAAAABeM/_Da2toOhXlI/P1050999_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">There is nothing more hopeful that buds coming out of a twig or branch.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial"></font></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-64352689365694134562014-03-18T11:36:00.001-04:002014-03-18T17:36:14.482-04:00Tobacco<h4><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tbFgO9_eUD4/Uyhnx0CnbeI/AAAAAAAABPE/UtP8cTl6Z_s/s1600-h/1Tobacco3web%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco3web" border="0" alt="1Tobacco3web" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TK0hgmq7u3k/Uyhny_xZAYI/AAAAAAAABPM/Lhtj0MJuLPE/1Tobacco3web_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1172" height="783"></a></h4> <p><font size="4">The tobacco plant is native to the Americas and has been used by indigenous peoples in ceremony and as medicine since before the Christian Era. It was used for toothaches, and for dressing wounds. When burned in a pipe for prayer ceremonies, the smoke is not inhaled into the lungs. Native people would offer tobacco leaves as a gift to European settlers when they first arrived. It was used as a bartering item and was often considered “as good as gold.” Columbus brought it back to Europe as a plant known for it’s medicinal and insecticidal properties. During the Colonial era smoking cigars and pipes became popular. It’s addictive properties did not become apparent until people who smoked regularly tried to stop and realized how hard it was. The chemical nicotine was identified in 1828 when a German scientist classified it as a poison. During the Civil War smoking became more widespread to ward off hunger, and then later during the 1900’s cigarettes gained popularity. During the World Wars cigarette use among soldiers became even more common. The way tobacco is cured has a direct effect on the level of nicotine. If leaves are simply pulled or cut off the stalk and dried in the sun, they do not have as much nicotine as when they are dried slowly using gradual heat.</font></p> <p><font size="4">This particular tobacco has a wonderful perfume scent that is stronger in the evening. It is an incredibly hardy plant that grows well in a container and takes the rooftop heat, although it also attracted aphids and green caterpillars. Symbolically, because of it’s ceremonial use, I am happy to have tobacco growing on my roof.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lGS2ewCGLNk/UyhnzsZTAZI/AAAAAAAABRI/H1VIR74jBE4/s1600-h/1Tobacco5web%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco5web" border="0" alt="1Tobacco5web" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HZA84MiiMts/Uyhn0G4t8hI/AAAAAAAABRQ/Zr1-BL161Jw/1Tobacco5web_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="807"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k_1i51Azbzg/Uyhn4pv9GlI/AAAAAAAABRY/DNd_UmzaK8Q/s1600-h/1Tobacco1web%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco1web" border="0" alt="1Tobacco1web" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BM8dWBr75t0/Uyhn5DouHjI/AAAAAAAABRg/pi1nYrkifZ4/1Tobacco1web_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="808"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WRMnDgXuprE/Uyhn0449GiI/AAAAAAAABRo/B5xaxdaX8wk/s1600-h/1Tobacco4web%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco4web" border="0" alt="1Tobacco4web" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x8XXLycTJFo/Uyhn1hpMLNI/AAAAAAAABRs/90mSJ7nyvHY/1Tobacco4web_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="248"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-355ISjMRdzk/Uyhn2bJFnHI/AAAAAAAABR4/f84vQXRfAQE/s1600-h/1Tobacco2web%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco2web" border="0" alt="1Tobacco2web" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uUIEB6uUE3o/Uyhn29TjrkI/AAAAAAAABSA/qqAnJEcdBeQ/1Tobacco2web_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="247"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hPWcGoGKwos/Uyhn3nPVk2I/AAAAAAAABSI/o3dmnJl3wmI/s1600-h/1Tobacco6%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Tobacco6" border="0" alt="1Tobacco6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WtxS9Bs-sCI/Uyhn4BHg3TI/AAAAAAAABSQ/Bge3wvieZxc/1Tobacco6_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="247"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-3196692929951034072014-03-16T23:00:00.001-04:002014-03-17T12:44:31.295-04:00Love Lies Bleeding - Amaranth<h4><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0AHjn6s8TTA/UyZlMbRGTJI/AAAAAAAABKI/jMwEx6GAzwc/s1600-h/Love-Lies-Bleeding-1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 21px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Love-Lies-Bleeding-1" border="0" alt="Love-Lies-Bleeding-1" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nJxbB9Nc0cc/UyZlNLKpNCI/AAAAAAAABKQ/7IZt2LMoV58/Love-Lies-Bleeding-1_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="463"></a><font