In this episode, part 2 of the “It's All Greek Retrospective” series, Master Gardener Jean Thomas talks about jargon and acronyms with the help of some examples from our own New York gardens. These previously aired short segments have been grouped together as they all focus on a common topic: helping to better understand gardening nomenclature.

From the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptrostroboides) to the vast Iris family, nicknames and descriptions abound. The Latin name of the Dawn Redwood is great and grand, but when translated, it turns out to be fancy words that repeat themselves. Iris fanciers discuss the German or the Russian or the Dutch or the Japanese types and rave about their standards and their falls. 'Standards' are the three upright and 'falls' are the three down-facing petals. Part of the fun is peeking into the mythology surrounding Iris. Did you know that the Harpies, famously terrible, were related to the famously beautiful goddess of the rainbow?

The next two segments focus specifically about other perennials we know and love. Echinacea is named for a hedgehog (which has no population in North America where the Echinacea was “found”). Hemerocallis is Latin for “Beauty for a Day,” although we commonly call it the “Daylily.” Hostas also have identity issues, being often called Funkias in Europe. Peonies have a long history in China as well as some wild mythological rumors in Greece about Zeus and his shenanigans. And while the Greeks are being discussed, there is a wonderful story about the famous doctor Asclepias and how the milkweed got its formal name.

The very last segment of this episode delves into the common Rudbeckia and Phlox, both of which have a habit of traveling because of their prolific seed production. Then the episode goes to the Dutch... language, that is. The Dutch nation has always been at the forefront of garden development and production. , And the Hudson Valley of New York State has a special connection going back four centuries. Food names, place names and historical characters call the Hudson Valley home, like the Roosevelts and Van Burens and even Sojourner Truth in her unique way.

Listen, learn, and enjoy! Host: Jean Thomas Guest:Jean Thomas Photo By: Jean Thomas Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources

Are you bewildered by botanical names, typically in Latin, the jargon, or the acronyms surrounding gardening and most other outdoors activities? This series, It's All Greek Retrospective, consists of previously aired podcast segments that provide some insightful descriptions in an attempt to untangle such language puzzles so we can all use the terms as intended... to describe things more accurately.

In this first of three episodes, Master Gardener Jean Thomas discusses a variety of issues and questions about language. Some of the terminology we pretend to understand is reviewed in the first segment. Things like GMO and IPM are decoded, and what is it when scientists talk about a plant's habit? What does it mean if a tomato is described as determinate? And the whole idea of using Latin can be a puzzle.

Jean explains all of these, The second segment goes more deeply into the whole idea of Latin as the international scientific language. Why Latin? And the credit that goes to Carl Linnaeus for devising the system known as binomial nomenclature. Like any other system, it gets bogged down with “improvements.” Taxonomy is the name for the whole system described by binomial nomenclature, and the history of the science of taxonomy is fascinating. For instance, minerals don't get included because the final decision was that only living things can be included. Basically, the assigning of a formal Latin name means that the plant described is always the same plant, not just another with a similar popular name. The third segment delves into how particular use of names can describe color as part of the formal identity. Often the formal name can give a physical description, but also can describe a dominant color. The history buffs enjoy such items as the origin of the phrase “royal purple” and how it came from the ancient Phoenicians and the rare dye they developed from a particular type of sea snail.

This is a digression from plants, but a great example of the use and history of language. Another issue cropping up recently is the use of DNA. Scientists keep reallocating plants to different species and categories according to DNA interrelations that were previously unknown. Clarifications can be confusing.

We hope you find this episode both enlightening and informative.

Host: Jean Thomas Guest: Jean Thomas Photo by; Jean Thomas Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources

In this episode, Master Gardener Volunteer Nicole Schmitt of Hannacroix Hill Farm chats with Tim and Jean about her career as a flower farmer. Like so many stories in recent years, her interest in flower gardening came about as a result of the pandemic. Constrained in many ways, Nicole moved to a farm with a few acres and began to achieve many goals. In a previous episode, Tim and Jean talked with Nicole about her mini-farm, which incorporates the flower farm. The flower growing evolved from a hobby garden to a business when she introduced herself to her new neighbors at Hannacroix Hill Farm by going to their doors with home-grown bouquets.

The hobby became a dream and then a mission. Nicole pursued her career adamantly, studying online classes and joining professional organizations. She even went through the rigorous Master Gardener Volunteer training. Nicole undertook the project very seriously. As she says, “setting up is NOT cheap.” A phenomenal amount of preparation and equipment was mandatory. Preordering seed and plugs must be coordinated and planned to coincide with harvest times. Different crops must not only be chosen for color and hardiness, but timed for holidays and special occasions. Some species are very difficult to grow, or have extremely long growing seasons. The grower must know a great deal about individual floral crops, and plan their care accordingly. Cool weather flowers are treated differently than tulips or sunflowers. The grower must always give thought to coordinating multiple kinds of flowers simultaneously, since the goal is most often to produce mixed bouquets for the markets.

Given the need for extensive planning, much thought must be given to the growing areas. Nicole uses outdoor row planting to the maximum, but also extends the growing seasons with a hoop house and a high tunnel structure, and starts seeds under lights indoors, along with hydroponic systems and bulb forcing. Like any other type of gardening, the flower farmer must be alert for insect and disease pests.

Hannacroix Hill Farm practices organic methods as much as possible. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is the main system of keeping the crops healthy. Minimal chemicals are used, so constant watch is essential, along with as much sustainable soil regeneration as can be done to maintain the health of the soil. Fortunately, the “other” farm produces unlimited compost and reduces the need for additional fertilizer from outside sources. The work is constant and unrelenting, with the aim to be self-sustaining as much as possible. Nicole describes this as the “grit” work that produces the luxury. Constant research and study go into the effort. Things like introducing more native plants and more perennial plants for repeat harvests are worked into the repertoire, and local demand is always considered. Harvesting processes can vary widely among flower crops.

Flowers are sold mostly retail through CSAs, at farm stands and farmer's markets, with a growing call from restaurants for table vases, which florists are beginning to fill some of the gaps from imported flowers. Other flower farmers are popping up everywhere. Many join associations to learn from and support the community of growers. Greene County has about twenty association members, but there may be many more. To find a flower farmer in your own area, Nicole advises that you go online to the association of cut flower growers website at localflowers.org and find an organization member in your zip code. Or, of course, go to a nearby farmer's market.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Nicole Schmitt

Photo by: Jean Thomas

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas