Earth From Above

"Earth From Above" is the result of the French aerial photographer, journalist, reporter, and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand's five-year airborne odyssey across six continents. 
It's a spectacular presentation of large scale photographs of astonishing natural landscapes, 
a project that consists of more than 500,000 photographs taken in over 100 countries. 
Every stunning aerial photograph tells a story about our changing planet. 

To see more, Yann Arthus-Bertand.org.
 

Suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark

Coal mine in South Africa

Boats stranded on the dry Aral Sea, Kazakhstan

Switzerland

Freeways in Los Angeles, CA, USA

The Changping District in Beijing, China

Military cemetery in Verdun, France

Cattle near the Masai Mara National Park, Kenya

Sew Many Ways to Draw a Tree

Created while discovering new ways to draw. Can't wait to use this application for a
Landscape Elevation. Issac Singer would be proud.

Love Rocks

While sitting on the shore of a tidal beach in Maine, a place I have frequented since young,
I discovered for the first time that the beach was covered in jagged rocks and looked like
the pages of a thousand novels had been scraped and scattered at the water's edge. 

I suddenly saw a million stories scattered around me. Here is a very short tale that I found 

about friendship set on fire...

 

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - quotes"Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - quotes"Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - q

"Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - quotes

"Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - quotes"Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb

Source : "Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" – Swedish Proverb | Hope quotes | Dictionary of Quotes - quotes

What's Happening in the Garden Today?

Pyracantha 'Mohave' - Mohave Firethorn

Mahonia bealei - Leatherleaf Mahonia

Lagerstroemia x 'Osage' - Clear Pink Crape Myrtle

Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata' - Upright Japanese Plum Yew

Gotta Get It Garden Gear - Wearable Garden Stool

The Ultimate Strap-On!  Manufactured in Europe, this handy stool was originally designed for milking cows. Researchers bent on finding a more efficient way to harvest crops, introduced the stool to small scale farmers and found it produced happier, healthier, and more productive workers. Fewer back aches and knee pain from picking, planting, and pruning would make one a more enthusiastic gardener.

The Wearable Garden Stool straps onto your butt and is adjustable to let you pop a squat at every stop. Weighing only four pounds it even stays put while you walk. Not a contraption for the fashion conscious.  On sale now at Clean Air Gardening.

A Kwanzan in Winter

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry, Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'

 

One of my all time favorite trees, the Kwanzan Cherry was named after a mountain in Japan and is native to China, Japan, and Korea. The upright, spreading form can reach 15 to 25 feet tall and is quite beautiful with attractive, double, pink flowers. Kwanzan Cherry has new growth that is bronze colored, turning yellow, orange, or copper in the fall, does not bear fruit, prefers full sun, is intolerant of poor drainage, and is easily transplanted. An annual festival at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. commemorates the annual bloom of this species along with Yoshino Cherry, Prunus × yedoensis.

Known for its thin branches that are not inherently strong, bark can easily split and crack. Branches fall frequently in winter due to high winds and cold weather. Therefore, proper pruning must take place during tree development. The tree branches must be evenly spaced to produce a stronger framework for support in less desirable conditions.

A Little Woodland Wonder

A little woodland wonder for the cold winter months, we've created glass-enclosed
moments in time that are meant for daydreaming and contemplating the universe. 

Who are these people and what is their story?

Complete with gravel, sand, activated charcoal (to act as a filter), sphagnum moss, potting soil, fresh Oregon moss, stones and/or glass beads, and a cast of characters. Oregon moss is the lowest maintenance moss for the terrarium environment. Thick and hardy, deep green, and oh so forgiving. Perfect for people without a green thumb. Just keep in low light and use a spray bottle filled with water to mist every few days to keep all the inhabitants green and happy.

For more information and to place a custom order with your choice of theme,
email info@TerraBellaNY.com. Give one as a gift and keep one for yourself.
Approximately 5.5"h x 4.75"w. Complete with instructions for care.

The Blue Dot

YouTube user Damewse created a marketing campaign for NASA after feeling frustrated with the space agency's lack of ability to draw the public's attention to its incredible missions.

     "NASA is the most fascinating, adventurous, epic institution ever devised by human beings, and their media sucks. Seriously. None of their brilliant scientists appear to know how to connect with the social media crowd, which is now more important than ever. In fact, NASA is an institution whose funding directly depends on how the public views them."
     "In all of their brilliance, NASA seems to have forgotten to share their hopes and dreams in a way the public can relate to, leaving one of humanities grandest projects with terrible PR and massive funding cuts."

See for yourself the video he created for NASA (originally created by Michael Marantz). It is narrated perfectly using an old recording by the quintessential Carl Sagan. Michael Marantz also composed the music. As Carl Sagan says in the video, "For all our failings, despite our limitations and fallibilities, we humans are capable of greatness." Beautious and wonderful.

Thought for the Day

Be like the sun and meadow, which are not in the least concerned about the coming winter.

