Behind the scenes of a TV shoot
Alliums, members of the onion family, are beautiful, ball-shaped flowers atop long green stalks. I have always loved growing them for their lovely ornamental value. I have also always dreamed of having an allium border and last Thursday, that dream was actually planted! I felt the perfect place for such a border would be alongside my winding pergola. The existing pergola garden was already densely planted and a new bed would have to be made. Conferring with my garden experts, we decided that it would make a worthy television segment and the crew was scheduled. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and there was a terribly windy storm the entire night before. Weather reports said the storm would last all the next morning and we thought it best to postpone. However, those reports were incorrect and my TV crew scrambled to get to the farm anyway. All the allium bulbs were successfully planted and now I can hardly wait until next spring!
1 Allium are terrific additions to flower borders.
2 They also are great as cut flowers.
3 I've been working with CitiCam for many, many years on field pieces.
4 Gary Nardilla - director of photography and Laurie Hepburn - producer - discussing the scenario
5 Shaun Kass - head gardener - discussing logistics with his crew
6 Gary, Laurie, and Andrea Mason - TV gardener - The sky was very dramatic that morning.
7 Here I am getting briefed.
8 To make the job a whole lot easier, we rented this nifty little machine called a sod cutter.
9 The wheels have major traction.
10 After my brief briefing, I jumped right into the task at hand.
11 The crew was all in position.
12 I wonder how many times I have spoken into a camera lens?
13 As I explained the procedure, Shaun neatly rolled the cut sod.
14 You can see how nicely this machine cuts, leaving roots intact.
15 All of this sod will be used elsewhere on the farm.
16 The border is now wide enough to accommodate all the allium bulbs.
17 However, before planting, the new strip of garden needed to be tilled.
18 This is actually a really fun thing to do.
19 After tilling, the bed was enriched with my beautiful compost, made right here on the farm.
20 Buckets of assorted allium bulbs
21 Shaun is spreading the compost while I am busy planting. The white is organic bonemeal, which is good for the alliums.
22 Sprinkling more bonemeal
23 Gary is always careful to capture every step.
24 It's fun to imagine what this will look like in the spring.
25 Addressing camera A - Addressing camera B
26 After I finished positioning the alliums in this bed, the garden crew took over the planting. It was then off to the greenhouse to shoot the next segment.
27 Mary Curren - hair and makeup artist - on her way to the greenhouse.
Here are the sources:
McClure & Zimmerman: www.mzbulb.com
25 x Allium aflatunense lilac purple/24-26”tall/4” flower heads
50 x Allium aflatunense ‘Purple Sensation’ violet purple/36” tall/4” flower heads
50 x Allium ‘Beau Regard’ soft violet /36-48” tall/basketball size heads
25 x Allium firmament deep purple with silvery anthers/24-32’ tall/5” flower heads
50 x Allium giganteum deep purple/36-48” tall/10” flower heads
25 x Allium ‘Globemaster’ violet purple/24-40” tall/10” flower heads
25 x Allium ‘Lucy Ball’ dark lilac purple/36-48” tall/5” flower heads
25 x Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ silvery lilac/24-28” tall/10’ flower heads
25 x Allium ‘Round & Purple’ purple/32-42” tall/8-12” flower heads
50 x Allium sphaerocephalon ‘Drumsticks’ reddish-purple/30” tall/2” flower heads
The Netherlands Flower Bulb information Center: www.bulb.com
40 x Allium giganteum deep purple/36-48” tall/10” flower heads
30 x Allium stipitatum ‘Mount Everest’ white/30-48” tall/6” flower heads
30 x Allium ‘Gladiator’ rose purple & blue/36-48” tall/8” flower heads
Brent & Becky’s: www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
100 x Allium christophii silvery amethyst-violet/18-30” tall/12” flower heads
K. van Bourgondien: www.kvbwholesale.com
125 x Allium aflatunense ‘Purple Sensation’ lilac purple/24-36” tall/4” flower heads
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Good morning Martha! what a beautiful and neat procedure, thank you for your sources and for this very informative post. You make gardening very easy and enjoyable, love it. Looking forward to seeing the result in Spring.
