A certain amount of error is always involved when learning to care for plants. You can search high and low for the right additive to make your plants grow, but a knowledgeable and experienced person is always the best resource.
The other Saturday I visited the Greenmarket at Union Square. To me, this is the most abundant season to visit I passed rows of succulents, a stand with wheat grass my cats would die for (and then spit up on my carpet) and then on to the Southwest area of the market.
There I visited with Trina, who runs Silver Heights Farm, and has a stand on Saturdays filled with edible plants like nasturtiums, red shiso, bee balm, varieties of basil and peppers the list is long. I couldnt be any luckier.
Trina understands trial and error well. Week after week she brings hearty herbs and garden plants along to the market, which are the product of years of her own study and perseverance. She let me know that the failures are learning experiences.
It is in this spirit that she trades stories, offers advice and encourages the visitors at her stand. She continually studies city gardening to understand the unique challenges it poses she can easily suggest hearty plants that may grow in your apartment.
Before you strike gold, and find the varieties that love what your space has to offer, there may be a long road to travel with many casualties. But thats okay another good excuse to go shopping and try again. Even with the cost of trying again, it is a far cheaper habit than others and one my wife endorses.
Keep trying. MN
Silver Heights Farm
Trina Pilonero
216 Eggler Rd.
Jeffersonville, NY 12748
845-482-3608
845-482-5812
slvrhgts@catskill.net
P.S. Here is a very good article on BASIL from last Sundays Daily News, which featured Trina and her excellent tips on caring for herbs:
I am looking for heirloom tomato plants for my garden and I am willing to drive to Jeffersonville to find them if you are open tomorrow, Sunday, April 29. I am especially interested in Pink or black Russians. If you have them call me at 718-381-9274 and let me know. My brother owns a farm in Narrowsburg and I will drive up to see him also.
Tom Dowd
Dear Trina -
I am a gardener in New York city and buy my seedlings from you in Union Square. You have wonderful plants and I have been very successful with them. My questions to you are: (1) Do you do requests? If I send you seeds, would you start them for me. You don't seem to have Martain Giant tomatoes, seeds by Seeds of Change. or, Jolly Elf by Territorial Seeds. (2) Globe Basil....I love your globe basil, but....I do county fair competitions which cover about 3 months, and I would like to use your globe basil throughout which is about 5 fairs. Could I order some globe basil early in spring, in the middle of spring, and late in spring? Or something of that fashion. See what you think of my request and what you would charge to do this.
Thank You,
Marilyn Johnson