color="#7d0d26">Amaranth is a highly nutritious food dating back to the Aztecs and </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jd-2j27QPLo/UyceU1SPAoI/AAAAAAAABKY/WZ-IH69Fb1w/s1600-h/0LoveLiesBleeding%252520tall%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><font color="#7d0d26"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0LoveLiesBleeding tall" border="0" alt="0LoveLiesBleeding tall" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vinu8A1TAAk/UyceVUq28eI/AAAAAAAABKg/U08WzGQZxBQ/0LoveLiesBleeding%252520tall_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="461"></font></a><font color="#7d0d26">looks pretty cool on the roof. It’s a self-sowing annual that is native to Central America, and found in India and Asia as well. The leaves might not look like much, but the blossoms are fun to watch. They can get quite quite long – up to 24 inches. They tolerate the heat although they don’t thrive it in. It takes a lot of fertilizer to keep the leaves looking nice. Otherwise, it’s a nice long-lasting addition of low-maintenance color – red blossoms starting in July, and reaching their ultimate splendor in September. When the tassels get really long, they need to be staked. Amaranth doesn’t need dead-heading to continue blooming. <em>Sometimes the Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus and Morning Glories can wear me out with endless dead-heading to keep them blooming.</em></font></h4> <h4><font color="#7d0d26">NUTRITIONAL VALUE: All parts of this plant are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The roots will tonify the spleen. The leaves are highly nutritious, similar to spinach. The seeds are high in protein and minerals and can be cooked, popped, or ground into flour. They contain high levels of L-Lysine, which might be why I like them. They also contain high levels of calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin E and B complex.</font> </h4> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dn8wBExDmGE/UyZlN6has0I/AAAAAAAABNs/83_lMLMESTg/s1600-h/Love-Lies-Bleeding-3%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Love-Lies-Bleeding-3" border="0" alt="Love-Lies-Bleeding-3" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q_x9Z47SAMI/UyZlOTTDD8I/AAAAAAAABN0/jirLPcniwKs/Love-Lies-Bleeding-3_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="195"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-01EKQtZHGzY/UyZlQV1k-cI/AAAAAAAABM8/C4LNjj4ILCM/s1600-h/Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends" border="0" alt="Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_QwgbkAdF0A/UyZlQ_4_CDI/AAAAAAAABNE/rns-uVghl7E/Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="196"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4fkGtkD8x-s/UyZlR8pNkqI/AAAAAAAABOM/k9kVX4r4kQ4/s1600-h/Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends2%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends2" border="0" alt="Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends2" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9UCrkLKRqFY/UyZlSOgitKI/AAAAAAAABOU/V95li_eekhc/Love-Lies-Bleeding-friends2_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="196"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P25jJwPmoLI/UyZlPDpOIdI/AAAAAAAABNc/8FbozKIDsK8/s1600-h/Love-Lies-Bleeding-2%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Love-Lies-Bleeding-2" border="0" alt="Love-Lies-Bleeding-2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Tcpqnu2ZgM/UyZlPmrGIsI/AAAAAAAABNg/AH78N0lI8jk/Love-Lies-Bleeding-2_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="196"></a></p> <h4><font color="#7d0d26">I love the way the long tassels touch other plants – they start off at the top of their own leafy stalk, but as they hang down, they will pass by other flowers along the way – as if they are coming to visit.</font></h4> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-4386199198276156342014-03-02T21:34:00.000-05:002014-03-18T22:23:17.197-04:00Euphoria Marginata–Snow on the Mountain<h4><span style="font-size: large"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-crUxF37oBww/UxUokH6_TyI/AAAAAAAAA78/L9KXdH0ogH0/s1600-h/Euphorbia-Collage-1lr%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Euphorbia-Collage-1lr" border="0" alt="Euphorbia-Collage-1lr" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iXNQkgyR5oo/UxUolAUL2DI/AAAAAAAAA8E/4zwFjDNBDfI/Euphorbia-Collage-1lr_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="762" height="589"></a></span></h4> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong></strong></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong>This is a beautiful, self-sowing annual that grows well on the roof. The plants that self-sow grow taller and bloom for longer periods than the seeds that I tenderly plant and then transplant. The hardiest plants came up between the cracks of the roof tiles. It makes a great fill-in the spaces between taller shrubs and border annuals.