I've been doing some word of mouth advertising for my gardening class in the spring, trying to get the interest up, and so far I probably have about 5 out of 70 possible definite attendees. And then it hit me...
Why talk about doing this when we can actually set up a rooftop garden at work!? We're a non-profit org, and one of the divisions is responsible for community assistance, why not set up an employee run garden and donate the produce to our food banks? I have been lamenting the fact that downtown Syracuse is full of flat roofed skyscrapers but no one has done anything about it, why not set one up on our "lowscraper" and get some media attention on this.
I don't know how our building and grounds and risk management dept might react, but this just seems too perfect an idea.
A few things impede me at this point.
1.) I have never organized anything...not just anything like this, but anything...period.
2.) I hardly consider myself an expert gardener, am I really the one to lead this?
3.) I have no experience with rooftop gardening. What problems do pigeons present? We have an abundance of them.
And in other news, my wife brought up the idea of splitting a CSA share while we were having dinner with friends. Totally unprompted, out of the blue. Wow. She does that sometimes. She rolls her eyes and smirks then shakes her head when I bring up turning under the entire front lawn, but then out of the blue comes up with things like the greenhouse...er sunroom, and now this!? She is crunchy, she just keeps a lid on it. muahahaha.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Keep that old computer running...
Most of use in the western world have come to treat the personal computer as something that we keep around for a few years before it becomes obsolete, then we HAVE to get a new one. I ran a seminar yesterday at work to educate some of the retired members of our organization get up to speed with an email system our company is implementing. Yes, the retired members get email, in fact its mandatory, but before you reach for an application to sign up for the free email when you retire, I feel it fair to warn you, they're priests. Not that I wouldn't still encourage people to enter the seminary, but I believe in transparency in hiring.
Anywho, back to the original purpose...or rather the anecdote that leads to the moral of the story. I sat with a stereotypical "little old man" for some time going over the purest basics of use on the brand new laptop he had bought. Why is it that a man who is only ever going to open his mail needs to spend what was likely over a grand for a laptop because the bloated operating system requires such an inane amount of hardware horsepower? Having been a MS Windows user for years we just kind of took it as a fact of life that windows will get slower each week until you have to reinstall it or buy a new machine because the newest version wont run on the PC you have. And why is it that MS charges 150-300 just to get the software that most businesses require as a part of operation (MS Office)?
Are they the only game in town? No, as many Mac users will tell you. Unfortunately as nice as Mac computers are, everything seems to be twice as expensive. Apparently stability and ease of use come at a premium. Why? There are legions of geeks (speaking as one) on this planet, can't anyone come up with an alternative?
Some of you probably already are guessing where I am going...Linux. Linux is a community developed operating system that can be installed on just about any computer. (so long as you have the right installer). The idea hold immense appeal to me, community developed and supported...c'mon how crunchy is that!? I have made several attempts to implement it over the years to varying degrees of success, but I think I finally hit the mark this time. My wife brought home an old computer from her school that they were going to get rid of. A 1.1ghz celeron with "only" 256m of ram. The tag on the side said designed for windows 98 if thats any hint about the age of this. I downloaded a disk image from the Ubuntu site, popped it in the drive and in about an hour with minimal intervention on my part, this old machine is up and running WITHOUT a single issue or spending a single cent. It comes with everything most people need (web browser, email client, word processor, spreadsheet, graphics editor) and they all can use Microsoft file formats interchangeably. I installed flash so youtube will run (have to be able to watch "Homegrown Revolution") And Dansguardian to make sure the kids don't wander where they shouldn't online.
I will admit I have more than twenty years behind a keyboard, but little to any of that experience was needed to get this up and running, in fact if you put two people in front of a windows and a Ubuntu machine, I would wager the Ubuntu user would find the learning curve much shorter. The menus are clear and easy to understand.
I rarely get this excited about technology anymore, the iphone was a big meh as far as I am concerned, but I think this is definitely something people should test drive, and thanks to the fact that the cd image you download can be booted and allow you to demo the system without installing anything, there really is no harm in trying it.
