Preparing the farm for the dead of winter
As you may know, I am a firm believer in protecting my hedges with a burlap covering during the cold of winter. Winter can be very damaging to evergreen shrubs and I feel it essential to wrap them and keep them safe from the elements. The burlap does a great job of keeping off heavy snow and ice, which is notorious for breaking branches. But it also serves as a protective barrier against windburn. In addition to all of this, a burlap covering will deter deer and other hungry critters. On my farm, burlapping is always a big project and I feel that Shaun and his crew are doing a fine job. Please enjoy these photos.
1 This is the bamboo framework over the boxwoods surrounding the peony bed.
2 Chhewang is using a heavy metal spike to make holes in the ground.
3 The holes need to be quite deep so that the burlap-covered bamboo frame will withstand heavy winds.
4 The bamboo pole is secured in the hole.
5 Jute twine is used to tie the poles together.
6 A crosspiece of bamboo is attached to the tops of the 'teepees.'
7 Any excess is removed with a hand saw.
8 The excess is taken to the compost area.
9 The tree peony garden is surrounded with a burlap windscreen.
10 The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch to protect the soil from heaving.
11 I decided that the terrace knot garden needed a burlap covering this year.
12 This was a rather complex project that required a lot of cutting and fastening.
13 They even used screws to hold part of the frame together.
14 The joints were carefully tied with twine.
15 Did I say complex?
16 Once the framework was complete, it was time to cover it with burlap. Here is a boxwood hedge getting its winter protection.
17 Chhewang is using a large needle to sew the burlap onto the frame.
18 Back at the knot garden, Shaun and his crew are busy with their needles. As you can see, snow has already fallen.
19 Sewing....
20 and knotting
21 I think the guys are great with their needles!
22 A staple gun is also used for this project.
23 One section complete.
24 I admit, It's a bit odd looking, but I think it will do the trick.
25 The peony hedge is neatly covered.
26 As are these hedges.
27 And now for the allée of boxwood down near the stables.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Your garden staff rival Christo (r.i.p. Jeanne-Claude) in their wrapping ingenuity.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | December 14th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Good morning Martha!
It is always a pleasure reading your posts early morning and learning new things! amazing, hard and complicated work. Your crew has done a great job.
Good luck!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 14th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Clothes for plants? I wonder if there are any plant fashion designers. There may be a market for plant couture. If I could knit I'd make little poinsettia sweaters and sell them on eBay.
Posted by: Peter G | December 14th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Martha
When they are finished at your house send the crew over to my house.
Now really, how many people do you think actually cover every tree on thier property? I think not many.
Posted by: Ann | December 14th, 2009 at 6:34 am
As much as I long to live on the east coast, I will say gardening in California is a bit easier.
Posted by: Barbara M | December 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
The lack of sunlight isn't an issue? Or does it penetrate the burlap?
Posted by: Charlotte K | December 14th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Your grounds are wonderful and all of us can learn much from your wonderful blog and pictures. My mother preferred xeroscape in many things. Watering, freeze protecting and enabling
plants to endure these harsh conditions in Dakota are challenging. Some pets, too need more care than I will give so I don't have them and love my low-maintenance garden. You are to be commended for investing so much in your place.
Posted by: ann | December 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Martha, please explain further why burlaping is important. I suspect the key here is the severe winter conditions in your geographical location, and the "inner core" dehydration that may occur with ongoing low temperatures. Does the burlaping really make a warming overcoat?
Posted by: Penny | December 14th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Very interesting post, a lot of work to keep your garden safe in the winter but worth it. I always learn new things reading your blog. Thanks.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | December 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am
serious gardeners and plant lovers enjoy ur tips on preserving one's plants through the winter, it never occurred to me to use needle and twine to sew together the burlap, I have lost evergreen magnolias to winter burn and have a new allee that needs protection, it seems like a seemingly small effort vs the harm our green things suffer from the bitter elements, it takes so much longer for them to come back and thrive again, tks M now I have a better plan.
Posted by: Charmayne | December 14th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Hi Martha,
That is some undertaking but well worth it when we see your hedges in warmer weather. Where do you get burlap in such great quantities? I guess I could Google it. Anyway, once in a blue moon, we need to cover our bushes and plants and naturally I'm thinking burlap would be good to use instead of plastic, sheets, etc.
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I know you care about the birds too. You said they keep warm under those coverings and maybe that's why you have so many birds at the farm now. That’s nice! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 14th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Yes...all this burlap does look odd but we will be interested to know how well things fared once Spring arrives and the burlap is removed. Your crew did a great job given the complexity of the shape of the knot garden. I am sure it gets easier for them as they continue to do this each Winter and they learn new methods as they go along! Aah...the boxwood is so beautiful that it deserves a nice winter coat!
Posted by: sherey | December 14th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
looks like an art installation. i wondered what is the best source for burlap in bulk such as your crew is using.
Posted by: nadia | December 14th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hi Nadia - Thanks for your comment. We purchase large bolts of burlap from a local wholesale garden nursery.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | December 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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Bamboo is quite popular for jewelry making these days. How about the stubs heading toward the craft room instead of compost.
Lots of rings and rings and rings. Attach those to your imagination!
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Posted by: andyjspencer.blogspot | December 14th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Hi Martha,
I've never considered burlapping before. I can see what an undertaking it would be on such a grand scale.
Really enjoyed today's show and your wonderful and kindhearted gifts to Noelle Mays. What a devastating ordeal for the folks in that area and beyond. Your special touches in people's lives continue with your acknowledgement of your awareness to the world around you.