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong>I fell in love with this plant at the Brooklyn Botanical garden and was happy to find seeds online. It blooms from August through September and takes the heat pretty well.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong></strong></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong></strong></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size: large"><strong></strong></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size: large"></span><font size="4"></font><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LdjE9kVQnlc/UxUqC-iVOsI/AAAAAAAABT8/zXxLqK1sLd0/s1600-h/1Euphorbia-02a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Euphorbia-02a" border="0" alt="1Euphorbia-02a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k1r_QhkPers/UxUqDbK6MjI/AAAAAAAABUE/eup0e5FXz3Q/1Euphorbia-02a_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4qHtHc3sDwQ/UxUqEjZCxWI/AAAAAAAABUM/5nAjq93hyE4/s1600-h/1Euphorbia-06%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Euphorbia-06" border="0" alt="1Euphorbia-06" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kn1BHGY9grI/UxUqExLME8I/AAAAAAAABUQ/pqR9JxBjQzY/1Euphorbia-06_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u2bcqV6W_OU/UxUqGAzqt9I/AAAAAAAABUc/shZ1z-b4-UE/s1600-h/1Euphorbia-cracks%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Euphorbia-cracks" border="0" alt="1Euphorbia-cracks" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6VcoBrVupy8/UxUqGU0J7kI/AAAAAAAABUk/AyQmd0aMZP4/1Euphorbia-cracks_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SR3jbe-xWQs/UxUqHkrjACI/AAAAAAAABUs/T2gb1et0Bxg/s1600-h/1Euphorbia-06a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Euphorbia-06a" border="0" alt="1Euphorbia-06a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dz_LXE2k-QE/UxUqIJy2NEI/AAAAAAAABU0/aim01MAS8IM/1Euphorbia-06a_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LODBeay4evk/UxUqBXu5stI/AAAAAAAABU8/5o8uT3mDEUo/s1600-h/1Euphorbia-02%25255B42%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1Euphorbia-02" border="0" alt="1Euphorbia-02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BKBieAnRw-k/UxUqB1k4WYI/AAAAAAAABVA/7V_gPjfVABk/1Euphorbia-02_thumb%25255B41%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="154"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-84705016093524777132014-02-14T14:15:00.000-05:002014-02-24T23:02:49.992-05:00A little birdie told me so.<div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jPQT14GHGHo/UwwVoZSzoqI/AAAAAAAAAvM/1m83gqZvM1c/s1600-h/Birdie-told-me--opt%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Birdie-told-me--opt" border="0" alt="Birdie-told-me--opt" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZKOq5zgS7iQ/UwwVpDdphZI/AAAAAAAAAvU/ojSl-EbRCCY/Birdie-told-me--opt_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1042" height="444"></a></div> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-63607048542529850392014-02-13T19:36:00.001-05:002014-02-24T23:29:54.314-05:00Snowy Stuff<h4><span style="font-size: medium">Our roof garden has never seen such snow, and more is coming down now. </span></h4> <h4> </h4> <h4> </h4> <h4><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9juA2Py9k7I/UwwU5acdGWI/AAAAAAAAAuc/IydH11QOGRc/s1600-h/Snowy-plants-1-opt%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Snowy-plants-1-opt" border="0" alt="Snowy-plants-1-opt" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RNyTaGqGTsw/UwwU6lwiSuI/AAAAAAAAAuk/9acMWFjGjZk/Snowy-plants-1-opt_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1033" height="406"></a></h4> <h4><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"></h4> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xRxsb9O-VLU/UwwadjQOIUI/AAAAAAAAAvw/Qxf7bGNzrz4/s1600-h/Snowy--structures-opt%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Snowy--structures-opt" border="0" alt="Snowy--structures-opt" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K7tyP1wZcuI/UwwaepYR1KI/AAAAAAAAAv4/PHOVOHOtbJs/Snowy--structures-opt_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1037" height="339"></a></p> <h4><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"></h4> <div style="text-align: center; clear: both" class="separator" align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GVeeu0rnP_4/UwwcPLyb7SI/AAAAAAAAAwk/GIjaPPgufXU/s1600-h/Rooftop-snowy-chairs--opt%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rooftop-snowy-chairs--opt" border="0" alt="Rooftop-snowy-chairs--opt" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-78KeEF83wa0/UwwcQIQjQPI/AAAAAAAAAws/-oU2k0gMW8o/Rooftop-snowy-chairs--opt_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1041" height="336"></a></div> <h4><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"><img src="http://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/10384/screenshots/844424/snowflake.png" width="53" height="40"></h4> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-36083901600078563922014-02-12T02:56:00.001-05:002014-02-24T23:44:28.263-05:00The Power of Transformation<font size="4"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium"><font size="4">It is amazing how a little snowflake or two can transform the mundane into wonderful. </font></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium"><font size="4">Our courtyard view has been fairly dull with the darkness of winter and absence of sunshine.