Bonne chance
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 7th, 2009 at 1:32 am
I commiserate. Like your photography crew, I'm always relying on the weather report, and it is rarely correct. I think the best forecast always ends up to be what you see out your front door.
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | December 7th, 2009 at 7:22 am
I enjoy your show immensely. I got married in May and was laid off 5 days later. Because I am 62, I am now retired. I'm trying to find my niche. I love to do crafts. I intend to make my craft area really organized.
Also, I'd like to start a vegetable/flower garden, but not sure exactly the best way to start. I have no compost. The dirt is awful. I know it will take time to even get something planted. Is this task out of my leaque?
Posted by: Barbara Wilson | December 7th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Barbara, gardening is not out of your league.
Anyone who is courageous enough to start a married life must have what it takes to just start digging in the dirt and throw in a few seeds, water, and nature does the rest.
Congratulations.. I planted alium, too, only about a dozen or so bulbs from K-mart.
Posted by: ann | December 7th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Hi Martha,
Holy cow, that's a lot of bulbs! I can't wait to see how that border turns out - it's going to be fabulous! That sod cutter is really neat too. I could have used something like that when my son threw a firecracker out into the grass one year and it burned up. It was a dry season when we weren’t allowed to sprinkle much. We dug it all up by hand and put down new sod too. What a job!
~
I've always liked your garden episodes so thanks for letting us see how you actually do one with the cameras there and all. As for wondering how many times you have spoken into a camera, it might be easier to figure out how many times you haven’t! Like Susan Sugarman said while ‘trying’ to make a cake with you on camera, “I don’t know how you do this!” (That was a real funny blooper.) Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Martha, Loved the tie log blocks today. I have a great craft for using old silk ties too, for Easter, that has nothing to do with sewing, and everything to do with the Easter Egg!! If interested in the project let me know, it's quick, kid friendly, and lasts forever!! No old smelly Easter Eggs with this one either!! Thanks for the great log idea, as I have collected tons of silk ties to do the eggs, and now I have another craft I can use them for. God Bless, Marie
Posted by: Marie Vaughan | December 7th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hi Martha,
I am searching for some information if allium need bright sunlight locations to be planted in and what is their blooming time. They appear to be planted fairly close together and is December too late to plant them for springtime flowering? This is another wonderful photo segment to see the process. Continued thanks for sharing invaluable information.
Posted by: Becky HK | December 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
A sod cutter is THE tool to use on such a border as yours, Martha. I myself have made a flower bed on a MUCH smaller scale, and as you know after your many years of experience, it can be a backbreaking task, digging shovel by shovel!
~
One of my most favorite garden-sayings that I've used as a postscript on my posts is this particular one: 'What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge on it.' by Charles Dudley Warner. Oh, the humanity! This is so true! How many of us have whined 'oh my achin' back!' after a day in the garden?!! [giggle] Somehow, though, we succumb ourselves to more, and the rewards are so worth it!
~
Your allium border is going to be absolutely fabulous, Martha. (And) now, as wintertime gave us a glimpse this past weekend of what is yet to come before Spring, before we know it, you'll be showing us their tall, gorgeous, and huge chive-like blooms, causing our breath to be taken away!
~
I don't want to wish my life away, but, yeah, I'll be looking forward to it!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Martha is having a great time with her Blog? It's so nice of you to share this aspect of your life Martha Stewart style! Cheers to It.
Posted by: kristin svens | December 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Martha...love that you are 'hands on' to really show and teach us how things are done. Your alliums will look spectacular in such abundance and it will be great fun to see your photos come Spring. Always nice projects going on at your farm.
