mattplantguy's Profile

Emma,

Thanks for the great recommendation - will be sure to check out the podcasts!

MaryWynn,

I'm also guilty of Facebook bragging! And admit I should also follow Lisa's lead and use Facebook, etc; to get advice.

I think it's great that your community garden sent around images to diagnose a problem, I love hearing stories of technology helping grassroots endeavors thrive.

We'll have to explore more about garden journals in the coming weeks!

One quick note about Jasmine and Gardenia and being safe for cats:

Although Jasmine is on the 'safe list' for pets it should be noted that it means anything in the 'Jasminum' family.

Gardenia jasminoides is often called 'Cape Jasmine' even though it is a Gardenia - and therefore not safe for cats. So don't let the common plant names fool you!

I haven't had the good fortune to see his other projects - only through the amazing photographers' work on the various websites and in his books. But The High Line is wonderful to see all year round (yes, even in winter!). It feels very much at home as a part of the city and enhancing the 'city experience'. I think it should be on every visitor's must-see list.

Agaves are one of my favorite plants, they have such a strong shape and structure, and as the leaves slowly unfurl they often leave their imprint behind on the ones still curled up in the center. Very few are hardy enough for the NYC environment, so usually I have to enjoy them in the conservatories or as an indulgent annual in someone's planter.

What I'd love to know is if the fire resistant nature of the plants comes from high water content stored in the plant, or are there many factors that can help a plant resist fire?

cherryhouse - tea olives are great! I've been told that if you dry the blossoms you can use them to fragrance black tea. I've always wanted to try that...

I think this is a great way for people to try gardening if they have not done it before, especially to get used to the timeline in which plants grow. And a great way to see what would grow well in an individual space. I also like the idea of them owning the equipment and then taking it all back at the end of the season, makes a lot of sense. I don't think there is anything quite like this in NYC - yet!

That's funny! You know, djheather1979, I quickly checked the Guy Wolff website to see if he might have something since he is so stylish with the pots. And even though he doesn't carry one if you look closely at the background picture on his website there is one in the garden that is depicted. It drove me nuts that he would have one there peeking out at me in the background, but not a word of one offered on his site!

Good luck in finding one stateside, maybe this would be a good reason to take a continuing ed. pottery class :)

Thanks for the input everyone, especially about the soil scoop and the gloves. I would love to hear a recommendation on gloves if anyone has a favorite. There are many companies out there, and seems like everyone has their preference.

I like the serrated edge on the soil scoop you recommended, JBirdHome. And after scooping out soil from a pot using a trowel I definitely agree with needing something that can scoop more!

About those succulents getting leggy. Could be a number of things, but may just be a factor of the sun and the heat radiating off your deck and planters. They could just be getting cooked as they grow out from the body of the plant, where the temp. may be a bit more regulated. I actually have to take out some Creeping Jenny and some Hakonechloa grass because they are not geeting the type of temp. reg. they like. Some clustering helped, but not a lot. And now looks like my strawberries are stressed from these record high temps. Rooftop gardening takes some WORK!