</font> </span></font><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium"><font size="4">The stained glass angel has been hanging in our window for so long that I rarely notice her, but on this snowy day, her serenity grabbed my attention.</font> </span><br><br> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3zzx6zmIaoY/UwwfUYQEDwI/AAAAAAAAAxI/yf88JG72eK8/s1600-h/Snowy-Angel-177kb%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Snowy-Angel-177kb" border="0" alt="Snowy-Angel-177kb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BiOm2iHNr8M/UwwfVUvqdGI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Bc0PMvu5fI0/Snowy-Angel-177kb_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="694" height="619"></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-84043907490523964212014-02-02T12:48:00.000-05:002014-03-18T22:14:54.570-04:00Castor Bean Plant<h4>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fFwXzMwor1s/UycnRT5N4JI/AAAAAAAABOs/CUf1yoCMcHk/s1600-h/Castor-Bean-Collage-193kb%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Castor-Bean-Collage-193kb" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SBTa6SiPAmM/UycnSsbeu1I/AAAAAAAABO0/0V1F4sEuEeI/Castor-Bean-Collage-193kb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="1441" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Castor-Bean-Collage-193kb" width="1100" /></a></h4>
Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-12973140003339495992013-12-22T10:02:00.000-05:002014-02-24T23:55:24.643-05:00Holidays Greetings -- December 2013<h4></h4> <h1><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k8lQIxmESQs/Uwwh10wXyjI/AAAAAAAAAxw/SojpQqlnCAY/s1600-h/2013-Xmas-Card--black-borde%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013-Xmas-Card--black-borde" border="0" alt="2013-Xmas-Card--black-borde" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9xai4_35ZfQ/Uwwh25YFRnI/AAAAAAAAAx4/1i1mqALQ-9k/2013-Xmas-Card--black-borde_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1009" height="540"></a></h1> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large"><b><i>Holiday Greetings and a Joyous New Year!</i></b></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large">As the darkness of winter descends, we reflect inward and share highlights from 2013. Our homeschooling days are coming to an end; Ariela passed the GED test and received an official NYS diploma. For the moment, she is working part time at the trendy clothing store, Urban Outfitters, and learning about fashion, retail, consumer behavior and the working world.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-size: large"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large">Nancy is eagerly awaiting her retirement pension after 13 years of homeschooling!! During this transition time she is breathing deep and looking inside to nurture the seeds that will sprout into the new person she wants to become. She and Ariela continue to study spirituality, healing, and primitive skills at the Tracker School and beyond. She still runs the Coyote Tracks program in Central Park where Ariela has joined the staff as an assistant instructor. Herbal wisdom and deeper connections to the earth drive our family towards sustainable, healthy living that includes home cooked, mostly organic, gluten free foods, juicing and wild foraging.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-size: large"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large">Gary became a senior citizen in April. While figuring out how to file for Medicare, we felt the weight and anxiety that our society carries about what retirement means. In this economy, with health insurance premiums taking up more and more of our income, retirement is not a consideration. So far, the biggest perk of being 65 has been riding the subway for 1/2 price! In October he took his quartet, The Good Pennyworths, to Texas and back singing 17 concerts in 18 days. The music was wonderful and it was a treat to meet appreciative audiences in many parts of our vast country. In the coming years, Garald plans to spend more time sharing the music he loves.