yesterday's Times

In yesterday's New York Times, there is a great  profile on John Ameroso, a pioneer in the world of urban farming.

I had never heard of him before reading this article. I think his story is fascinating especially given the fact that urban vegetable plots and community gardening are often cast as trendy throwbacks to the victory gardens of  WWII.....at least that is the impression you often get when you read about the "rise of urban agriculture" in most popular magazines and newspapers.

But as this piece shows, it's been catching on for quite a while. 

Radio Skywriter

Tune in tomorrow from 11:30am-12:00pm to Radio Skywriter on WNCU 90.7 FM to hear pat murray and I talk gardening. Our guest is Michelle Wallace, consumer horticultural agent with the Durham County Cooperative Extension Office. If we fail to comment on the tropical rain from Hannah, it is because we taped it on Thursday.

On a related note, Bull City water restrictions have eased a bit due some recent and forecasted rain. Here is the official word from City Hall

from farm to Foster street

Endangered Durham has a very cool post about the Durham County Cooperative Extension building on Foster Street. The pictures of of the old curb market that used to operate there are especially nice.

I frequently rely on the County Co-op Extension Office for home garden advice and for fact-checking in my Skywriter column. Wikipedia is a useful place to get instant plant gratification, but if you want to chat about japanese beetles, rooting stem cuttings, or a new addition to your shrub border, you should visit this office or call the Master Gardener hotline (919) 560-0525