Its secure, community focused, stable and free. Isn't that the goal?
So in the end we prevented another computer from going in the landfill, and got a computer out of it that will be more than adequate for our daughter to write her stories on and play webkinz.
And by the way, I am posting this message from that computer.
Anywho, back to the original purpose...or rather the anecdote that leads to the moral of the story. I sat with a stereotypical "little old man" for some time going over the purest basics of use on the brand new laptop he had bought. Why is it that a man who is only ever going to open his mail needs to spend what was likely over a grand for a laptop because the bloated operating system requires such an inane amount of hardware horsepower? Having been a MS Windows user for years we just kind of took it as a fact of life that windows will get slower each week until you have to reinstall it or buy a new machine because the newest version wont run on the PC you have. And why is it that MS charges 150-300 just to get the software that most businesses require as a part of operation (MS Office)?
Are they the only game in town? No, as many Mac users will tell you. Unfortunately as nice as Mac computers are, everything seems to be twice as expensive. Apparently stability and ease of use come at a premium. Why? There are legions of geeks (speaking as one) on this planet, can't anyone come up with an alternative?
Some of you probably already are guessing where I am going...Linux. Linux is a community developed operating system that can be installed on just about any computer. (so long as you have the right installer). The idea hold immense appeal to me, community developed and supported...c'mon how crunchy is that!? I have made several attempts to implement it over the years to varying degrees of success, but I think I finally hit the mark this time. My wife brought home an old computer from her school that they were going to get rid of. A 1.1ghz celeron with "only" 256m of ram. The tag on the side said designed for windows 98 if thats any hint about the age of this. I downloaded a disk image from the Ubuntu site, popped it in the drive and in about an hour with minimal intervention on my part, this old machine is up and running WITHOUT a single issue or spending a single cent. It comes with everything most people need (web browser, email client, word processor, spreadsheet, graphics editor) and they all can use Microsoft file formats interchangeably. I installed flash so youtube will run (have to be able to watch "Homegrown Revolution") And Dansguardian to make sure the kids don't wander where they shouldn't online.
I will admit I have more than twenty years behind a keyboard, but little to any of that experience was needed to get this up and running, in fact if you put two people in front of a windows and a Ubuntu machine, I would wager the Ubuntu user would find the learning curve much shorter. The menus are clear and easy to understand.
I rarely get this excited about technology anymore, the iphone was a big meh as far as I am concerned, but I think this is definitely something people should test drive, and thanks to the fact that the cd image you download can be booted and allow you to demo the system without installing anything, there really is no harm in trying it.
Its secure, community focused, stable and free. Isn't that the goal?
So in the end we prevented another computer from going in the landfill, and got a computer out of it that will be more than adequate for our daughter to write her stories on and play webkinz.
And by the way, I am posting this message from that computer.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What comes in pots and makes delicious fruit?
Trees of course...or at least the ones I am looking at. As the sunroom project moves forward with permits and more paperwork my thoughts increasingly turn to, or rather obsess upon the trees I want to fill it with.
I'm rather surprised at how close our overall result is beginning to resemble the plan. Usually things change drastically between the theory and the practice.
But back to the matter at hand, I would like to put 3 across the front (south wall) and one in the east, (left window in the picture).
So that makes a total of 4, but 4 what and from where. Well my search for a local citrus source (or at least in the Northeast) has been fruitless(sorry I couldn't resist). Four Winds Nursery seems like a good shop, anyone have experience to share with them? I tried a couple of the other suggestions that I got, but variety was not what I was looking for.
I'm rather surprised at how close our overall result is beginning to resemble the plan. Usually things change drastically between the theory and the practice.
But back to the matter at hand, I would like to put 3 across the front (south wall) and one in the east, (left window in the picture).