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-size: large"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large">This year marked the 12<sup>th</sup> bi-annual campout with our NYCHEA homeschool friends. Besides practicing fire by friction and survival activities, we delved into tanning rabbit hides procured from a local farmer. Ariela reports that she learned… <i><u>courage</u> </i>to face the reality of life and death; <i><u>deeper connection</u></i> to our food sources; <i><u>to challenge herself</u></i> to step out of a comfort zone and further understand where our meat comes from; <i><u>patience</u></i> to see it through and show others how to do it; <i><u>gratefulness</u> </i>to the rabbits for being there and to the farmer for providing them; <i><u>respect</u> </i>for all animals and the gifts they provide; <i><u>acceptance</u></i> of the circle of life--that in order for humans to eat, living things must die; <i><u>awareness</u> </i>that not all animals raised for food are killed with as much respect; and lastly <i><u>appreciation</u></i> for the beauty of their fur. Perhaps most importantly, we learned that no matter how prepared and enthusiastic we were, it is impossible to predict other people’s reactions. It was a deep growing experience for the whole community. We still have a few hides in the freezer if you want to give it shot.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large">And for most of the summer and into the Fall, all of us spent many enjoyable hours planting flowers and relaxing in our rooftop garden here on West 98<sup>th</sup> St. It is a welcome retreat in this fast paced NYC environment. All of the flower photos on our card were taken up there.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large"><i>Be at peace in the coming year!</i></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-size: large"><br></span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large"><i>Gary, Nancy, Ariela & Mary (the cat)</i></span></h4> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-21973376652879661872013-09-15T01:47:00.000-04:002014-02-25T22:37:47.511-05:00Celosia Spicata from Sunnyside<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will probably never know whether or not this Celosia Spicata was growing in the gardens of Sunnyside when Washington Irving wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but I like the thought of having that type of connection. While studying the Hudson River School and Early American Literature we took a field trip up the Hudson and stopped at Sunnyside. It was the end of the season and most of the garden had gone to seed. We collected a few dead heads and this is one of them. It turned out to be fantastic in the summer heat and was one of the last blossoms in October. They lasted for 4-6 weeks until a storm snapped the stalks.</span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
</span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NQSulA7Q5RQ/UuWk2w5WIRI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/25KXNCCflbE/s1600-h/P1030546%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="P1030546" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RlC_F4wKWSk/UuWk3qV-UgI/AAAAAAAAAUY/sWyRsIJV_Ww/P1030546_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1030546" width="285" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-81CJnQlcqjg/UuU-Shv5LmI/AAAAAAAAAUg/Xdt6h1piYaw/s1600-h/P1030069%25255B9%25255D.jpg"> <img alt="P1030069" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TEcHxyd_FIs/UuSvi4ZKsoI/AAAAAAAAAUo/_LyBs7-UeS8/P1030069_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1030069" width="256" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xi3rPOh-o0Y/UuSvjtqunsI/AAAAAAAAAVY/JthxzjGNMNc/s1600-h/P1030543%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1030543" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w1LKjkxfnfI/UuSvjxlXfQI/AAAAAAAAAVg/LtQJXknE_vs/P1030543_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1030543" width="254" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IWCmX1Ekslg/UuSvkaP8TzI/AAAAAAAAAVo/jpU4Aonsz80/s1600-h/P1030073%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1030073" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YKUmFq9VGmM/UuSvk2QNBkI/AAAAAAAAAVw/mw-9irEdOTA/P1030073_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="400" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 30px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1030073" width="260" /></a> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-57203546527308294472013-09-02T16:07:00.000-04:002014-02-25T15:13:40.873-05:00Sunset Mallow a.k.a. Abelmoschus manihot<h4><font size="4"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3eEod6unOcQ/Uwzk9ZYnRqI/AAAAAAAAA4g/nTn_kMV9orI/s1600-h/Mallow-Pod-118kb%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 23px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mallow-Pod-118kb" border="0" alt="Mallow-Pod-118kb" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UKPIrzConoM/Uwzk95jlFMI/AAAAAAAAA4o/k29TDDwvT4M/Mallow-Pod-118kb_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="270"></a>Some