A late season garden tour at my farm
It's a little late in the season to be showing my garden, however, on Tuesday, a large group from The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York paid a visit. They had wanted to come earlier in the summer, but for some reason, those plans fell through. The focus of The Native Plant Center is to educate people about the importance of wildflowers and native plants of the Northeast. A very large group had signed up to come and we divided it into a morning and afternoon tour. Here are photos taken at the afternoon session. Please enjoy.
1 This is the afternoon group from The Native Plant Center.
2 The tour bus arrived promptly at 1:30.
3 Susie Ercole, my executive assistant, greeted the group and handed out maps of my farm.
4 This is Frank, one of the guards on my security team.
5 Shaun, my gardener, is very comfortable giving garden tours.
6 Strolling through the allée of lindens to the stables
7 My horses always enjoy sharing their space.
8 Betsy, my stable manager, is speaking with Darrin Duling, the director of The Native Plant Center.
9 Meindert pays a friendly hello.
10 Martyn enjoying the attention
11 Well, hello there!
12 After walking through the stables, the group was directed up the carriage road.
13 Shaun is pointing to some very old sugar maple trees.
14 Such as this one
15 Curiously, this pumpkin took the liberty growing in my daffodil border. I can't wait to see the yield.
16 Jacqui Bergonzi is proudly showing her boots.
17 They are faux bois garden boots from the old Martha By Mail catalog, which I miss terribly.
18 In case you're wondering what the peony bed looks at this time of year
19 The tour stopped at my courtyard for refreshments.
20 Laura Acuna, my housekeeper, made her famous herbal iced tea punch. There were also chewy molasses cookies.
21 The courtyard is filled with tropical plants, such as this aloe surrounded by succulents.
22 The spines of the aloe
23 An old hairy man cactus
24 This is a pretty blooming escheveria.
25 A combination of hairy and spiny
26 Vivaldi was sound asleep, on his back, when he was startled by all the commotion.
27 The variegated liriope grass is blooming - a big attraction for bees.
28 The Japanese anemones are so beautiful right now.
29 After refreshments, the group wandered down to the vegetable garden.
30 I am so please with how well my edamame are doing this year.
31 Look at the fuzzy pods. They're quite delicious.
32 These are yard-long beans growing on pyramid forms.
33 They're long, but not quite a yard.
34 My lettuce bed is growing strong.
35 If you look closely, the basil flowers are covered with honey bees - should be delicious honey this year.
36 A healthy crop of celeriac
37 The celeriac bulbs will make delicious soup.
38 My papery tomatillos will make excellent salsa.
39 An Italian style pepper
40 A hot chocolate pepper
41 Next stop - the greenhouse
Photos By Eliad Laskin
I just loved being a part of the Native Plant Center group thru your wonderful pictures. I believe in the education of native species for our area too. I loved the horses and they really enjoyed the attention. Your gardens are doing beautifully despite all the rain we had. Thanks for sharing this event with us. I love your blog.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | September 17th, 2009 at 5:52 am
-- Hi. You're a consummate hostess, M. Late summer & early fall are beautiful. Besides wreaths what can I do with grape vines? Thanks for returning organizing tip & craft "du jour" to home page. --
Posted by: Mina Isham | September 17th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I miss Martha by Mail very much also. Any chance of a return?
Posted by: Judy | September 17th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hi Martha,
You put me to shame with your sago palm and flowering liriope growing so well in your northern state. I've been hesitant to buy a sago palm because the last one I planted didn't get very tall before it browned out, and my liriope have never had blooms like yours. They do get some flowering but not enough to run and get the camera. I guess I'll just have to do some research on the care of those two specimens. Gosh, you have such a green thumb! I can’t wait to see how big your pumpkins get.
~
I look forward to seeing Eric Ripert today at 1:00 p.m. when your show comes on in our area. I watched his PBS show on Saturday, Avec Eric, and found it entertaining. He’s such a whiz in the kitchen – a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and wham, it’s time to eat! He is so calm about everything and never stops smiling! Trish
~
P. S. Those garden clubs are so lucky to be given an opportunity to tour your farm.
Posted by: Trish | September 17th, 2009 at 10:28 am
It is never too late to visit a garden -- even empty raised beds and tangled remains of cucumber vines can be beautiful (with the help of frosty crystals, of course). Yours still looks splendid, even with "harvest season" upon us.
Posted by: Eliza B. | September 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Beautiful farm! I always wanted a house on some farm land!
Posted by: The Perfect Palette | September 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What a beautiful farm!
