This past weekend on my farm
I've been traveling quite a bit lately and it was very pleasant to spend some time this past weekend at home in Bedford. Unfortunately, Saturday was a washout, but it was still great to survey the grounds and note the changes. As stated last week, the autumn colors are not so vibrant this season due to tar spot fungus and various mildew problems. However, there is still much beauty to be found. I have always been a firm believer that a well-planned landscape is one that looks great at all times of the year. I am happy to report that the changes I have made to this farm reflect that belief.
1 An overall view of the farm taken with an overcast sky.
2 Even with an overcast sky, the fall colors were aglow.
3 This is the little house where my basket collection is stored. The ferns in the foreground are browning.
4 The climbing hydrangeas have gotten very full and tall over this past summer.
5 I had this pergola built to provide shade for many of my potted plants, which are now inside the greenhouse for the winter.
6 I call this my Japanese garden - the structure behind is my cold frame, which is planted with lettuce and herbs.
7 My beehives are still very active, as the bees prepare for the cold weather ahead.
8 I never tire of taking this shot.
9 This is the equipment barn behind a row of pin oak trees.
10 A brightly colored black gum tree next to my patio
11 Saturday was a very rainy day - the clouds were rolling quickly.
12 This orange-leafed beech tree is planted near the summer house.
13 A glowing ginkgo biloba
14 The fan-shaped leaves are so delicate.
15 The leaves of an American buckeye
16 My newly planted Japanese maple grove - the trees are adjusting very nicely.
17 A bright yellow maple tree
18 A grove of upright maples
19 This is a metasequioa dawn redwood - it drops its needles in the autumn.
20 A close up of its needles turning brown before dropping
21 A wild thistle growing in the wetlands and a very happy bee
22 A thistle flower that has gone to seed to be carried with the wind
23 A woodland fern now bronze
24 A grouping of October Glory maple trees planted in one of the meadows
25 I love this contrast of color and texture.
26 The gnarly roots of what once was a tree, clinging to the bank of a streamlet.
27 Bright colors against a Norway spruce
28 This is a late-blooming flower called monk's hood - it's very beautiful, but a very poisonous plant.
29 The bright red glow of a burning bush
30 The vibrant green hostas are now glowing yellow.
31 A photography experiment - focus here....
32 And focus there
Beautiful photographs! I am envious of all your rows of ferns!
Posted by: Candylei | October 27th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Good morning Martha!
Breathtaking photos, I love the beauty of nature and appreciate it, picture #8 is sure an amazing view. I've never seen a ginkgo biloba tree wow it has beautiful leaves. Martha all your photos are amazingly beautiful. Nature is so miraculous because it is always changing and can bring a lot of beauty into our lives.
Thank you for sharing!
God bless
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | October 27th, 2009 at 1:30 am
A lovely photo series, Martha. Beautiful essay on a remarkable landscape in seasonal transition----something we don't really see here in Southern California. (But it's hard to resist our sunny, warm extended autumn days. . . .)
It will be really interesting to follow the growth of your Japanese Maple collection.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | October 27th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi Martha,
I think it would be impossible to tire of taking photographs of your home, it always looks so beautiful. We strive for a garden that looks good all year long and I try as hard as I can to copy some of the ideas that you have like using grasses in pots.
I am very excited as I have just filled in the form for tickets to see a taping of your show. Mum and I will be over from the UK and I would love to be able to see the show taped live and to meet you. Fingers crossed.
Hope you are well.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | October 27th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Martha, I love your blog site, I have followed you for quite a few years, in Zimabawe through your magazines and lately in Australia. I live on the Central Coast, NSW. I love the pictures of your farm and am amazed with how you have structured your landscapes..
Posted by: Meredith Fischer | October 27th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Martha, number 25 is one of the most beautiful pictures I've seen. It has a kind of ethereal/delicate look to it. It looks as if it was painted by a master's hand. Well, it was...the Greatest Master of all, but you saw the beauty and took the picture. I would love to have it enlarged and framed and have it hanging in a place where I could look at it every day.