- George Bernard Shaw

What's Happening in the Garden Today

The last harvest of Bright Lights Swiss Chard
can only mean that winter is in the wings.

Every Man a Rembrandt

Found this completed paint-by-number masterpiece for $1 at a flea market this summer.
I fell in love with the color palette and the kitchy take on a country landscape.

Extremely popular in the 1950s, paint-by-number became a symbol of mechanical performance and mass culture. For critics, the paint-by-number phenomenon provided ample evidence of the mindless conformity gripping national life and culture.

"I don't know what America is coming to," one writer complained to American Artist,
"when thousands of people, many of them adults, are willing to be regimented into brushing paint on a jig-saw miscellany of dictated shapes and all by rote. Can't you rescue some of these souls, or should I say morons?"

So what, I say. Surround yourself with things you love, even if no one else does.

A Tannenbaum Fun Fact

Shelf Tree by Frank Visser of IJM

The Scottish botanist David Douglas, after whom
the Douglas Fir is named, died in extraordinary and terrifying circumstances.

In 1832, upon his return from the northwestern United States, his ship docked in Hawaii to replenish supplies. Douglas seized this opportunity to explore the mountains in search of new species. Tragically, he fell into a pit dug to capture ferocious wild cattle that roamed the hills. One such beast was already in the pit that he fell into and Douglas was powerless to prevent it from trampling and goring him to death. His remains were discovered by a search party a few days later.

Speculation continues to this day about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

String Gardens

It's a bit disconcerting to see a plant that isn't grounded but these ethereal living sculptures are so cool they seem to take flight. Created by Amsterdam based Fedor, this installation project is comprised of hanging gardens made from twine wrapped around a root ball or bulb. The idea is based on a Japanese botanical style called kokedama. For more celestial beauty visit the String Gardens website.

Gardens to See Before You Die

View looking west from the High Line in Manhattan.

A must see attraction that's relatively new to New York City, the framework for the High Line was built in the 1930's as an elevated rail line. Abandoned from use since the 1880s, the structure was threatened with demolition in 1999 which prompted a concerned community group to successfully preserve it. After more than two years of construction, the park opened to the public in 2009.

The inspired landscape, which incorporates the original rails, was designed by James Corner Field Operations with plant design by the esteemed Piet Oudolf. The landscape design emphasizes native species with an impressive plant list that is in continuous bloom from late January to mid-November.

Try to avoid visiting on beautiful weekend days... it's packed. Great people watching but it's harder to see the park and it's unique beauty. The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street between 10th & 11th Avenues.

What's Happening On Site?

Before and after photos of some recently planted pots. Client requested new designs for 6+ large outdoor containers in three locations for a fall party. At this time of year, plant choices are slim to none at the nurseries so an extra jolt of creativity is in order. We wanted the designs to transition well through the holiday season. Client loved them.

1) Green Spire Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus) for height, sedge (Carex morrowii), and icicle pansies for the larger pots. Standing as sentries are an assortment of adorable, dwarf evergreens looking like perfect miniature sculptures. They were planted in stone and terra cotta pots and the soil topped with river rocks.

1) BEFORE:

 

1) AFTER:

2) This porch pot below is viewed from the inside of the house through glass doors at the end of a long hallway. Impact was in order. For dramatic height, we planted a young pyramidal hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata') with leaves that will turn yellow-orange as it gets colder. At the base, pony tail grass (Stipa tenuissima) to the rear, with hardy red mums, and lavender thyme. A spray of red dogwood twigs adds a colorful spark that acts as an exclamation point to the entire arrangement.

2) BEFORE:

2) AFTER:

Gotta Get It Garden Gear - Cube Planter

The Cube Planter from Pull + Push Products was designed by Nobuhiro Sato. It is a solid planter with 4 concrete walls and colored glass windows. They also make one that sports balconies, called the Mansion Planter, and one with the rebar exposed, called the Truss Planter. They can also be used as a very cool candle holder. 

Ten Brilliant Autumn Trees

Amelanchier - orange red
Bald Cypress - red
Birch - yellow
Dogwood - purple red
Gingko biloba - yellow
Maple - orange red yellow
Sassafras - orange red yellow
Sourwood - purple red yellow
Stewartia -  orange red yellow
Sweetgum - orange purple red

The Sound Garden

Created by Nick Bertke, a 22-year old electronic musician from Perth, Australia. “Gardyn” is an original song he created using only samples of his mother’s voice and sounds from her garden. He captured textures and materials and put them together to create beautiful, ethereal music. The final result is an fantastic ode to his mother's love of gardening. Check it out:

Dig-a-(free!)Tree

Help yourself to free native trees while maintaining the meadow habitat. In preparation for spring mowing of the field, a designated area of the Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, New York is available for digging. Black Cherry, Black Locust, Sassafras, Pin Oak, Black Oak, and Sweet Gum may be among the varieties. People will be available to help with identification and offer tips on transplanting. Wear protective clothing and work gloves, and  bring a spade, loppers, bags or burlap and be prepared to dig. Arrive promptly at 10am for orientation. Do your part to help sustainable land use by transplanting native trees and shrubs to your own yard.

