2010 NYC Grows report
I debated whether or not to go in the rain because walking around Manhattan with an umbrella is no fun! Since I've been waiting for this for so long, I don't want to regret it afterwards. So I put on my blue polka dot rain boots, umbrella in my hand and hit the city! I already had plans in case the show was no good, I was going to just hang out at Max Brenner (a chocolate theme restaurant near Union Square) and go shopping afterwards.
I got there not expecting much because of last year's disappointment. As I got closer to Union Square I saw tents and thinking that's a good sign, at least they were prepared for the rain. I entered the show from the side and immediately saw many sponsor booths, gardening and cooking demonstrations, nicely decorated mini-gardens. They had big sponsors like Whole Foods, Organic Valley, Toyota, and woollypocket (will talk about this later, pretty cool stuff). I spent a couple of hours there and got a lot of goodies.
I had mixed feelings after the show. Every year I feel like this event is driven by sponsors and those sponsors are not always gardening related. I had a good time at the show but walking away wishing there would be more gardening related demonstrations or workshops, etc. I still remember when Target was the sponsor, they had more gardening related activities. Having said that, I think they did a fantastic job and if I were to pick the best booth, it would be the Organic Gardening magazine.
2010 NYC Grows
2010 NYC Grows
2010 NYC Grows
You see all the beautiful vertical garden? It's the first time I've seen such a big display of vertical garden and I have to say it's pretty impressive. It's called the woollypockets. I don't know if you can see in the picture above the hot chocolate, there's a small tree in the bottom 'pocket'. I was tempted to buy one at the booth, but I thought it was too expensive and I wasn't sure if it's going to work. I think it's great for people who live in apartments or condos who have limited gardening space.
2010 NYC Grows
The annual NYC Grows is coming up on Sunday April 25, from 10am to 4pm. I've been to this festival two years in a row and the first year was a lot of fun. I remember coming home with a lot of free goodies and plants. I also enjoyed the different gardening demonstrations and had fun talking to other gardeners. They even had a container gardening session which I enjoyed a lot. Last year's festival was just okay, I was kind of disappointed because there were only a few booths, no gardening demonstrations and no goodies. I had a feeling it was due to the bad economy and lack of big sponsors. I'm hoping this year will be as good as the first year and I hope the weather will cooperate! I'll see you there!
NYC Grows
Sunday, April 25, 10AM - 4PM
Union Square Park View Map
Manhattan, NY
Event website
Can’t wait for spring
The sun is out and the temperature will get up to 58F today. Days are getting longer and it sure feels like spring! I really can't wait, the gardener in me can't wait to come out.
Back in December I wrote a post about forcing paperwhites and I realized I never came back and post the updates. The paperwhites did really well but nothing really happened with the Amaryllis. The Amaryllis just kept growing long green leaves but the flower stalk I was waiting for never came out.
Paperwhites are fool-proof and it's great if you're looking for some blooms during the winter months. I grew the paperwhites in a tall narrow pot but I think next year I'll look for a wider and shorter pot so I can put more bulbs in it. Paperwhites look great when planted in groups.