Your whole farm is beautiful.
I haven't been able to see your show since all the TV changes were made, even with the converter box, and I miss it, so I'm glad I can read your Blog each day.
Thanks, Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | October 27th, 2009 at 8:01 am
When can I visit?
Posted by: tasha | October 27th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Just Beautiful!
Posted by: April | October 27th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Martha, there's nothing worse than gloomy skies during peak fall colors! I'm having the same problem down here in Williamsburg. Your pictures are still lovely though.
Posted by: how it grows | October 27th, 2009 at 8:59 am
It is my opinion that a different sky hovers over your Bedford farm! I don’t believe I have ever seen an overcast sky of the exact color shown in picture #1. It looks like a shade of your Everyday Christmas Twilight collection at Kmart. Golly Moses what a beautiful picture but they are all gorgeous and what a cute little house for your baskets. I’m guessing you have a lot of baskets. I think the view in picture #2 is quite spectacular also and it must look great from inside the house. When I look outside my house I see fences and not a well-planned landscape like yours so I do love seeing your pictures.
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I think you did a darn good job with your focus experiments. I’m going to have to try that. I wonder what that monk’s hood up close against that great sky in the background would have looked like but maybe too much of the same color group.
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Thanks Martha and whoever doesn’t see these pictures are really missing out! I’m going to Tweet this blog right now! Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 27th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Beautiful photos Martha. You are a lucky lady
Thanks for sharing part of your life with us.
Posted by: Amanda | October 27th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Your Bedford farm is so beautiful - even on an overcast, rainy day! It must be very difficult to leave when you travel!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | October 27th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Marth, This is truly nature at its finest. Even with the overcast I can see the beauty! Simply breathtaking!!
Posted by: Deb | October 27th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I pass by your farm every day on my way to my daughter's school and I love the colors in your neighborhood this time of the year. I once spent the morning taking pictures all along the roads in Bedford and Katonah, stopping by Caramoor.
Lovely area to get lost in these days.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I think overcasted days are better days to take photos anyway....
Posted by: karen | October 27th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi, Martha! Experiencing a lovely fall here in PA, also! Very nice photos of your home. Getting ready for your show today that's about to start!
Posted by: Hayley | October 27th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Beautiful pictures, Martha, thank you for sharing. My father, who was an avid gardener all his life, also believed in planning for all seasons, and we all got great pleasure in watching the variations in beauty as his garden evolved through the year.
Posted by: Kate | October 27th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Martha, I so miss living back east with the lovely fall colors, your photos are amazing and on another note, I want to thank you again for taking time to talk to my daughter Courtney at your book signing in Carlsbad, it truly made her day and it was meant to be that one day she would meet one of her "idols"! Maybe there is room in the future for Courtney on the Food Network! Thanks for being so gracious!
Posted by: Linda Lou | October 27th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Hi MARTHA, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR MAKING MY DAY . . .YOU ARE CERTAINLY BLESSED. . .
REGARDS, NINA
Posted by: nina zeumer | October 27th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I'm a huge fan & I appreciate all ur work. I love love love ur farm. They've inspired me to start my own organic farm. I'm a vegan so the animals wouldn't be eaten, just loved & observed. Thanks 4 sharing so much of ur wisdom & knowledge. I'm a better person because of all the wonderful things I've learned from watching & listening 2 u. I hope some day 2 b on ur show creating some fine vegan glueten free cuisine;)
Ur the best!
Taunya
Posted by: Taunya von Feldt | October 27th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Thank you Martha for these pretty photographs, they are inspiring.
Your site and your blog are very useful for me, because I am a mom of 3 young boys.
Annie, Laval, Quebec
Posted by: Annie | October 27th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I'm curious, what type of post was used for the pergola?
Posted by: Mary Jo | October 27th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Simply lovely! I am currently between homes so the photos make me nostalgic to be moved into my new home (soon i hope). I agree..it's nice to plan the landscape so it looks delightful at all times of the year.
