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1/2#  fresh organic carrots (with or without tops)
1 cup of organic brown or white rice
2.5 (2 for brown rice) cups of water or veggie/meat stock
1 shallot
1 tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter), or olive oil

*optional: baby spring greens (kale, mizuna, baby bok choy)

Handful of fresh parsley
Pinch of sea salt
A bit of fresh ground Pepper
Small saucepan with lid
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Wash and scrub carrots. Dry completely (this is important for browning in the pan later). Slice into half inch slices on the diagonal. And set aside. I carrots have tops, chop those up too and

Completely wash and rinse parsley. Chop finely and set aside.

Heat oil over medium heat in a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet until shimmering on the surface. Add carrots and shallots in single layer, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top, and cook. After two minutes. Check to ensure they are not burning, then continue to cook until carrots brown on one side – about 5 more minutes. At this point, add the baby greens, if you’re using them. Stir to distribute oil and flip carrots to other side. Cook for 5 more minutes, or until second side of carrots is brown and greens have wilted, but are still a bit firm.

In the meantime, rinse the rice in small saucepan until the water runs clear. Drain rice completely, and add water or stock for cooking. Add pinch of salt stir, and place pan over medium-high heat. Add lid to pot and cook until rice boils. Stir again, lower heat, and continue cooking rice until done.

Check the carrots. Once they are well-browned and soft, turn off heat and add a cracked pepper and parsley. They sometime dry out in cooking, and may need more oil. If so, add and stir to mix.

Once rice is done, plate into bowl. Add carrot mixture. Sometimes I like to top with a squeeze of lemon or a bit of a tahini/olive oil/lemon mixture. Enjoy!

Saturday May 4th 2pm-Makers Unite NY (ages 7+)
First meeting of the kids DIY group- join other kids in learning cool DIY skills such as kite and rocket making

Sunday May 5th 11am-Community Planting Day (all ages)
462 Halsey is hosting its first community planting event.  Open to the public, this event is a chance for the neighbors to gather together and plant produce for communal harvesting.  Help us get collards, tomatoes and other yummies into the ground to be harvested later and shared throughout the community.

Sunday May 12th 11am-Story Time and Activity (ages 3+)462 Halsey will host this biweekly reading time for young children and provide an enriching activity afterward based on the theme of the day.

Saturday May 18th 10:30am-Rainwater Harvesting Workshop (adult)
This hands-on workshop will take you through all the steps involved in building a basic rain harvesting system! Learn about:

• The importance of water conservation
• Good surface areas from which to catch rain
• Where to put your rain harvesting system
• What materials are needed for your system
• How to put your system together
• How to maintain your system

 RSVP is required. To register, contact Wilfredo at wflorentino@citizensnyc.org / 212-822-9568. Space is limited!

 Sponsored by the generous support of the National Grid Foundation.

Saturday May 25th 3pm-Analyzing Urban Soil Workshop (adult)Learn the basics of how to describe and analyze urban soils scientifically using your senses and low-cost equipment (for example, trowels, spades, field pH kit, color charts, and vinegar). There will be a brief introduction to what soils are and how they work. Emphasis will be on figuring out and interpreting soil properties like soil color, texture, pH, structure, and rough carbonate content.

Sunday May 26th 11am-Story Time and Activity (ages 3+)
462 Halsey will host this biweekly reading time for young children and provide an enriching activity afterward based on the theme of the day.

Sunday May 26th 12pm-Pest Control DIY Workshop (all ages)
Learn how to manage garden pests with easy, all natural, Do-It-Yourself solutions

Have a workshop idea? Email us at 462halsey@gmail.com

Do you like learning new stuff just for fun?

Then come hang out with other kids like you!

Makers Unite NY will be meeting at 462 Halsey on the first Saturday of every month. The club is based around the DIY.org website  where kids complete challenges to earn badges.

First meeting will be May 4th at 2pm — for more details visit facebook.com/MakersUniteNY!

+ New York is in USDA Zone 6. This means we are safe from frost after April 15th. After this date, you can begin planting certain seeds that need to be sown directly in the soil (check the package to see which ones can be sown like this). Planting after the 15th ensures your seedlings are safe from perishing in the frost.

+ You can begin planting before April 15, however! Check seed packages to determine which plants can be started indoors. There are several methods for starting plants indoors, depending on what you want to grow. I’ve had success planting herb and small vegetable seedlings (salad greens) on a sunny windowsill in old egg cartons, which can then be planted directly into the soil when it comes time –  the carton will biodegrade into the earth. Lots of folks use plastic seedling trays to get started. Do what works for you – and make sure to follow sunlight and watering directions! Not sure what to plant?

+ Remember that 462 Halsey is an organic garden. That means we use no pesticides/fertilizers or chemicals that are harmful for humans and the environment – not even so-called “organic” ones. But what if your plant is in the ground and looks like it needs some TLC? Consider using compost to boost the fertility of your plot’s soil. Also, are you watering your plants enough? Are they suited for the amount of sunlight your plot receives? Troubleshoot first.

+ Helpful resources: about.com’s gardening section, Hudson Valley Seed Library, smartgardener.com 

The fundraiser will take place this Saturday, February 23 from 5pm-8pm at Progressive Pilates Williamsburg, (169 Wythe Ave.)

We are asking for a suggested donation of $10-$20 for the Hatttiesburg, MS tornado victims which can be paid through a paypal account:
email address hall.stacyL@gmail.com
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online

or you can pay at the door!

If you are looking to build raise beds for your community garden and are in need of free lumber, check out Build It Green!  With an easy and fast application process, Build it Green has made it possible for 462 Halsey Community Garden to reconstruct our garden beds this season!

We look forward to a great and productive year!

We will be there from 11-4pm if any of you folks are interested in lending a hand!