I can't wait to try the "Kris Kringle Bread Pudding" with your dear mom's "Sour Lemon Sauce." I miss seeing your mom on your programs. How about some reruns with her! She was such a delight. I lost my own mother in 2001, and when "Big Martha" was appearing it was a comfort to see a mom who reminded me in a certain way of my own.
Your allium segment answered some earlier questions I had. Loved seeing the process in motion as well as the photo blog on the prepartion and planting.
Thanks.
Posted by: Becky HK | December 14th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Dear Martha
I'm in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and it seems so strange (but very interesting) to see your farm being wrapped for winter. I am a State Rose Garden Supporter and tomorrow I am worried about our beautiful garden which will be subject to nearly 40 deg. C (104 F). We could put up umbrellas I guess, but that would be a huge undertaking. Even if the roses are fried, they tend to bounce back with a vengeance, they are tough plants. If you are ever in Melbourne, this time of year, please come to our world class garden.
Posted by: Tricia | December 14th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Hi Martha, Thanks for this fabulous blog about the wonderful work of Shaun and his garden crew who are protecting your beautiful boxwood and other plants. These guys do an absolutely fantastic job. I loved your show today, especially the part about your planting of the beautiful allium bulbs. That is going to look really great next spring. How nice that you helped out that family who lost their home to a terrible fire. It has finally warmed up to above freezing here after over a week in the deep freeze. We are back to our usual rainy weather with snow up north and in the Cascades. Take care and stay warm and dry. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 14th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I'm exhausted just looking at them work. Whew! Masters doing their craft. Amazing.
Posted by: Marie | December 15th, 2009 at 4:03 am
As I've mentioned before, getting things ready for winter is a lot of work! I used to wrap boxwoods, hollies, and rhodies in burlap at another home where I used to live, and I've got to say, I'd just about be finishing up right about now -- mid-December! My scale was on a much smaller realm compared to your farm, though. We'd mix up WiltPruf in a sprayer and use that, too...it sealed in the muchly-needed moisture that the bitter winds would take back away.
~
I love how the groundsmen actually SEW the burlap together! It would be very time-consuming but very effective nevertheless. The teepees and protective structures actually lend winter interest throughout the gardens, especially as the winter snows begin to fall.
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Since you go to the extent there at your farm with your protective coverings, do you use antidessicant on all your shrubs and bushes as added protection?...just wondering, that's all... The WiltPruf spray bottles are handy for small localized items, like wreaths and sprays/swags of evergreens, but on larger gardening scales such as yours, a tank sprayer would best accomplish this task.
~
It will be a good feeling, Martha, to look out your windows this winter and have confidence that everything was 'put to bed' safely and securely for the long winter nap!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Martha I am in the process of creating 2 30' X 30' gardens. One will consist of various onion and potatoe types and the other will be vegetables and herbs. My plan is to be as organic as possible. I understand that certain vegetable and herb/flower combinations help to keep out the bad bugs. Would it be possible to recommend a few resources so I can research this for my garden? Any information you can pass my way would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by: Pat Forehand | December 16th, 2009 at 3:08 am
burlapping is such a tedious work that give me a reason to thank GOD even more but unfortunately we have typhoons and caused my plants uprooted especially last sept 2006 even my 20 year old mango tree. iwas there in new jersey when that event happen.
burlapping is an additional information for me even the word itself
Posted by: hermie marzo | December 17th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Wow, I never knew that hedges needed covering in winter. May mine forgive me!!! LOL
Posted by: Edna | December 17th, 2009 at 4:42 am
You must have a huge staff of people to do this job.
Posted by: Nan | December 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am
if I come back as a boxwood in my next life I hope it's on your farm. :O)
Posted by: Chandra LaPlume-Pereira | December 17th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I think this is a grate Idea! And, now I know why Her is so beautiful ,and those of you making fun of it, yards are so blah!!!
Posted by: MR_Myers | December 18th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
In the trailer park where I live, there are some beautiful evergreens. We allow ours to be covered in a natural way. East winds blow plastic shopping bags over from a nearby market. These numerous, small bags effectively cover the delicate hedges, and we leave them there until the spring rains. Many of the bags are bright white and give the impression of snow-covered limbs.
Posted by: Elise | December 19th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I'm surprised that you didn't use something a little sportier, like burlap in bright colors or a houndstooth check.
I've decided this year I'm going to wrap our Illinois farm in bridal tulle, maybe in a hot pink, fastened to the bamboo with our collection of vintage costume-jewelry brooches. And LED light ropes all over everything!
Posted by: KOJohnson | December 21st, 2009 at 10:28 am
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Well, let's see. While I've been away there's been talk of wrapping and warping, then bright colored panties for Tallulah the Tree.
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Then there's also been gracious support for keeping a showpiece corporate display farm AND home to perfection in harmony.
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Cacophony and dissonance, you'll find no one will purchase.
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Perfection, however. We'd all hit the 5 am shopping rush for a stocking full!!
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Happy Holidays!! Enjoy the Best of the Best. It may differ among us, but we all are strivers to the top of the hill -- GOOD, BETTER, BEST!
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With Love,
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Butterfly, Jericho, Shakespeare, Noah, Spencer, Moses ... and Professor
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Posted by: andyjspencer.blogspot | December 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Hi Martha
Your farm looks sooo neat and clean - no downed fences, broken tree limbs or left-over pots! Next year I will make a major effort to clean up early. Hmmm, this must be my first New Year's resolution.
I'd love to visit your farm some day and see your beautiful horses.
lv
Posted by: jan geary | December 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
Ha! I loved the comment about the trailer park and plastic grocery bags! Too funny!
Posted by: Rachel | March 20th, 2010 at 11:52 pm