Posted by: sherey | December 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Hi Martha, I love all of your blogs and especially love the ones of you doing any activity on your wonderful farm. This blog was almost the best one I've seen about you and your farm. Those allium that you planted are absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see how they look along the pergola. What a neat way to remove the sod and also save it for some other area on your farm. I love the rototiller, also. Where did you get that fantastic sod cutter and rototiller? I sure would love to have both tools! Do we get to see your planting project on your TV show soon?! I sure hope so. It kind of reminds me of your planting of all of those evergreen trees. Keep up the great activities. I love to see them all. You are the best. Hope you have fun in Las Vegas tommorrow. Missed your show today and I will see it on line Wed. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Martha, I so enjoy reading your blog and looking behind the scenes. My son is legally blind and one thing he loves to do is to garden. This is one love we both have and we love watching your spots on the show. I DVR it daily while I am in class and he is in class as well. One thing I must say, is that I absolutely love to look at your pictures, I am no expert but your composition is incredible. Sometimes the simple things are the most beautiful. Please keep us updated on the Allium bed!
Posted by: Eireann | December 7th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Great going again Martha. I can't wait to see the results next spring.
Posted by: Edna/HandmadeDiva | December 8th, 2009 at 1:42 am
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First Snow at Canitoe
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Sunday morning, the farm still sleeping had the look of gray,
White coated apple espaliers were beautiful and blushing pink.
Looking great, the white cedar fencing white coated that way.
The little potting shed from whence the marvels and the link
To many of the garden fancies join the family and come to life.
Grand peragola with its granite colannades seems lonely and long.
A close-up view of the spruce rail fencing cut by ax and strife.
First light and the horses are listening to Martha's camera song.
Weighed down icy branches and the Rose of Sharon hedge,
Icy and glistening blueberry bushes standing row on row.
A pinkish hue in the early sunrise offering a solemn pledge.
Raspberry patch looking somewhat different covered in snow.
The 'cold' cold frame hiding cheery lettuce and herbs.
And snug as a bug could be, with their windbreak of hay,
Bee hives and their tar paper wrap awaiting winter's curves.
'Japanese' container garden wrapped with straw to allay
Winter's temps n all. The pergola for summer shade,
The tall garden gates that tried to keep the snow out.
Thru the pin oaks alee, the road to the woodland glade.
A lone weeping beech on croquet lawn: Sunrise 7.50am about.
Burdened by icy snow, boxwoods some with burlap teepees.
As snow melts from the stones the paths have unusual design.
From a grist mill a huge stone for grinding by degrees.
A waning moon still visible keeping an eye, not wanting to resign.
So exquisite, the photographer's favorite view of the fields.
And the writer? How breathtaking are the white capped ancient trees,
Within their rail fence, without doubt, my heart yields
To the beauty, the tranquility of this place, we all get a chance to see.
.
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Thankyou Martha. May the wind be always at your back.
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The song in my heart - When You're Smiling.
Posted by: celia stock | December 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Would love to see pictures of your home decorated for Christmas!
Posted by: Carol Peaslee | December 9th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Please be sure to do a follow-up post, including the 'before' photos above with the blooming border photos.
Posted by: Scott | December 9th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Thanks so much for all the sources for alliums. They are one of my favorite flowers and remind me a little of the scottish thistle. I'm going to keep this list bookmarked for when I live in a house with a garden again. In the meantime, my mother is going to love all the allium varieties!
Posted by: Christine | December 12th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
i love gardening and cooking so much and i wonder if we can grow alliums here in the philippines. i was there in your show last oct 8-11 food and festival but unable to talk and had a picture together.sometimes i wonder if it is possible if we in he Philippines can avail some of your giveaways like the foodsavers last dec. 16 anyway,i say more success in your show
Posted by: hermie marzo | December 17th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Martha, I'm your "charter member" thank you for my subcription you sent me I thought it was so nice of Suzie Wall to call we spoke. I'd love to speek to you. Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Kathleen Bruce | December 21st, 2009 at 6:40 am
can you plant alliums in containers in spring instead? I love your magazine,you have some awesome ideas Thanks
Posted by: Helen | February 20th, 2010 at 8:39 am