Posted by: Alyzabeth | September 17th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
4 me the best of the blogs ( i luv them all, tk u), allee, liriope, volunteer pumpkin (i had 1 in my courtyard, someone pulled it out) wonder how urs will grow & produce, my favorite is martyn, what a gorgeous head, a stunningly handsome horse & of course he has a wonderful personality.
Posted by: Charmayne | September 17th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Everything is so beautiful. Lucky people to have been able to see it in person!
Posted by: Teresa | September 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Dear Martha, How wonderful to see the beautiful farm. Thank you.
On a more somber note, please look into the sad state of America's free roaming horses on public lands. I suggest going to a website or two (ex: http://www.thecloudfoundation.org) for a quick visit to learn about the roundup there that just took place, the larger issue of the Bureau of Land Management's outrageous practices and the impending destruction of 33,000 wild horses already in "detention" at BLM which may begin on November 1, 2009.
Please look into this -- I know you have links to horse websites, but many horse lovers already know about it and each and every person who is aware of this is already spending hours and hours everyday contacting Washington and staying up to date.
We need YOU to step up and speak in Washinton, D.C. (see above website for more details on the "Mustanggate" issue.
Thank you, Martha. I am counting on you, since I know you are a horse lover.
Posted by: Janet Ferguson | September 17th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
This is an excellent article about the latest issues regarding the free roaming horses on public lands at their 11th hour! (see my comment, above)
Thank you.
Posted by: Janet Ferguson | September 17th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
oops:
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1046
there are no stories about horse slaughter or fotos that will be scary at this particular article link -- only update on Washington Issues re roundups, etc.
The "slaughter" in the link name is only the larger topic she filed these articles under. Don't hesitate to go to the link due to the word, slaughter. Thank you, and please be brave and learn more about what is happening to America's last wild horses, before it is too late.
I sent a long letter to the Editor-in-Chief of American Heritage Magazine, and have worked untold numbers of hours over the last few weeks to contact my senators, reps, and others in congress (including the subcommittee members who will be marking up the bill, SB 1579 (The ROAM Act) this fall which needs to be passed as it will help our horses.
Posted by: Janet Ferguson | September 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Although the pictures of your farm were great and I wish I could have the chance to visit, the best picture by far was of your cat.
Posted by: Brenda B. Gallaher | September 17th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
vivaldi is such a beautiful cat!
Posted by: jamie in milwaukee | September 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Cantitoe looks fabulous, I love that you are stewarding her so thoughtfully.
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | September 17th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
We miss the old Martha by Mail Catalog, too. Please bring it back!
Posted by: Pamela Newberry | September 17th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hi Martha,
I just love the photies, wow what a setup you have there.
I enjoyed every photo.
Would love a tour someday:-)
Bless yopu
Ken
Posted by: Kenneth Armstrong | September 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
THESE LUCKYLUCKY PEOPLE! Everything looks just great, Martha and what a wonderful afternoon for your garden tour! Gee whiz, there's nothing left for me to say lest I become redundant, as you (all) know how much I love the land, nature, plants, gardening, animals, birds, annnd...(on-n-onnn...)
~
I'm sure before long, you'll be unveiling autumn again (where has summer/this year gone?!) there around your farm. Going home last evening, I noticed juuust a few trees that have been 'nipped' already with spots of color on their crown spread...it's creeping up on us quickly... I want to be tuned-in for the experience - nature's glory!
~
=^..^=
~
"A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love."--Basil
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | September 17th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
.
As the air cools and weeds are skinny tall
The toil of spring plumps up the gourds of fall.
Those who for the summer quietly grieve
Take solace in the beauty of changing leaves.
Larders full of luscious homemade jams n jellies
Busy homemakers hurriedly prepare to fill bellies.
Veggies and berries bagged and packed freezer tight
Except for beautiful tomatoes doomed by the blight
You win some, lose some and some get rained out
Old incy wincy spider keeps climbing up the spout.
So here's to Martha's harvest, long may she reign
We know that no matter the setback she will rise again!
Wonder if the tour people know how lucky they've been?
Not like most of us, on the outside looking in.
0__0
Posted by: celia stock | September 17th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Dear Ms. Stewart,
I was fortunate to be a part of the afternoon tour of your beautiful estate. All aspects of your property are so obviously treated with great care and attention to detail. Shaun was an excellent guide and is obviously a knowledgable young man with a winning personality. The delicious ginger/chocolate chip cookies and punch were a pleasant and welcome addition to the overall perfection of the day. Even being temporarily locked in the bathroom in your potting shed was not enough to ruin a wonderful experience. Thank you for opening your home to us.