herbalists and Native American healers <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cGo5J4SLXWw/Uwzk-o_YUBI/AAAAAAAAA3I/O9TlMz6-7Zc/s1600-h/Mallow-pod-seeds-118kb%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mallow-pod-seeds-118kb" border="0" alt="Mallow-pod-seeds-118kb" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW98k1wOviE/Uwzk_ABE3-I/AAAAAAAAA3M/_Nl8prkhxFU/Mallow-pod-seeds-118kb_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="231"></a></font></h4> <h4><font size="4">say that </font><font size="4">plants <font size="4">will show up </font></font><font size="4">in your garden or property for a reason. </font><font size="4">They come to find you when you need them. So there I was walking in the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park when I found these interesting-looking seed pods in a pile of brush. I took a few home to plant. They grew vigorously and by August were up to 9 feet tall. Although they looked like a hibiscus, I didn’t know what they were so posted photos online and discovered the name, Abelmoschus manihot. It turns out that this plant is widely used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and relates directly to my own health issues. WOW, they were meant for me! They were initially classified in the hibiscus family, but are now considered in the Malva family. The blossoms reach up to 10” across, and bloom only for one day. They catch the light beautifully and remind me that each day is filled with it’s own excitement. </font></h4> <h4><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5K4MohgCJF0/Uwz4BG-I2FI/AAAAAAAAA4w/WJ3kUCmYcV8/s1600-h/Mallow-collage%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mallow-collage" border="0" alt="Mallow-collage" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PwiBgL7xR9o/Uwz4B24lgvI/AAAAAAAAA44/73qVCVi8UKE/Mallow-collage_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1140" height="191"></a></h4> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-60713667687990053582013-07-28T01:06:00.000-04:002014-03-04T08:38:18.324-05:00Sunny Sunflowers<h4>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-10eJU9oebRc/UwwkVp9G6qI/AAAAAAAAAyk/5Cjnt2E2KIs/s1600-h/2013-Sunflowers-water-tower%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="2013-Sunflowers-water-tower" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9FQpGsoHb4U/UwwkW0ImOZI/AAAAAAAAAys/EnjSt9dFAnw/2013-Sunflowers-water-tower_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="372" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013-Sunflowers-water-tower" width="559" /></a></h4>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">WOW the sunflowers were just amazing this year. They are such reliable, quick growers it is nice to watch their progress daily. This year they grew to 15 feet tall. I had two varieties – one was Mexican, and the other was something sunny. They looked stunning against the dark metal wall of the stairwell. And the blossoms lasted for several days and attracted a lot of bees. </span></span></b><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qomZj7KdGAQ/UuX3EEamchI/AAAAAAAAAgo/KwDn1IJRR5A/s1600-h/2013%252520Sunflowers%25252007%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></h4>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uTcVR8xe1ug/UwwkXrHhPhI/AAAAAAAAAy0/K13mb3XYBgg/s1600-h/Sunny-Sunflowers-Banner-opt%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunny-Sunflowers-Banner-opt" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VSYtIx0jbgI/UwwkYNnVD0I/AAAAAAAAAy8/FBfbEgr38ys/Sunny-Sunflowers-Banner-opt_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="238" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sunny-Sunflowers-Banner-opt" width="1127" /></a>Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-55801513010717173792013-07-15T00:42:00.000-04:002014-02-25T00:18:58.714-05:00The Reliable Rose of Sharon<font size="4"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #20124d"><b><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <h4><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zVs-juuTlsg/UwwnJaQTGeI/AAAAAAAAAzo/cBAG_8dzjqI/s1600-h/Reliable-Rose-of-Sharon-155%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Reliable-Rose-of-Sharon-155" border="0" alt="Reliable-Rose-of-Sharon-155" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R4XkVAsbc3Y/UwwnKXoj_9I/AAAAAAAAAzw/7fpP7rOpmZ4/Reliable-Rose-of-Sharon-155_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="398"></a></h4> <h4><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #20124d"><b><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font color="#8064a2" size="4"></font></span></b></span></span> </h4> <h4><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #20124d"><b><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font color="#8064a2" size="4"><font size="5">The Rose of Sharon is like a reliable and steady friend blooming throughout most of the summer and into the fall. Although the flowers only last a day, they are a constant source of color and beauty. These medium sized shrubs do well in containers and bloom when the garden is used the most - mid-summer. This makes them a great choice for the rooftop.