Posted by: sherey | October 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Man, I wish I could be there.
Posted by: Amy | October 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Simply Beautiful!
Posted by: MaLinda | October 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Hi Mary Jo,
The posts are 18th century granite from China.
Thanks for your question!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | October 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hi Martha...beautiful pictures of your home. I love your show but unfortunately haven't watched in awhile. Would actually like to know what network here in canada shows your program. I live in Calgary, Alberta. Thank you so much for all the years of great tv. God Bless.
Posted by: Rachel Bell | October 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Hello Martha. Beautiful photos, and you have a wonderful farm. On my "farm" I had a small garden this year that didn't do very well.
I purchased 6 one week old chicks in April of this year, and most of them are now laying wonderful eggs. I have photos of them, my okra, and the eggs on my blog if you would like to take a look. There is, also, a VERY funny chicken story with photos on there. http://handmadediva.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Edna | October 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Dear Martha,
Thanks for posting these lovely photographs of your magnificent grounds and plantings. I live just north of you and I see a lot of the same color changes. As a matter of fact, last Friday after lunching with friends in Tarrytown, I took the scenic Route 22 all the way from Sleepy Hollow, NY to Southeast, NY just to enjoy the fall beauty! I waved as I passed your home, did you see me?? hehe
You have inspired me to take my camera out on the next sunny day to capture this wonderful change of color for soon it shall all be gone as winter sets upon us.
Have a wonderful Fall!
Posted by: Suzanne from Southeast, NY | October 27th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Good Morning Martha!
I just love looking at your beautiful farm photos! From every season just breathtaking! I'm 20 years old and i have just begun the love for plants in the garden! Eventually i will have my own home to personalize! I look up to you and the great Woman you are, you inspire people to be who they are! You give each person the confidence to do many projects around the home! Thank you so much for continuing to do what you do! I will always be following your ideas and help other and animals just like you do! Take care Martha!! I'll be inspired everyday way over here in BC Canada!
Posted by: Brittany Hill | October 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Hi Martha,
Love the gorgeous pictures, especially the close-ups! You have a beautiful property there...
Posted by: Carla | October 27th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I see a bear in the last picture. Be careful!
Posted by: Alan in New Orleans | October 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
More lovely photos of your home in the fall--many thanks Martha. I love the pediment-shaped tops to your bee hives. Strangely, a huge silver Maple in front of my upstate home is more orange than it's usual yellow this year. We think the increased rainfall may have brightened some species here. The hickory trees that grow nearby are always spectacular bright, bright orange-reds and a salmony pink.
Posted by: Nicolas Ricketts | October 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I agree! Photo Number 25 is the lovelies. It has a cool and surprising lightness along with wonderful autumn colors. The tree on the left is especially beautiful with its red tipped yellow leaves. Martha, do consider making this photo into a jigsaw puzzle for your fans. In fact, how about 6 jigsaws of your Bedford seasons? I'd happily buy them !
Posted by: Penny | October 27th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Martha,
Thank You for sharing your beautiful pictures of your farm. I enjoy looking at the changes that nature brings your way.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." -Frank Lloyd Wright
Posted by: Blandina Aguayo (Salt Lake City, UT) | October 27th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
These photos are simply glorious, and I can plainly see the structure you've created with some of YOUR plantings/introductions to the farm overall. I've never noticed the pin oaks before, but today I sure did! Your split-rail fencing lends structure, too (I've always said that), but, to me, it's as charming to look at as the rest of the 'greenery'!
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I wondered if we'd see any hosta revelations this fall, and sure enough, voila! Mine have turned the same color as yours, and interestingly enough, the transformation has seemingly happened practically overnight! In years past, I would've scurried out the door to get that foliage cut off and the bed tidied up, but this year, I'm actually enjoying the golden hues equivocally as the turning foliage on the trees.