With appreciation, Alice Chirevas
Posted by: Alice Chirevas | September 17th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Just a note to say the cover of the recent Fall "Living" is a winner, just right for framing. Thanks.
Posted by: Marlene Godwin | September 17th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Hi Martha, What a lovely afternoon for a delightful tour of your fabulous farm and late summer gardens. How lucky those club members were to have your super gardner Shaun take them all around the farm. How nice it was of your housekeeper to make her delicious refreshments for them to enjoy. All of your gardens looked super and the horses sure seemed to enjoy the attention. I loved the photos, especially the ones of Jacqui Bergonzi showing off her fabulous boots she got from 'Martha by Mail'. I have the same green ones that I bought in 2004 from 'Martha by Mail'. I also wish you would bring it back. Thanks for another wonderful blog. Loved your show again today! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 17th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I surprised to see so many lovely vegetables still doing so well in the garden now it has gotten a bit cooler around here. Is it all organic? Loved the beautiful horses! And that shot of the ice tea punch and cookies says it all...
Posted by: Linda | September 18th, 2009 at 8:28 am
The farm is beautiful. The horse stables are unbelievable. Looks like everyone had a great time. One of these days, I'd love to come up and see your show.
Love looking at the close-up photos.
Posted by: Kim Ross | September 18th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Another vote for missing Martha by Mail and can't it please return!
Posted by: Jan | September 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
You garden certainly looks beautiful despite the summer weather here in the northeast. It's interesting about the pumpkin growing among your daffodils...
On another note about the tomato fungus you mentioned in an earlier blog, I've heard that we shouldn't plant next year's tomato plants in the same area as we did this past summer, as the fungus lives in the soil, and will destroy the plants. I don't know if this is true, just wanted to mention it.
I love the horse stable; Martyn seems to adore the attention he gets!
Posted by: Sherry | September 18th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Well, I wanted to begin with an adverb
but just don't think of one right now.
Thanks so much for sharing your garden with the tour and with all of us on the web.
Sometimes in the early morning hours, I am simply amazed at the wonders we have in this world.
annoyingly, Ann
Posted by: ann | September 19th, 2009 at 6:15 am
I miss Martha By Mail too! Please bring it back.
Posted by: L | September 19th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Everything is so lovely from the linden allee on. Your horses are just gorgeous and I loved all the flowers and cacti. How kind your home is to always have refreshments for your guests. The picture of Vivaldi may be my favorite. My two cats spend hours in my mulberry grove watching birds. I still have kentucky wonder pole beans as I just picked some this morning. As a side note; Celia I loved the poem.
Posted by: Pam from Indiana | September 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Martha, your farm is so beautiful. Can you tell us what you do with your large yields of produce?
The hot chocolate peppers were my favorite shot.
Posted by: maria | September 20th, 2009 at 8:00 am
I live in Woodbridge, Ontario a city just North of Toronto. I was very disappointed that our local CBC network is no longer broadcasting The MArtha Show. It used to air daily @ 1:00pm, it is no longer available. Wondering what happened...so sad
Posted by: maria furlano | September 20th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
So very beautiful! I am inspired every time I visit your site. Please keep up the photos and updates.
Posted by: Emily Aiello | September 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hi Martha,
I have watched your shows for many many years now, and I am so disappointed that our local Fox network WTGS in Georgia is no longer broadcasting your show. Hopefully they will get The Martha Stewart show back on the air Soon.
Would like to take this moment to Thankyou for showing me how to cook, and to get me interested in crafts. I also have a huge vegi garden every year, and plants and flowers that grow like crazy, thanks to your shows.
Posted by: Debbie Ogden | September 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
I LUV your vegi garden. I live on a small beach lot in CA and have only garden boxes my husband built for me with good soil added but get an amazing amount of vegi's. I tell him "you can take the gal out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the gal!"
Posted by: Geri | September 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It's such a lovely garden and I know I'd have enjoyed the tour. I'd be honored if you came to my garden - here in the Phoenix desert. I'll serve you my very favorite Martha Steward Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh peaches and of course, french press - if you like.
You're an inspiration for sure! xx Lylah
Posted by: lylah ledner | September 28th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Thank you for identifying the plants with names. I too have the Japanese Anemones blooming in my garden, but I never knew what they were before. Thank you "Miss Nancy Drew" for solving my Mystery!
Posted by: Cathy Runkle | September 28th, 2009 at 10:20 pm