My Farm in Mid-May
Because I get so many wonderful comments when I take you on visual tours of the farm, I have decided to keep those tours coming, as the scenery changes so rapidly from day to day and week to week. I know that I never tire of wandering these grounds and certainly, with things looking so beautiful, I hope you will enjoy wandering through these photos taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
1 The base of this bald cypress has been neatly edged using a garden shovel.
2 Gyurme brings a load of composted mulch.
3 This is the mulch that we make using all of the organic matter from the farm.
4 Wilmer and Gyurme are busy edging and spreading mulch around all of the trees.
5 Meindert is enjoying the rich paddock grass. The pink blossoms are horse chestnut trees.
6 A closeup of the blossoms.
7 These are Spanish bluebells planted last autumn beneath the allee of linden.
8 These native Christmas ferns are growing lushly out in the woods.
9 These are ostrich ferns, which we planted beside the little woodland shed. Trillium are growing next to them.
10 This fern structure is called a fertile frond. It is loaded with spores.
11 Pretty wild flowers in the woods
12 This is a delicate maidenhair fern, which we planted.
13 Another grove of lush native ferns
14 This is one of 640 Christmas trees that were planted last spring. It's growing nicely in its row.
15 As is this blue spruce.
16 And this row of white pine.
17 There is our resident coyote running for cover in the tall hay field.
18 Remember our trip to Don Shadow's nursery in Tennessee? Here is some of what we bought there - Japnanese maples and rare forms of rhododendron.
19 The blueberry patch is growing very well this year.
20 These berries are forming nicely.
21 Loaded clusters everywhere
22 A macro view - so odd looking
23 This is the perennial border alongside the vegetable garden with gorgeous allium blooming.
24 The allium planted last autumn alongside the pergola
25 This honey bee seems to love allium nectar.
26 This is the Asiatic lily garden recently edged and weeded.
27 Next to the house is the 'white garden' with a lovely white clematis.
28 The shade garden next to the upper parking area
29 A giant hosta
30 Still wet from yesterday's rain
31 Emerald green hosta with white edging
32 Japanese painted fern
33 The delicate blue flowers of a silver variegated brunnera
34 The viburnum bushes have gotten so large!
35 Another giant hosta, which also has gotten very full
36 A delicate trillium
37 An amazing lady's slipper
38 Incredible!
39 Sharkey! What are you looking at?
40 That's right! You love the clematis.
41 Who can blame you?
Thanks for the beautiful pictures of your flowers and plants. It is a trip down memory lane. I live in Arizona and looking at these makes me realize what a feast for the eyes all of the different shades of green are.
Posted by: Jean Kroll | May 17th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Martha, your gardens continue to amaze me!!! I keep looking at yours and thinking that someday...I'll have all of my plants replanted at my old house, but at my age, it is doubtful. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at yours and hoping.
I have lots of very old plants, including a couple of boxwoods, a couple of Crepe Myrtles, and a lot of Jonquils, Spyraea, English dogwood, and some others, already at the old house.
When I say old, I KNOW they were there before the 1040's. The ones from here that I want to replant there are not that old.
Thank you for sharing, Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | May 17th, 2010 at 1:40 am
PS And...roses...don't forget the Roses. I don't know what kind, but they. too, are very old. One is pink and one is yellow, and they looked as if God just blew a tiny breath of color on them. Gorgeous!!!!! They always bloom in time for Mother's Day, and are in bloom right now.
Gloria!1
Posted by: Gloria | May 17th, 2010 at 1:48 am
Incredible! The lady slipers you show are amazing! I remember as a small child being scolded by my mother not to touch the lady slipper as they were a protected prehistoric species. You can incur a huge fine for picking them in massachusetts. Your's are amazing!
http://www.meandmartha.net
Dan Viger
Hollis Cente,Maine.
Posted by: Daniel Viger | May 17th, 2010 at 2:07 am
Gorgeous photos! love the photo of sharkey so adorable!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 17th, 2010 at 3:16 am
Thank you once again for sharing your lovley photos. What a wonderul way to start my day!!
Posted by: Cynthia | May 17th, 2010 at 7:05 am
Your gardens are wonderful, Martha. I'm so glad you take the time to put these photos on your blog. I'm in the process of redoing the landscape in my backyard and these photos really inspire me.
Posted by: Julie | May 17th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Your farm is my dream come true!! I never get tired of your pictures and they certainly bring a smile to my face. I have added a tour of your farm and a meet and greet with your pet family to my "bucket" list!! You are extremely blessed....
Posted by: Shirley Hawksby | May 17th, 2010 at 8:22 am
You are right Martha. We absolutely love pictures of the farm and you never disappoint us. Thank you for always sharing them with us. Everything looks fabulous. Spring just a beautiful time of the year. Continued success and we can't wait for the next group of pictures.
