This is all about the cultivation of my 3 x 35 foot back yard garden in Brooklyn, New York! The garden is north facing, luckily no tall buildings, so there is a significant amount of sun for part of the growing season.
Also some discussion about container gardening; there are 14 fairly large containers in the front of the house (south facing, very sunny most of the day) in addition to a generously sized tree pit that is the bane of my existence.
What grows, (and where) what doesn't, local and mail order sources. Pests of all kinds. Join in and learn from me.
Ipomoea Batata Blooms
Sweet Potato Vine
This morning while looking at the sweet potato vines growing in containers in front of the house, I noticed one of the plants had a flower!This is the first time I have ever seen a flower, my vines have never bloomed before, so it is exciting in a gardening sort of way. I've seen some reports saying this is unusual for the northeast, I have no idea if this is actually true or not.
I did grab a photo, you can clearly see how much the flower of the sweet potato vine looks like the morning glory, a cousin. By the way this vine is one I ordered early in the season from Park Seed (see Links) and I believe the variety is called "Blackie."
Gardening Links
Sites & businesses I actually patronize
- Park Seed
- Having ordered seed and living plants from this company for several years, I can only say it has been consistent and I have been pleased with the purchases. They are a little pricey.
- Burpee
- I haven't ordered very much from this company, though among what I have ordered is one of my favorite plants this year, "Blondie" African impatiens. Yellow in color, they are quite different than the usual impatiens typically seen. They love deep shade and do exceptionally well in containers. You can see what this plant looks like in the flickr images, below.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- The Botanic Garden is a ten minute walk for me and is gorgeous. Check out the site, they offer many publications (not necessarily free) and offer workshops and other information to Brooklyn gardeners.
- The Royal Horticultural Society
- To me this is one of the best information-based websites. In the past I've researched various topics (example: pruning clematis) and have found the information here to be detailed, well organized and easy to understand. This is one of my favorite reference sites.
- Gowanus Nursery
- Located at 102 3rd Street in Carroll Gardens, this is a wonderful source for healthy, vigorous plants. Staff are kownledgable and able to advise. Sadly, it is rumored their location is about to be developed and they need to find a new place -- not so easy in Brooklyn.
- Garden Web
- This is a great site to connect gardeners. There are forums on many, many topics; seed/plant exchange, regionally focused forums, and much more.
Urban Gardening Books
Current Perennial Plant List
2006 List
- Climbing Rose
- Dianthus (often called pinks) -- three varieties
- Rudbekia -- Black-eyed susan daisies. Cool fuzzy foliage.
- Blue bearded Iris
- Huechera -- Purple foliage -- Hope to add more of this in different colors.
- English lavender
- Violets (purple)
- Clematis (Jackmanii)
- Bleeding heard, pink
- Creeping phlox
- Small Lillies
- Lenten Rose (Helleborus)
- Coreopsis Creme Brulee
- Veronica, purple
- Hosta, white & green foliage
- Honeysuckle (red)
- Miniature Rhododendron.
- Dahlia -- After the heat wave of last week, it may be dead.
- Canna -- Charlotte Reine.
- Sedum -- Two varieties, one pink, the other red flowers with varigated foliage.
- Gladiolus
My Garden Pics
Random Garden Shots
These are images of plants in my garden, taken at various stages of growth this season.
Jackmanii, fourth year for this plant. Lots of blossoms.
Tomato, basil, pepper in large containers; sweet potato vine in the foreground (...
Roses were exceptional this year. Iris, Coreopsis Creme Brulee, blue Veronica p...
Miniature variety, for a small garden.
"Blondie" -- thriving in deep shade.
Backyard Status 16 July.
Current Annual Plant List
2006 List
- Ipomoea Batata (Sweet Potato Vine), three varieties. I think this is not considered an annual in warmer climates.
- Impatiens, various colors
- African Impatiens
- Coleus
- Marigolds (two varities, one of which ie Burpee's "white" marigold named French Vanilla.
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine
- Dusty Miller
- Morning Glories
- Tomato plants (4) Two Roma, two cherry
- Cinnamon Basil
- Basil
- Pepper -- Jalapeño
- Oregano
- Creeping Thyme
