Pollinator Dreams

The second annual Pollinator Dreams exhibit, showcasing the Hudson Vallery Seed Library Pack Art 2010 and Ayumi Horie Pottery, runs through December 12, 2009 at Roos Arts, 449 Main Street in Rosendale, NY. Hours are Thursdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m.

Here is more information about the event from Roos Arts:

“Pollinator Dreams” presents the Hudson Valley Seed Library’s vision of forming and sustaining local food networks. To foster other ways to celebrate our region, The Hudson Valley Seed Library started a new tradition last year of working with artists to create cover art for their seed packs. The project brings together art and seeds to “represent a broad spectrum of styles, mediums, and visions, just as our seeds represent generations of individual tastes, culinary approaches, and garden heritage.” The diversity of the artwork from this year’s 16 Pack Artists reflects the many stories behind each variety and the genetic wonder that makes each plant unique.

We have also teamed up with Ayumi Horie, a celebrated studio potter, who lives and works in Hudson Valley. She mixes Japanese and American Folk traditions in her drawings to design a perfect blend of humor and sweetness in functional art. Her interest in everyday life and love for materials are evident in each handmade pot and plate. We are excited to present Ayumi Horie’s special edition of plates inspired by pollinators and pests of our region. The special edition plates and the original seed pack artwork will be on display and available for purchase at Roos Arts alongside the Hudson Valley Seed Library’s Art Packs and seeds.

This year’s artists live and work all over the Hudson Valley. Each interpreted one heirloom garden variety for the Hudson Valley Seed Library. Mediums include collage, ceramics, watercolor, paper cutting, illustration, oil, rustoleum, and embroidery. The participating artists are:

Robert Morris/ Arugula, Wendy Hollender/ Basil Bouquet, Donna Sharrett/ Borage, Jacinta Bunnell/ Calico Popcorn, Dana Gentile/ Costata Romanesca Zucchini, Arik Roper/ Dragon’s Tongue Bean, Michael Asbill/ Forellenschlus, Deb Lucke/Fox Cherry Tomato, Joan Lesikin/New England Pie Pumpkin, Rachelle Cohen/New Yorker Tomato, Ambriel Floyd/Painted Daisy, Ayumi Horie/Piracicaba Broccoli, Diana Bryan/Ruby Queen Beet, Ryan Cronin/Sugar Baby Watermelon, Gigi Chew/Sunflower Surprise, and Michael Gellatly/Sweet Salad Pepper.

The Hudson Valley Seed Library is a homestead-based farm and business in upstate New York founded by Ken Greene and Doug Muller. Using hand tools and low-tech processes they grow a range of heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables, herbs, and flowers from which they save seed. Their goal is to provide seeds to urban, suburban, and rural home gardeners. By 2014, they aim to offer 100% locally grown seed.

Scenes from the yard: woodpecker

Free shuttle to Walkway over the Hudson

A week ago I visited the Walkway over the Hudson -- the restored railroad bridge between Poughkeepsie and Highland that just opened as the world's longest pedestrian park. It was a chilly, windy and overcast day -- and I had a great time! I wasn't the only one -- the bridge was full of people on a Friday morning.

You can visit the Walkway over the Hudson for yourself this weekend without worrying about finding parking. This weekend they are offering free shuttle bus service from the Poughkeepsie railroad station and from the Financial Plaza parking garage in the city of Poughkeepsie. More details here.

Design inspiration: Olana's garden gate

Gate in the lower garden at Olana, the home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church in Columbia County near Hudson.

PS Here is a video I made about my Olana impressions.

Design inspiration: framing ferns

Design inspiration: framing ferns. Great images here!

The recent cold temps may have browned many ferns in our Hudson Valley gardens, but I still have some that were protected under leaf cover. I may try this!

Early morning crows

Photo taken in Red Hook.

Those who tweet

UPDATE: I previously wrote about my list of exceptional garden writers who use Twitter.

Well, Twitter just added some code that allows me to display the list -- called WeGarden -- on the right of this page.

I've added an additional list I keep for Chefs, Farmers, Eaters. I hope you enjoy reading the thoughts of writers on both of these lists -- please let me know!

Gardeners on Twitter

I've been compiling a list of gardeners who "tweet" well on Twitter. Some local folks. Some well-known folks. Some friends. Some strangers. All have interesting things to say.

You can visit here to see who I found so far.

Botany of Desire

The Botany of Desire, based on that amazing book by Michael Pollan about the role of humans in shaping plant diversity, airs on PBS this week.

The schedule of when it airs is here, and if you miss it, PBS is offering the full streaming video on the same site.

Have you seen it yet?

Fries in the Field

Slow Food Hudson Valley and students from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park will be celebrating the harvest on Sunday Oct. 25 as they help Pleasant Valley farmer Paul Wigsten harvest a variety of potatoes and make French fries in the field. The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is open to other attendees -- IF you RSVP by e-mailing here.

Participants should bring their gardening gloves, a water bottle, good cheer, a blanket or folding chairs and their favorite French fry dipping sauce. (Bring lunch too, if you like.)

Wigsten Farm is at 1096 Salt Point Turnpike in Pleasant Valley.