Let’s start this final Season 1 edition of the Gardening Newsletter with some little
music for atmosphere:
Now to learn a bit about the figure that is ending our gardening fun.
It seems that many countries can claim to be the place where Jack Frost originated. In some of these places, he is considered villainous while in others he is heroic. But in all countries, he is the herald of winter. However, most experts on this grim subject believe that he sprung from the minds of either the Anglo-Saxons or Scandinavian traditions. For example, in one legend he is the son of Kari, the
Norse god of the winds. (Is this a good reason to rename our garden “The Kari Community Gardens of Kari, since he seems to have taken up permanent residence, illegal or not, in our space?) In the folklore of Finland, we have more of a Hallmark Channel version of Jack Frost – he and his wife, Frostman and Frostwoman, manage the weather to keep the environment pleasant for the reindeers. In the Japanese culture, he is portrayed in tales as Frost Man who with his brother, Mist Man, are the keepers of frost and dew.
As for our version of Jack Frost, during the 16th and 17th centuries, “Jack” was slang
for “man” in England so our harbinger of rotten weather acquired a first name. (So
should we be saying instead of “hey, man” “Hey, Jack, can I bum a smoke?) Usually
we visualize Jack Frost as a fairy-like character and because of this, he has made it big in stories, songs and movies. Rise of the Guardians, a film made by Dreamworks in 2012, made him into a teen with existential dread, who discovers his raison d’etre. (Would have suited me better if he kept his angst.) In Santa Clause 3, Jack reverses his cloak and becomes the epitome of evil looking to destroy Santa. And let’s not leave out the movie Jack Frost, in which a father is in a car crash and comes back as a snowman to be with his son. (Bet Hallmark would pass on that one.?
The first cartoon image of Jack Frost goes back to 1861 in Harper’s Weekly. Thomas Nast, who also was the illustrator of our familiar Santa Clause, shows General Jack Frost freezing out the malaria during the Civil War. (Okay, point to Frost.) Finally, he made it into the lyrics of “The Christmas Song”, where the worst he does is nip our noses. (Note that in this song, there is no mention of the devastation he did to boxes 1-35.)
-Susan Marcus
Thank you from the Committee
AMAZING!!
The first word that comes to mind when I think of how the Imperial Towers Community Garden "grew" from an idea to the fully realized beauty of what we all experienced this first year. Having walked the space in 2002 just after moving to Imperial Towers, I remember my first reaction was, "we really need a community garden in this space."
I want to express my gratitude and deep appreciation to the committee and all the gardeners who participated.
Looking forward to 2020!
Sincerely,
Gene Arbetter
co-chair of the Imperial Towers Community Garden Committee
Looking Forward- 2020:
Early Winter 2020: We have been encouraged to seek out another grant for the Imperial Towers Community Garden. Bolstered by the success of our first year, we are hopeful we will be awarded again for the 2020 season to keep up the momentum. Through the successes of our gardeners, we can happily provide a beautiful space for peaceful observation to the greater Imperial Towers community. Fingers crossed we are awarded again this year!
Feb 15th- Season 2 First Newsletter to be published!
March 2, 7:00pm - Season 2 Seed Swap and Plot Leasing: all gardeners should plan to attend. We will pay dues & sign rules to officially lease our plots for the 2020 growing season.
March 2-15: Rules need to be signed and turned in. Dues must be paid
Mixology With Herbs: Gin
Gin--The most usual production method for gin is to distill botanicals, such as juniper, coriander, citrus peel, cinnamon, almond or licorice, with neutral grain alcohol. Making gin is like flavoring vodka, except that botanicals are always natural.
From its earliest origins in the Middle Ages, the drink has evolved from a herbal medicine to an object of commerce in the spirits industry. Gin drinking in England rose significantly after the government allowed unlicensed gin production, and at the same time imposed a heavy duty on all imported spirits such as French brandy. This created a larger market for poor-quality barley that was unfit for brewing beer, and in 1695-1735 thousands of gin-shops sprang up throughout England, a period known as the Gin Craze.
Because of the low price of gin, when compared with other drinks available at the same time, and in the same geographic location, gin began to be consumed regularly by the poor. Of the 15,000 drinking establishments in London, not including coffee shops and drinking chocolate shops, over half were gin shops. Beer maintained a healthy reputation as it was often safer to drink the brewed ale than unclean plain water. Gin, though, was blamed for various social problems, and it may have been a factor in the higher death rates which stabilized London's previously growing population. The negative reputation of gin survives today in the English language, in terms like "gin mills" or the American phrase "gin joints" to describe disreputable bars, or "gin-soaked" to refer to drunks. The epithet "mother's ruin" is a common British name for gin, the origin of which is the subject of ongoing debate.
Lavender Bees Knees
Ingredients
● 1 1⁄2 shots Gin
● 1⁄2 shot lavender honey syrup
● 3⁄4 shot lemon juice
Lavender Honey Syrup
● 1⁄4 cup honey
● 1⁄8 cup hot water
● 1 tsp lavender flower dry or 2 tsp fresh lavender sprigs
Combine hot water, honey and stir until mixed. Add lavender, stir, and let sit 30 minutes. Strain out the lavender.
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker full of ice (or glass). Shake vigorously (or stir). Strain into a cocktail glass (or not) and garnish with a lavender sprig (optional).
Rosemary Gin Fizz
Ingredients
● 1⁄4 cup Gin
● 2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice
● 1 Tbsp Rosemary Simple Syrup
● Cold Club Soda
Directions
In a tall glass, stir the gin, lemon juice and Rosemary Syrup. Fill the glass halfway
with ice; top with club soda. Garnish with fresh Rosemary sprigs (optional).
Ask Rose
Dear Rose,
I know nights are getting frosty and soon it will snow, but I'm look for a way to fill my free time now that the ITCG is closed for the season. What can I do?
Thanks for your help,
Feeling Frosty
Dear Feeling Frosty,
There are a few things you can do while the garden lies in wait of spring. First, you can check out the Community Events around you to look for gardening related classes, lectures, and other events. An event at an area botanical garden may satiate your green thumb for a while.
Also, you may fine solace in planning. The Farmer's Almanac predicts the last spring frost on April 18th. We will have an estimated 193 day growing season before the first frost on October 29th. That's 27 weeks, it's 6 months, or 4 time spans of spinach growth from seed to maturity.
Last month, I noted some methods for planting spring flower bulbs. You could also start planning for your first planting in the spring. Some plants happy to endure chilly spring temperatures include, broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, and onions. Make a schedule for starting seeds on your windowsill in March.
The final thing you should do is to keep an eye out for more information about our Seed Swap on March 2nd, 2020. Take stock of what you have on hand and make a list of what you're interested in acquiring at the swap!
Hopeful for next year,
Rose
Comments