So that makes a total of 4, but 4 what and from where. Well my search for a local citrus source (or at least in the Northeast) has been fruitless(sorry I couldn't resist). Four Winds Nursery seems like a good shop, anyone have experience to share with them? I tried a couple of the other suggestions that I got, but variety was not what I was looking for.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Me? A teacher?
I know I mentioned it in passing but I have been tapped to lead a class/discussion on gardening this spring at "the office." It not my first time teaching (actually I've been teaching as long as I have been gardening, but this is my first time teaching gardening) but I admit a good deal of trepidation. First, I wonder if I really have enough experience (only 5 years) to lead this kind of discussion, and second I am having difficulty putting together a curriculum. Actually its more like I have difficulty making the curriculum more concise. I handed a 3 page outline to my wife who said there was no way I could get through it in one hour and have the audience not feel like they just got off the tilt-a-whirl.
I want to focus on teaching the biointensive method, or a simplified iteration of it. The view from 5,000 feet will focus on intensive spacing, double dug beds (the first year at least), compost as the cure for what ails the soil, and the use of beneficials for pest management.
My problem (as the regular readers might guess) is that I am quite verbose. How do I condense the info? What dear friends do you think I should make the main points of discussion? I'll wait for a few answers to roll in before I post the gargantuan outline I have. I'd like to see what your first reaction to priorities is.
I want to focus on teaching the biointensive method, or a simplified iteration of it. The view from 5,000 feet will focus on intensive spacing, double dug beds (the first year at least), compost as the cure for what ails the soil, and the use of beneficials for pest management.
My problem (as the regular readers might guess) is that I am quite verbose. How do I condense the info? What dear friends do you think I should make the main points of discussion? I'll wait for a few answers to roll in before I post the gargantuan outline I have. I'd like to see what your first reaction to priorities is.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Full Circle
Well we're back to where we started on this one: windowsills. The first winter resident moves in. Hyssop...or soapwort, they both have the same leaf shape and until it gets biggerI won't be able to tell if it has an upright habit (hyssop) or prostrate (soapwort) I really should label when I start two similar looking plants shouldn't I. I've got some more st. johns wort, feverfew, and I forget what else that can come to work. Starting perennials in winter worked fantastically well for me last year, I believe I had a close to 100% survival rate in the ground. No waiting for them to catch up to the weeds. As soon as the soil was decent, they were in and already dominating the scene.
As much as I love vegetable gardening (and I still say landscaping with your stomach is the way to go) There is something intrinsically beautiful and mysterious about setting up a miniature ecosystem of sorts that renews itself each year without human intervention. Odd how that as winter comes and producing food becomes impossible (this year at least) My thoughts tend to drift on the elements of my grand plan which have little to do with eating. I still have plenty of space to fill in the "sanctuary"and I dream of the day when I will have to do for the rest of the flora what I did for the sage this year...that is trim and tie and otherwise make room for its neighbors.
This may be entirely too crunchy for the room but there is a certain visceral joy after spending 8 hours under florescent lights that one gets with just a few moments in nature or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Be it the smell of the creeping thyme and lavender, or the occasional nibble of basil or lemon balm. I will miss that during the winter, but spending time improving the experience will make it worthwhile.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Still growing
Well I have largely neglected the garden in my recent weeks but I am happy to say that while things have slowed, they have not stopped. Falling leaves have largely laid a mulch that keeps everything but the plants that had a head start down. Despite a couple mild freezes, the peas are doing well, and 2 of the four broccoli appear to be thriving. I've even got a couple beets going.
I threw a couple wheelbarrow loads of compost on the north bed (that held the early crops, squash and failed corn.) and when I pulled up the stubby corn stalks I realized that they had in fact produced ears, pathetic (an unpollinated) as they were.
In other news, we are officially signing with the contractor to do the Greenhouse...er I mean sunroom...really I mean sunroom, why would I say greenhouse...tonight. We discussed potential furniture and layout for it. From the looks of things We will be putting 3-4 trees (depending on the length of whatever wicker loveseat goes in). a 6 foot and 5 foot shelf at window level for seed trays, and given that they sit at 30 inches, enough room to hang 1 or two shelves below that assuming I put lights on them. Not to mention that the wall which is the current outside wall of the house will be wide open for things like hanging baskets.