Saturday & Sunday, October 30 & 31, 2010
For additional information call 914.835.4466

There's a Fungus Amongus

 

A decaying 125+ year old pin oak was removed on this site a few years ago. What you can't see underneath the surface are the remains of the ground up tree roots. This abundant source of food in the soil has ensured the fungus's arrival and this colony of mushrooms is obviously thriving in this semi-shady location. 'Shrooms are amazing and bizarre, non-flowering plants that can spring up overnight like these did. Those you can see are the visible part of more complex organisms. They are the fruits of a larger vegetative system called mycelium which is composed of tiny filaments that continue deep down into the soil. I think these are Russula mutabilis, one of the more stinky members of the mushroom family, fairly common in eastern North America.

I'm not unhappy these appeared since their presence means the decomposition of the stump below will accelerate, quickly turning it into food for the plants above. You can't get much more natural than that! 

Feast on some of these creatively descriptive mushroom names: Stinky Squid, Dead Man’s Fingers, Destroying Angels, Jellied False Coral, Gem Studded Puffball, to name a few. A good source of photos can be found at the Fungi Gallery.

Gotta Get it Garden Gear - Stainless Steel Pinwheel

The fresh and modern design of the Stainless Steel Pinwheel stakes allow them to catch the wind and spin. Made of durable stainless steel that will reflect light and create contrast with the surrounding plant colors while the industrial finish will add a cool edge to the garden or yard. Available in small and large. Handmade in Germany. For more info and to purchase, visit the New York Botanical Garden Shop.

The World's Fair of People Who Make

Went to an amazing event this past weekend at the New York Hall of Science in NYC.
Dreamed up by the mad scientists behind 
Make Magazine, Maker Faire was a whole weekend
of larger than life creations brought together by engineers, artists, crafters, tinkerers and scientists. Extremely cool.

One great idea that incorporates innovative concepts is the The Windowfarms Project.
It allows city dwellers to grow food in their apartments year-round and channels their experience into research for the future of urban agriculture. Thousands of participants are building these compact vertical hydroponic gardens in windows around the world, proposing and testing design modifications, and experimenting with different veggies and nutrients.
It's R&DIY...  Research and Develop It Yourself!

For more info or to purchase a kit go to Windowfarms.org

- Photographed at Makers Faire NYC

What's Happening in the Garden Today?

Gardens can appear in the most unlikely places.

When you order a drink, it should not only taste good, but also look good. That being said, a good garnish will never improve a bad drink. Simple, logical, and fresh. The perfect reward at the end of a long, hot day of weeding or mulch-spreading. Another delicious way of bringing
the outdoors in. Salute!

From Garden to Table

My very generous friend Marjorie dropped off a glut of cucumbers recently. I welcomed them with open arms. In fact, I needed both to hoist them. We’re not talking gherkins here, these were cucumber blimps. Torpedos. One was at least 16” and the rest not much smaller. I stared at the pile and debated what to do with them.

A simple salad of fresh tomato, red onion, and balsamic vinaigrette is always a delicious and refreshing way to serve cukes, but that would only take care of one of the huge specimens lurking on the counter. These monsters were too huge for pickles. Even my beloved tzatziki wouldn’t make a dent in my mountain of Cucumis sativus! What to do, what to do? As I also have a plethora of mint constantly threatening to invade, it was decided.

This recipe is easy, refreshing, and the slight kick from the mustard complements the crisp, creamy flavors.

Easy Cold Cucumber & Mint Soup
(Adjust recipe accordingly for cucumber blimps.)

4 (normal) cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1 cup light sour cream
3/4 teaspoon high quality, dry mustard, or to taste
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

In a blender puree all ingredients. Taste to adjust flavors. Chill soup overnight to let flavors blend. Serve cold with a mint sprig for garnish.

- Adapted from Gourmet

Chew on This

It takes about seven gallons of water to grow a single serving of lettuce. Roughly 2,600 gallons are required to produce one portion of steak.

- The Curious Gardener’s Almanac

What's Happening in the Garden Today?

The number one reason to grow
your own. The weather this year
has made tomatoes very happy
and these Brandywine tomatoes
were shot just after harvest.
The larger fruit had a diameter of six
inches before it was sliced, sprinkled
with Murray River Salt Flakes,
and devoured.

Brandywine is an heirloom variety that
dates back to the Seed Savers Exchange
in 1882. It is considered to be one of the
best tasting large tomatoes.Creamy
texture, thin skin, and wonderful flavor. Organic seedlings were purchased from Streambank Gardens.

Beach Art

Planning. Patience. Perseverance.

Be amazed.