Our next workshop, Getting Started with Hydroponics, is on Sunday, August 1st, from 1-4. This introductory workshop will teach you the basics of how to grow plants hydroponically. It includes a brief history of hydroponics, the different systems out there and suggestions on hardy crops that are perfect for first-time growers. The best part? You’ll build your own Drip system! Getting Started with Hydroponics is taught by our Chief Hydroponicist, Lee Mandell.
The workshop is located at the Bug Labs office in SoHo. The fee for the workshop is $30; the fee for materials is $55. Space is limited so register here.
Note: If you’re interested in learning about hydroponics but aren’t ready to build a system, the materials fee will be waived.
We’ve had a very busy week at the farm. The heat wave a few weeks back took its toll on our rooftop installation but thanks to Lee’s quick thinking and ability to lug pounds of ice up some steep stairs, everything is back on track. I’m loving the sunflowers which are now enormous. Our cumbers are kicking right along and the Fine Verde basil is busting up out of the NFT system. We also had our first lady bug sighting. Win!
New to the farm this week are our carrots which have just sprouted. Our pea shoots are back. There was a sad turn of events for the peas when it hit 103 degrees on the roof so we’re happy to see them again.
We met husband and wife team Jason Hait and Ayelet Prizant a few weeks back at the Crown Heights Health Fair. Jason is the owner and Executive Chef at The Pour Gourmet. They were selling some of their amazingly hot sauces, marinades and mustards. Lee and Jason got to talking about peppers and viola! he offered to take the plethora of Habaneros we recently grew off our hands. Jason will be concocting something most delicious with them. We’re desperate for a taste and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s whiped it up. In the meantime, don’t miss out on other Pour Gourmet treats. I’ve got my eye on the Beer-B-Q sauce. I’m betting it’s fabulous on veggie burgers.
Summer is here and we know you’re looking for a fun morning or afternoon trip. We’re open for visits year-round but why not schedule one now? You can see our indoor R&D lab and we’ll also take you to our rooftop installation at the Bushwick Starr. Email lee@boswyckfarms.org to set up a time. Hope to see you soon!
About a month ago Lee built a vertical system which we planted with strawberries. They are happy in their new home and about 2 weeks ago began to flower. Even though they aren’t quite ready we did a small tasting this past Tuesday. The result? A little tart but a lot delicious. Our Caribbean Red Cabanero peppers have ripened and they are…hot. We’re looking forward to pickling! Our Red Zebra tomatoes were harvested and are pretty and delicious.
Bushwick Open Studios was this past weekend. Hot and humid as it was we threw open the doors to the farm, inviting people in to see our seven different hydroponic systems. Those who came got to eat a little of our arugula, watercress and lettuce, not to mention Lee’s homemade and perfectly salted popcorn. (Our peppers and tomatoes were not quite ripe enough to sample but should be there momentairly so make arrangements to visit if you want a taste.) The recently planted strawberries have taken to their new vertical system and we were happy so many people admired how pretty they looked. Several people made hydroponic planters out of recycled soda bottles, seeded them with the basil of their choice and took them home to start a windowsill garden.
A tip of our hat to the peeps over at Arts in Bushwick for organizing another fabulous event. We’re looking forward to next year’s open studios!
We had another great visit from a local news outlet. This time WCBS stopped by the farm to check out what we’re growing. They also took a visit to our rooftop installation over at The Bushwick Starr (which is coming along quite nicely despite the secret lettuce nibblers). Many thanks to Mary for the interview. Click here to watch.
We think it proper to give ourselves a big pat on the back. In fact, we’re giving ourselves the World of Warcraft leveling “woot” because we’re part of CNN’s story on hydroponic farming.
The CNN crew took great footage of what’s happening at Boswyck Farms (the latest pictures can be seen in ourgallery), on our rooftop installation at the Bushwick Starr, and of Lee, the self-named spice wimp, sampling a homegrown hot pepper. Check out the video–we’re the third segment in the story.
A tip of our hat to Britta Riley over at Window Farms who pointed CNN in our direction. Thank you!
In case you were stuck on the train or stuffed in your cubicle or trapped somewhere else far from your computer, the interview Lee and Chloë did with Bernie Wides from The Naturalist radio show has been posted on Heritage Radio Network.
Today Lee and Chloë will be interviewed by Bernie Wides on his show, The Naturalist. They’ll be talking about hydroponics, the work we do at the farm and our upcoming programs. The show airs between 12:00 and 12:30. Tune in if you can. It will also be available as a podcast.
There was a great article on Boswyck Farms in am New York this morning. Joanna ran over to the Wall Street subway station and grabbed a few copies for the farm. Since we can’t post the physical paper, here’s a link to the PDF of the article. It’s on page 8. Enjoy!