Really I meant to say sunroom...
Oh by the way, I got my shipment of wild ginger and ginseng roots from Garden Medicinals (3 each) And put them in the ground by the pawpaw trees. All three species require shade (the pawpaw during its early years) and behind the bench was a perfect spot. All three have the same native range of areas which touch the Appalachian mtns. IF these take off next spring (and I'm sure they will) they will be joined by black cohosh. I had a great deal of trouble getting cohosh seed to germinate, so I'm going with rhizomes. While not technically a guild I suppose, I am very optimistic that the area will do well. The soil in that area seems quite like a forest floor, and the combination of sun and shade angles provided by the fence and bench appear to be the perfect environment to allow just a trickle of light to the shade lovers and give full sun exposure to the sunbathers. Flanking this group to the west side in full sun in a rather large stand of purple coneflower (echinacea). While I know little of the use of the plants I have put down in this spot (other than eating ginger and pawpaw outright) It would be nice to know that should I have the time to learn how, its there if I want it. I'll be watching this area in coming years for different bugs and birds, I'm hoping that as the diversity of plants goes up in the area, animal diversity will follow. Like I said, I've been feeling optimistic as of late for some reason.
I threw a couple wheelbarrow loads of compost on the north bed (that held the early crops, squash and failed corn.) and when I pulled up the stubby corn stalks I realized that they had in fact produced ears, pathetic (an unpollinated) as they were.
In other news, we are officially signing with the contractor to do the Greenhouse...er I mean sunroom...really I mean sunroom, why would I say greenhouse...tonight. We discussed potential furniture and layout for it. From the looks of things We will be putting 3-4 trees (depending on the length of whatever wicker loveseat goes in). a 6 foot and 5 foot shelf at window level for seed trays, and given that they sit at 30 inches, enough room to hang 1 or two shelves below that assuming I put lights on them. Not to mention that the wall which is the current outside wall of the house will be wide open for things like hanging baskets.
Really I meant to say sunroom...
Oh by the way, I got my shipment of wild ginger and ginseng roots from Garden Medicinals (3 each) And put them in the ground by the pawpaw trees. All three species require shade (the pawpaw during its early years) and behind the bench was a perfect spot. All three have the same native range of areas which touch the Appalachian mtns. IF these take off next spring (and I'm sure they will) they will be joined by black cohosh. I had a great deal of trouble getting cohosh seed to germinate, so I'm going with rhizomes. While not technically a guild I suppose, I am very optimistic that the area will do well. The soil in that area seems quite like a forest floor, and the combination of sun and shade angles provided by the fence and bench appear to be the perfect environment to allow just a trickle of light to the shade lovers and give full sun exposure to the sunbathers. Flanking this group to the west side in full sun in a rather large stand of purple coneflower (echinacea). While I know little of the use of the plants I have put down in this spot (other than eating ginger and pawpaw outright) It would be nice to know that should I have the time to learn how, its there if I want it. I'll be watching this area in coming years for different bugs and birds, I'm hoping that as the diversity of plants goes up in the area, animal diversity will follow. Like I said, I've been feeling optimistic as of late for some reason.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Looks like its a go
The sunroom, that is.
Two nights ago we had a visit from a representative of a local installer. Previously I had thought I could tackle this one on my own. I am thankful now I will not be doing that. There are a lot of factors involved in the construction both from a technical side to the administrative (incl. permits codes etc.) It appears the materials used would be far superior from what I thought I could get away with. Steel upright posts that don't require the glass sections to function as structural elements. In other words, the frame wont require the skin to stand firm. Having seen pictures in the portfolio of hailstorms and fallen trees that have wrecked the house but left the sunroom intact I am confident in the quality. We are also getting a guarantee on the whole thing that I could never provide. The glazing is superior to what I could obtain and should provide excellent thermal insulation given the large areas of glass. I was pleased to hear the "surveyor" was well versed in many of the factors I am concerned with given its intended role. He agreed that the location for it on the house was perfect, providing maxim southern exposure, a position far enough forward to avoid shadowing from our neighbor to the east, and garage to the west. And exposed east and west ends to allow ample cross ventilation. In short, he was speaking my language and it was a relief to find that maybe what I am after isn't so way out in left field afterall. In fact the surveyor had a fistfull of lime trees in his own sunroom (and apparently a fan of martinis.)