Posted by: Mona C | May 17th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Wonderful pictures! I noticed your large bed of lilies....do you have a problem with lily beetles? It became tedious for me picking and crushing the beetle and the 'yucky' larvae every day, that I reluctantly removed all the lilies from my garden.
Kathy D.
Posted by: Kathy D. | May 17th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hi Martha,
Your pictures make my eyes widen for sure! Man, just when I think you’ve shown us everything you come along with even more. I like that your gardens have names, i.e. the white garden, the shade garden, the lily garden. I have just ‘the garden’ but I don’t think I could handle more than one anyway although I’m thinking about it. Can I borrow Shaun? Lol The allium alongside the pergola is really pretty but so is everything else.
~
Now picture #22 reminds me a little of the tee shirt you made on the show with the eyes cut out all over it. That macro view of the blueberries looks like two eyes with curly eyelashes all around and the berry even glistens like a painted pupil. That would make a neat template – it is ‘berry’ pretty!
~
I like that you have the ‘share’ button because I plan to share this blog on Twitter, then I’ll Buzz Up and Stumbleupon. Have a nice day all! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 17th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Wonderful...i love to start my day wandering through your farm gardens via your great photos! And then i go out to my small space garden and i love that, too! I have now purchased your line of garden tools and enjoy using them...love the colour so thanks for everything!!
Posted by: sherey | May 17th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Love the allium and bee photo. Just saved it as my desktop background, so I can enjoy it all day at work!
Posted by: Cynde | May 17th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Hi Martha - Keep the farm/garden photos coming! They are my favorite part of your blog!
You have done such a wonderful job planning your farm and estate - it really shows in the the beautiful photos!
Posted by: Tyler | May 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Fantastic! Can I borrow your gardeners!! Our back yard is all wooded...and could use a clean up.
Posted by: Julie | May 17th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Everything is so beautiful and well kept. A few years ago a friend gave me a brunerra but I only found out this spring the name as he did not know. It is one of my favorites. Is the lavendar wild flower a wild geranium? Bless you
Posted by: Pam from Indiana | May 17th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Just Beautiful. I love all of the colors.
Posted by: Corrina | May 17th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Your gardens are absolutely georgeous Martha. Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to see more of your spectacular landscape.
Posted by: Michelle | May 17th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Hi Martha, There's no place like home, especially your farm! I totally enjoy any tour you take us on, especially on your farm. These photos are absolutely beautiful! I have always wondered how many trees you have there on the farm?! I'll bet there are hundreds+! Your farm reminds me of going into the Cascades here in Washington State, especially the ferns and the trillium. Photo # 22 sure is cute! It looks like eyes without a face! Photo #27 reminds me of your fantastic gardens at Turkey Hill. The giant hosta looks like quilting or a pillow cover. Everything is beautiful! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 17th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I was wondering about something you said in your editorial message in the new MSLiving edition. You mention you sometimes have "visiting livestock" - is this like "play-dates" for your horses or ?? It just made me wonder! Thanks! What a gorgeous farm you have.
Posted by: Gien Farcais | May 17th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Martha, when you have your new channel, I have a suggestion that you make a 2-hour special on how you planned this property, what the cycles are and what it takes to maintain it; how it replenishes itself and give back to the earth and to you and your family and workers. It would be lovely to do a special on your Maine estate as well. Then, I'd love to see a special on your week through a weekend. How you spend your day, daily, and how (if ever) you relax. Obviously, I'm thinking way too much about your programming. But you have a remarkable life, into which you have devoted extraordinary energy and standards. What a gift that would be to the world, and especially, your fans. Would love to see more of Alexis too. How she schedules her life and work.
Posted by: Aliana | May 17th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Martha, your gardens are truly inspiring. The hosta and ferns are beautiful! Have you ever planted Ornithogalum mutans 'Silver Bells'? I saw them in Brent and Becky's catalog last fall and had to try them. I highly recommend a patch of them for your white garden!
PS Is it almost time for a new gardening book? I still use your book from the 1990's as my bible.
Posted by: Cindy | May 17th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I have been enjoying working in my yard this spring. You inspire me with your beautiful grounds. I have been using my new gloves and pruning shears you gave me at your show on May 4. They are both wonderful and I feel like you're a part of my home. I purchased your patio furniture from Home Depot and love it. Such nice quality for a great price. Thank you.
Posted by: Janet Ryan | May 17th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
It's always wonderful to see the goings-on at your farm. I love the shot of Sharkey and also the one with the coyote. I gave hostas a try here in Southern California but snails ate them down to the stump practically over night!
