Rooftop Farm!

A few Sundays ago I participated in the free composting seminar held at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. I heard about this place a while ago, and ever since I have been very curious. So it was a great reason to finally check out this operation.




I used to get invited to watch the rooftop viewing of glorious July 4th Fireworks up close when this building was an AIR. Now it is a converted shooting studio and full-fledged, albeit small scale, farm overlooking the East River on top. Somehow it feels fitting; to see the rows of growing vegetables against the Manhattan skyline evokes comfort and strange satisfaction.



Yes, chickens live there, too!

Plenty of practical information was given at this seminar. Now I'm ready to fill my compost bin in the yard! Sounds like I can put almost anything from the kitchen and the yard: fruits & vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds & filters (great!!!), seaweed (wha...???), and food-soiled paper towels & napkins (good news because these cannot be put out to recycling in NYC), dead leaves, pine needles, etc. Technically grains, cereals, breads are OK to compost too, but probably wise not to because these foods attract unwanted attention from certain small creatures. Well then I can feed them to the sparrows, blue jays and cardinals instead.

Now, let the compost begin!

Ku Cake

Getting There...

The month of May is, perhaps, the most crucial. Because this is when the decision is made: what to plant this year.

Right now it looks like this. The perennials are almost reaching their full size: you can see two kinds of hosta plants in front. Farther back, you can see the long, narrow leaves of, what I think are related to, day lilies. Their leaves grow so fast in early spring (seriously a few inches in a day!) till June, by when they become all yellow, brown and eventually dry up. Suddenly in early- to mid- August, bunch of stalks shoot from the ground, almost overnight. And only for a few days the delicate pale pink flowers blossom. There are three kinds of evergreens in this tiny yard too. They provide the partial shade that is much needed in this otherwise totally sunny yard. Some of the weeds - peppermint, lemon balm, aster and green/red shiso - are allowed to stay, though in 'designated' areas.

This year's big addition is the compost bin. It is really exciting that all the vegetable scraps that used to go to waste can be recycled! Also a big change in planting location this year: normally occupied by the tomatoes (and eventually overtaken by evil, evil weeds), I'm experimenting the front area to be flower- and herb- centric. You see; the plantable area is not that big because there are many perennials already staking the room. On top of it there is a chunk of concrete foundation buried in the middle. So when I found a discarded metal trash can on the street the other day (yes, I am a proud dumpster diver!), I got an idea to use it as a raised planter that can also cover the foundation. Right now it still looks like a trash can half sticking out of the yard (=ugly!) but, I'm hoping, in a few months, the creeping rosemary and orange mint will nicely trail down the side. The cleome flowers, supposed to grow tall, are all around it.

Well, it was utterly satisfying planning, clearing, buying and planting for the past few weekends. But the 'instant gratification' moment is over. Now you have to be patient. I will post another picture in a few weeks to see the progress...

Ku Cake

Doing My Part

You know this cardboard 'wraparound' thingy so that you don't burn yourself when carrying the hot coffee, right? Time to time I buy coffee when I go outside for a quick walk around the block, and this thingy started piling up in the drawer. So I thought: "hey let's reuse" and put one in my bag.

The other afternoon I went for a walk; it was Friday, it was not raining, and I needed to get a whiff of outside air. Yes, the kind of situation screaming for "Coffee!". I got on the line, asked for my small coffee, and handed the thingy to the server. I think I startled him. The server was a little taken aback, and then, started chuckling as he realized what I just did. "Is it funny?" "No, noooo!" "I guess I'm the first one to do this?" "Yes, you ARE the first!" It must have been so amusing - or inspiring - he gave me a 10% discount on the spot.

Ha, now I feel even better for doing my tiny part. Hey, every little step counts, right?

Ku Cake

Little Organic Herb Garden

I always move some of the herbs indoors with the first sign of frost. This winter, oregano, thyme, chive and basil plants are waiting for the arrival of spring; I'm sure they can't wait to go outside...NOT!

They have it really good - the room is warm and full of sunshine (albeit via window glass). But the best part is the daily dose of nutritious water, thanks to my goldfish. Instead of relying on the Miracle-Glo, I started taking advantage of the 'fish water'.

I read it somewhere, I think it was an article on NY Times Magazine, that the fish poopoo is an excellent source of nutrients for the plants. I have been adding used coffee grinds to the pots for some time, and this year I wanted to see if fish water makes a difference. Every morning I scoop up the water from fish tank and pour it over the herbs.

I think they are really happy. I'm happy too, because I don't have to schlep the bucketfull of dirty water up and down. Plus, less chemical they absorb the better. So it's defiitely a win-win situation.

Ku Cake

My Trusty Tote Bags

Long before using a cloth bag for shopping became trendy and even fashionable ("I'm Not A Plastic Bag" bag, anyone?), my heavy-duty tote bags accompanied me everywhere.

It's partially because I dislike plastic bags. But mainly, it fortified when I started the thrice-weekly pilgrimage to the Greenmarket. You'd need a big tote bag, backpack, or a roller to schlep 5 lbs. of shelling peas, 3 lbs. of zucchinis, 3 lbs. of peaches and 6 ears of corn in one trip! Thank goodness my bosses were so tolerant. I used to haul all sorts of food, some even strange, to the office. Surely my co-workers were amused (or frightened) when they saw a whole fish chilling inside the fridge. Well, I was just giddily happy to fill my bags with good food. I particularly loved transporting a bunch of garlic with scapes intact: their long leaves trailing behind me, as if a samurai warrior proudly carries his clan flag on his back.

I've been taking advantage of the Whole Foods stores; they offer a small discount for bringing your own bag. Recently I read that they will phase out plastic bags by April this year. I think this is definitely a move to the right direction. If we are serious about reducing the plastic bags piling up at home, make it harder to get one. Or even go further: charge a small amount for a plastic bag at the counter. That'll make everyone think twice about asking for it.

Ku Cake