</font> </font></span></b></span></span><font size="1"></h4></font> <h4><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #20124d"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="3"><em></em></font></span></span></span> </h4> <h4><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #20124d"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="3"><em><font color="#8064a2">I started using the blossoms as a point of focus during my morning Tai Chi exercise and noticed that bees get drunk on the pollen and fall down inside. What a way to start the day, drunk on flower nectar.</font></em><strong> </strong></font></span></span></span></h4><br></span></b></span></span></font> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ma-9uB5qyws/UvvCnvvatVI/AAAAAAAAAns/0epoSfhvP_g/s1600-h/Reliable%252520Rose%252520of%252520Sharon%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"></font></a></p> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-59934959500601171572013-07-05T11:06:00.000-04:002014-02-28T16:56:48.936-05:00Early Summer 2013<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #400040;">It’s always so exiting to come up to the roof in the Spring and see what survived and what needs to be replaced. The winter wasn’t too harsh and most things survived. We lost our tall grasses, an echinacea, and some coreopsis.<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #8064a2;"><span style="color: #400040;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #400040; font-size: medium;"><b>Some of the perennials are three years old now and coming into their own. The Honeysuckle still doesn't grow like it does down on the High Line, but we had some lovely blooms early in the season. The Wisteria bloomed for the first time this year, which was awesome! We have had it for three years now. They say that a vine has to be 7 years old or more before it will bloom, so I am glad that we got blossoms after three. In the mid-summer the leaves were looking wilted and shriveled on the edges. This turned out to be a virus they can get from aphids. According to the internet, we could lose the whole plant. So I cut back all the branches that looked infected and it grew forth quite vigorously. I am sometimes impatient with both of these vines. I envision them twining around the water tower blooming profusely throughout the summer, but so far, they don’t grow that much in one season. Despite the fact that I see honeysuckle growing along train tracks in harsh conditions, mine succumbs to the heat of the roof and powdery mildew by mid-July and I spend a lot of time tending the diseased areas. I still love them both and hope they survive this winter.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><img align="left" alt="Wisteria first bloom-3 yrs old" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNgSLcqyejY/Uvs0WiQw9zI/AAAAAAAAAlk/htVK25oKakU/Wisteria%252520first%252520bloom-3%252520yrs%252520old%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="581" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wisteria first bloom-3 yrs old" width="388" /> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0_AheDJvzI8/UuaEBZguhHI/AAAAAAAAAls/lWNxVhRmNbI/s1600-h/2013%252520Honeysuckle%2525203.jpg"><img align="right" alt="2013 Honeysuckle 3" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fDlLuzZI6Eg/UuaECixKKUI/AAAAAAAAAl0/jizuvc1pQKc/2013%252520Honeysuckle%2525203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="492" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2013 Honeysuckle 3" width="667" /></a> Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4207030025291741256.post-47506847801025741982013-07-01T00:56:00.000-04:002014-02-28T16:56:07.395-05:00Who we are.<span style="font-size: medium;">Our Co-op building has been creating a rooftop garden for the past 4 years. We are located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in a 10-story, 100 year old pre-war building. This garden has become a tranquil respite from the crazy pace of New York City, and has created a peaceful sense of community for all who use it. It has been a labor of love for those of us who make it happen. You’d be surprised how difficult it is to find dirt on the Upper West Side, not to mention large planters and garden hoses. But the effort becomes worthwhile during those balmy summer evenings when the sunset clouds are reflecting off the skyscrapers and you can lean back and feel a breeze off the river while catching a few stars in Orion's belt.</span>Ndantoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03239476219949251127noreply@blogger.com0