Posted by: Amanda | May 17th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Love the gardens Martha and especially your macro shots - incredible detail with that lens! I can just imagine how lovely your property will be in a couple months! Look forward to those pictures.
Posted by: Donna | May 17th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Thank you Martha for sharing your photos.
Up here in Canada we are a few weeks behind. Looking forward to future tours of your farm.
Beautiful!
Posted by: Lisa Nugent | May 17th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Thanks for more glimpses into your beautiful home....I adore these !!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | May 17th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Oh, I wish I wish I wish I could have a garden like yours....
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures. Also thank you for letting us know what type of camera that you used.
Posted by: Rie in CA | May 18th, 2010 at 1:37 am
The photos are beautiful! Your gardens never cease to inspire and amaze. I am looking forward to photos from Skylands. Mary
Posted by: Mary C. Carroll | May 18th, 2010 at 10:39 am
These are such beautiful photos.
My favorite #5 of 41....Meindert grazing in the pasture...WOW...gorgeous shot Martha
Posted by: Becky Kuchefski | May 18th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
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Martha's Mid May Walkabout
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Stunning photos from Martha's walkarounds,
Tranquillity is prevalent where love abounds.
The garden team work hard to keep up with Nature,
Applying compost keeping an edge on all that's pure;
Boxwoods in the company of gorgeous chestnut trees
With pink blossoms and Meindert, after winter freeze:
Beneath the allee of lindens, Spanish bluebells adorn,
Many ferns unfurled, hiding in the trillium a fertile frond.
Pretty wild flowers in the woods, color of pale violet,
Row on row of Christmas trees growing as good as it gets.
The resident coyote running for cover thru the hay field.
Loaded clusters of blueberries growing well, a good yield;
A honey bee gleaning nectar from an allium in the border
Besdie the veggie garden, lots of flowers for the little hoarder:
The Asiatic lily garden just recently edged and weeded.
A garden of shade that brings grateful relief when needed.
Giant hostas, delicate flower of blue, so very dear;
Viburnum bushes growing large and spreading cheer.
An amazing mauve lady's slipper so perfect and elegant,
Handsome trilliums of pale purple and all the room they want.
And Sharkey, that clever little mite puts my heart to stilling,
As the clemantis, climbs the concrete post, so pretty and fulfilling.
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The wind at your back traveller.
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Posted by: celia stock | May 18th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Thanks for the photo tour of the farm, Martha! The spring flowers are gorgeous, but nothing stirs my heart like ferns. I don't know what it is about them, so peaceful.
Posted by: Melissa Cordstone | May 18th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I look for new photos every 48 hours...keep em coming...F A B U L O U S !!
greg
Posted by: Greg | May 18th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
As always Marhta, I love looking at the wonderful photo's you take of your farm. I have never seen blueberry grow and that macro shot looks like the blueberries are looking back at you! Your farm is a dream come true and I'm sure it is for you. Please keep the pictures comming. We never tire of your masterpiece.
Posted by: Libbygirl | May 18th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
It is so fun to see the changes in seasons and days as well. I love this thread of your blog. That poem above is beautiful! Please keep sharing.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 19th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Love those photos!! Thanks for sharing them. I had no idea that blueberry blossoms were so beautiful. The photo of the coyote scared me a little thinking about your precious doggies and cats. Hopefully, your pets are always safely away from a wild coyote.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 19th, 2010 at 10:49 am
I loved your show on Monday on Martha Stewart Living (Wedding)! Especially when you were talking about the Beech tree and you said you are the Queen Beech tree! lol I always thought of myself as the Queen but I think the forest is big enough for both of us.
Thank for sharing your property/pics with us.
Posted by: Mary | May 19th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I think the wildflower is herb robert (Geranium robertianum).
Posted by: Michele | May 19th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Your shade garden is a dream come true! I love maidenhair ferns. I think they would look great placed next to pale rocks, to accent the dark stems.
Posted by: Michele | May 20th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Beautiful, beautiful plants and land.
Posted by: Handmade Diva | May 21st, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Sharkey was looking at something with a hard stare. The coyote perhaps? The pink horse chestnut trees are lovely. Last week i saw several in Kurpark, Bad Homburg, Germany-- about 20 minutes by public train from Frankfurt. This park is so lovely and peaceful with a fine dining restaurant that has an outdoor patio. So unusual to find such dining in a public park. The horse chestnuts were lush and pink, pink, pink! Martha, your pics always uplift your readers spirits just when we need a heavy dose of happiness. Thanks.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | May 22nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
great job eliad and laura! eliad the blueberry pictures are amazing!!!! oxoxoox miss you both!
jodi
Posted by: jodi capobianco | June 2nd, 2010 at 4:04 pm