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(Speaking of which...) Last week I mentioned that our (Maryland) autumn had been, so far, lackluster in the color-palette category. Well, since that previous post -- my goodness-gracious, everything has metamorphosed into all these beautiful colors, and again, overnight, it seems! We are now enjoying the peak in all of fall's glory!
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I'm glad, Martha, you were able to have some down-time there at your farm over the weekend. 'Jet-set girl' that you are (even if you're just up-the-east-coast-bound), I'm sure your farm helps you to catch your breath and provides a quiet respite many times when you're seeking that. Your place is gorgeous, and what a true blessing it is to be its steward and caretaker for this era. A heartfelt thank you for sharing it freely and generously with us!
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'Til tomorrow, my Martha friend,
=^..^=
~
(I have ALWAYS loved today's garden tho't - you'll get a chuckle out of it, too:)
"My primary objection to gardening is that by the time my back gets used to it, my enthusiasm is gone."--Anonymous
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 27th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Seasonsonal, Breathtaking ,colorfull photos of your farm and home..They are theraputic to the mind and soul...Martha my dear husband Gerald 64 (43 yrs maried) has cancer ,he for shure enjoys the scenery !!!It bring us both some peacefull thought ... He's having chimio treatments and we take it one treatment at the time ... Sincerely, Martha thank you for the caring person that you are !!! Your a someone we would like as a Mother a Daughter a spouse a Friend a Grand-mother a God-mother and more ...We apreciate your show it's so versatile informative very caring, there's something for everyone ...Thank you & take care always JoJo (63 yrs)
Posted by: JoJo | October 27th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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Nice to see the landscape work you've done through a walk you took in the Saturday gray growlies.
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I'm still in the days of photographing with a Voigtlander accordion camera and manual Minolta. If I remember, from photo years gone by, the smaller the f stop, the greater the depth of field and the selective focusing is created with a wide aperture.
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Enjoy painting with flash some night. Tripod a manual camera on the moon and put your f stop to bulb-wide open. Your photo will be of the moon traveling across the night.
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Digital? I'll find time when my rocking chair calls. Right now I don't have patience for reading bibles of books. Instructions... instructions...let me go walking, instead, with nothing to read but a duck's call!
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Posted by: Andrea Spencer | October 27th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
What a treat to see your dawn redwood. I bought one several years ago at a Master Gardener's sale. Everyone thought I was crazy and said it would never grow here in Zone 5. It was about 10 inches tall at the time and now five years later it towers above me at about 15-20 feet. Great trees -- I was tickeled to see yours.
Posted by: Jan | October 27th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Lovely, lovely farm Martha. I have a small 5 acre country home that I enjoy very much. The colors, the seasons, even the bad stuff like bugs and fungus!
Posted by: Cheryl | October 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Martha, your farm is so beautiful. I would like to see the horses grazing about. How much time to you get to spend with them? Are you planning thanksgiving at the barn again?
Posted by: Lorretta Johnson | October 27th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Martha...
Beautiful photos! Interested in knowing what variety of climbing hydrangeas you have. Love your show!
Thanks.
Joan
Posted by: Joan Jerpe | October 27th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Hi Martha
Your pictures of Falls are so beautiful.. I always love the changing colors of leaves. I find them so amazing that leaves can change to red, orange, yellow and they do that only in Falls. I wish they just stay that way all year long and the leaves won't fall off.. Isn't it wonderful to have these colors instead of just green? Green is good but with colors is very much better.. *Smile*
Regards
Lilian
Posted by: Lilian | October 27th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Martha My Dear,love the pics,but did not see any atv or motorbike paths!!!Just fooling around;I`m by wawayanda state park, so there are so many colors to see,but now seems to be getting near early winter up on the mountains,but my japanese dogwoods are nice and red and the berries are all ripe and edible,taste a little like peaches!Like to see your pics in the spring and maybe some hints on early garden startups. Getting a little ahead of myself,but do you snowmobile on the farm?keep taking those great pics!!!!
