Park Officials Saying no to Foragers

       On July 29 the New York Times Posted an article on park officials dealing with foragers. This is a very touchy subject because on one hand- all the officials are trying to do is preserve the park and the plants and wild life they worked hard for. While on the other hand-people are trying to make use of the land provided to them, using the land to teach and identify edibles, and trying to enjoy the park(s) the way they know how. 

       

        Anyone, hopefully, can see both ends of each argument. It is true however, that these parks provided to the people, do not necessarily belong to the people. I am not going to lie, I often have identified wild edibles, in my strolls through the parks, but after thinking about it, decided to leave it untouched. The parks are meant to provide an aesthetic for the people, as well as to create a wild life habitat. Once this gets disturbed, all the hard work is lost, and the wild life, is left with nowhere to go. Not to mention the plants that are mishandled and left for dead, just to satisfy a person's needs.

         Sandy Hook in New Jersey, apparently will allow foraging, but provide a limit. This is reasonable, and people should be understanding of it. Over Foraging, can result in a few different things, extinction of the plant in its natural habitat, harming the wildlife that thrives off of it, and costing the park officials extra money to replace it. You may be tempted to grab more than the allotted amount, but whats the point of getting fined, just return the next day, and do it all over again.

         What's upsetting, is those that are taking foraging too far, and making this an issue to begin with. The Article states that people are over fishing, catching turtles, and taking trees. Several people love to fish, but if its not allowed, or theres a limit, don't do it, or just follow the rules. You know the fish (and Turtles) didn't just magically appear in the middle of these parks (surrounded by the city). They were put there by the officials. 

          Hopefully a compromise will be met, and it will not come down to fenced off areas in the parks.

What are your thoughts on this article?

         

Propagating a Japanese Maple...i think? part 2

Well as stated in the prior post, I made the first and biggest mistake by leaving the cuttings out in the open in my apartment, I believe this caused them to dry out a little too much. Being that the suggested is to plant immediately or to keep the cuttings Moist.  The purpose of keeping the plant moist is to keep the plant alive, so that in the rooting process it will retain the necessary energy to provide nutrients to the roots.

After finally having had the free moment to purchase the rooting hormone i wounded the cutting to expose an opening for the roots to come out of as well, then I applied the rooting hormone. Rooting Hormones not only increase the possiblility that rooting will occur but most of the rooting hormones also have a fungicide which protects the cutting from getting a disease and molding. I then inserted my cuttings into a growing medium and have kept them moist. At this point it is best to keep the cutting in a partially sunny but mostly shady location at 60 degrees temp.

But still no results, this could be one of two options. the first is that I let the cuttings dry out and die.

The second is that the plant is naturally in its dormancy meaning that there is a possibility it will root when spring comes along, but we'll see.

Quick Recap:

Propagating a Hardwood Cutting
1. have a cutting of the prior seasons growth at least 6-8 inches in length from a healthy plant.

2. make cutting on a 45 degree angle just above the node and wound to promote rooting

3. apply rooting compound

4. plant in a growing medium that is well aerated.

5. keep moist

6. Keep in a primarily shady location at 60 degrees until roots begin to form

7. Enjoy

Propagating a Japanese Maple...i think? Prelude to part 2

After weeks of delay, thinking of how to follow up to the previous post...its finally here.

             The first attempt to propagate the Japanese Maple with one of the Gel 2 Root packs as predicted was a failure. After a week or so of the cuttings being in the solution, there wasn't any change. As the end of the second week approached the solution began to turn cloudy and mold began to develop on the cuttings...that is when the white flag was thrown in.

             My second attempt is where the delays in posting this came to play...( Here's where the excuses come to play, so feel free to call the "waambulance" on me) 

                The First and most important, is that my apartment is in a "pre-war" building and the heat is controlled buy the super through a radiated system, and being that the apartment is so old my radiator has been painted over and over again, meaning that i can't adjust the dial so there's only one setting...HOT

                The second is that I work insane hours regularly and hadn't the time to make it to the local garden center.

              And the third and final, is that i wanted to make this post worth writing and worth the wait.

........Unfortunately most of my research on how to propagate a semi-hardwood to hardwood cutting occurred after my attempt to remember what i learned from my horticulture class in H.S. ( 7 years ago) off the top of my head. ...........

Happy Year!!

Happy New Year!!

                 As Promised I will be updating my blog more regularly this year. I have strayed away from it momentarily because, I felt I had been losing the main focus of this blog, which is Gardening, followed by the results of vegetable gardening. Moving to New York mid growing season, put me in this loop, but it has also helped me expand my thoughts and ideas for this blog, as well as possibly another. Thanks for all those who have helped to motivate me to continue to blog, who have read my blog, and who i will meet this year because of this blog.

Thanks!

NYC Day 1: BreakFast w/ Cookie

After getting situated on our first day (grocery shopping, checking out our surrounding area and relaxing for a bit.) We realized it was time for bed...Having only slept 15 hours in 3 days it was definitely necessary.  

I wake up the next morning and all I could think is..
Breakfast!

What should I make?....Again I began to think about our pantry and what was in stock.


Oatmeal with Honey Caramelized Peaches, and Bananas 

Oatmeal:
1c Oatmeal
2c Milk
1ts Honey


I just throw these ingredients together and gently stir occasionally until the Oats are cooked.


Honey Caramelized Peaches:
1 Peach peeled and cut into segments
1ts of honey


This is really simple..turn your flame on to a bit above medium, add your Honey, heat until it begins to smell caramelized and the bubbles have begun to slow down. Add your peaches and cook until the peaches have begun to breakdown.


Banana
1/2 banana cut into thin rounds




All together this took maybe about 10 minutes. It was a great start to the day.