There will be some elements that my brother in law and I will be doing ourselves to save some money, like pulling up the hedges, cutting and installing the doorway and electrical connections, but it will be nice to let someone else have to do the worrisome parts for a change. And this is a local company so its nice to know the money stays here.
So while my wife is thinking about furniture to go in the 8x11 space, I am back to thinking about trees.
Meyer Lemon, Kaffir Lime, and Blood oranges. The question is from where. None of the nurseries around here have any citrus. Suggestions?
Two nights ago we had a visit from a representative of a local installer. Previously I had thought I could tackle this one on my own. I am thankful now I will not be doing that. There are a lot of factors involved in the construction both from a technical side to the administrative (incl. permits codes etc.) It appears the materials used would be far superior from what I thought I could get away with. Steel upright posts that don't require the glass sections to function as structural elements. In other words, the frame wont require the skin to stand firm. Having seen pictures in the portfolio of hailstorms and fallen trees that have wrecked the house but left the sunroom intact I am confident in the quality. We are also getting a guarantee on the whole thing that I could never provide. The glazing is superior to what I could obtain and should provide excellent thermal insulation given the large areas of glass. I was pleased to hear the "surveyor" was well versed in many of the factors I am concerned with given its intended role. He agreed that the location for it on the house was perfect, providing maxim southern exposure, a position far enough forward to avoid shadowing from our neighbor to the east, and garage to the west. And exposed east and west ends to allow ample cross ventilation. In short, he was speaking my language and it was a relief to find that maybe what I am after isn't so way out in left field afterall. In fact the surveyor had a fistfull of lime trees in his own sunroom (and apparently a fan of martinis.)
There will be some elements that my brother in law and I will be doing ourselves to save some money, like pulling up the hedges, cutting and installing the doorway and electrical connections, but it will be nice to let someone else have to do the worrisome parts for a change. And this is a local company so its nice to know the money stays here.
So while my wife is thinking about furniture to go in the 8x11 space, I am back to thinking about trees.
Meyer Lemon, Kaffir Lime, and Blood oranges. The question is from where. None of the nurseries around here have any citrus. Suggestions?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hope Springs Eternal
I spent the evening sobbing. It was late and both the kids were asleep. When the projected winner was announced my wife and I were ecstatic. It didn't sink in until Eugene Robinson said that he could finally look into his children's eyes and say without hesitation that they can achieve anything they want. Eugene Robinson of course speaking as an African American. In case you hadn't figured it out yet, I along with my wife are white. Our children are not. By and large when we first introduced them to our families there was nothing but love and acceptance. But there was always an elephant in the room, the fear that only a few honest souls spoke that these children might never truly feel culturally integrated. Given to doubt as I am, the fear that our kids might fall into the more repugnant elements of either culture occasionally crosses my mind. After last night I wonder if I should stop worrying about how they will fit into the world and start teaching them to change the world.
And with the horrific news and doom and gloom that floods our airwaves every day I was beginning to wonder if I have the strength to maintain optimism and a solution oriented approach to life, I honestly wondered if I could go on with the same zeal I had when I started this journey.
I have my answer
Yes I can.
And with the horrific news and doom and gloom that floods our airwaves every day I was beginning to wonder if I have the strength to maintain optimism and a solution oriented approach to life, I honestly wondered if I could go on with the same zeal I had when I started this journey.
I have my answer
Yes I can.
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