Posted by: N.Rudy | October 27th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Absolutely beautiful and very peaceful.
Thanks for sharing! You're the best!
Posted by: patty blum | October 27th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Hi Rachel, You should be able to watch Martha on CBC.
Martha, Thank you for sharing your beautiful farm with all of us.
Posted by: Lisa Nugent | October 27th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I love numbers 10 and 11. Photos taken on gray days tend to make the colour in the landscape 'pop' more, I think. They aren't bleached out by the sun and look highlighted against the neutral tone. This is a lovely set!
Posted by: andrew ritchie | October 27th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Hi Martha, WOW, these are some of your most vibrant and stunning photos yet. I absolutely love every one of them. About my request for those books...I think you have enough super photos for several by now and I would buy every one. Your farm is always changing and for the better. I am so happy you live there and share so much of your life on this magnificent farm. What a fun show today. Spiders and other great things for Halloween. Loved the segment about the antique kitchen ware. Sure would love to own some of that. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 27th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
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Once More Around The Farm
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With an overcast sky, their colors aglow, all await their turn;
The little house of baskets, nestles in the browning fern.
Stout trees, like Roman senators, girdled by climbing hydrangeas
A flag stoned patio, brightly colored gum, shades of old Tangiers.
Potted plants have vacated the special pergola built for shade
In the Japanese garden, hiding in the cold frame, lettuce n herb are saved.
Happy bees keep collecting whatever is still available while sunny
In autumn many bees stand guard against marauders that steal honey
Numerous glands in various body parts form wax into 'royal jelly.'
All in all the intricacies of the hive is like a well run honey deli.
A rainy day, low ceiling, clouds rolling quickly pushed by a breeze.
Beside the orange beech, shrubs stand watch over ancient apple trees.
Glowing golden leaves, bright red burning bush, newly planted groves.
The distinct splendor of deciduous trees, leaves falling in droves.
A wild thistle growing in the wetlands is awaiting seed dispersal;
Beautiful late blooming flower, very poisonous, that's universal.
Who has a home under the gnarled roots on the bank of a wee stream?
As it clings there does it remember it was once a tree? Oh to dream.
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Still smiling.
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Posted by: celia stock | October 28th, 2009 at 12:09 am
hi martha
Posted by: Kaustubh Narkhede | October 28th, 2009 at 2:13 am
and when are we allowed to visit? I can't imagine how you could ever want to leave this place... heaven.
Posted by: Deb | October 28th, 2009 at 3:29 am
The fog and gray skies combined with the split-rail fencing and stately buildings all look like I imagine an earlier time. Thank you.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | October 28th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Your farm is absolutely gorgeous. I have dreams about a place like this! Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Johanna Inman | October 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Spectacular shots! Captivating frame of photograpy work.
Posted by: Becky HK | October 28th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
What a beautiful farm! The colors and the scenery are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Angela T. | October 28th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
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Clap, clap, clap, Celia!
A crossword puzzle of thoughts conjures the love into beautiful blocks of words!
Smiling too, just beyond those rich wooden fences... in splayed finger handlock... holding rooted vigil, as guard to the mistress within.
ajs
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Posted by: andreaandweims on Twitter | October 29th, 2009 at 12:47 am
I love your photos, wonderful
Posted by: Marie Lithén | October 29th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Dear Martha,
Thank you for the photos. They are beautiful.
I have watched your show for years. I also
subscribe to Everyday Food. It has helped me
be much more confident in the kitchen. Thank you for all that you do.
Posted by: TARA | October 29th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
You are so very fortunate! Your property is like an American fairy tale.
Posted by: Sonya | October 29th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Dear Martha, my deepest admiration for all your good work. Congratulations! And may God always bless you for doing such beautiful things and sharing them with all of us. LoL, Suri
Posted by: Suri | November 20th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Oh! and have a lovely Thanksgiving!!!!!
Posted by: Suri | November 20th, 2009 at 1:48 pm