The Crazy Weather Persists!
Let me preface this by expressing my deepest concern for the horrors happening in Japan. I have visited that island nation several times and have very dear friends who live there. As I’ve been stating on this blog, we’ve had continuously crazy weather here in the northeast. All winter long, it was one snowstorm after another. And last week, we had torrential rain, which melted much of the snow. The rainfall, combined with the snowmelt, caused widespread flooding and much heartbreak and my heart goes out to those who suffered property loss. I feel very fortunate that the most damage we had at the farm was some rather substantial erosion of the carriage roads, which will require expert repair. Here’s a little report about that and some other things happening at the farm.
1 The sky was rather dramatic on this mid-March afternoon looking through the grove of bald cypress.
2 These long rows are planted with ferns and Asiatic lilies.
3 The border alongside the pergola is planted with nepeta, or cat mint, with purple clematis on each granite post.
4 There are also hundreds of allium bulbs planted in this border now poking through.
5 More signs of spring are found here...
6 As tulips poke through the soil.
7 Last week we received considerable rainfall and the carriage roads suffered some pretty bad erosion.
8 You can see how the gravel simply washed away.
9 Can you figure out what these buds are?
10 They belong to this stand of weeping willow trees.
11 More erosion down by the chicken coops.
12 The Pomeranian geese always make such a racket when visitors arrive.
13 My heritage breed turkeys are very healthy. We have Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, and Black Spanish. The tom was proudly displaying his tail feathers.
14 Blaze is one of Betsy, my stable manager's rescued cats. Blaze is very adventurous.
15 Her brother, Tipper, watches Blaze from indoors.
16 The tennis court will soon be opened for the season.
17 The horses spend a great deal of time in this paddock.
18 Skunk cabbage grows alongside all the streams.
19 And speaking of which, the streams were raging with all the rain.
20 This one came up and over its banks.
21 And washed across the road surface, causing further erosion.
22 'Hurricane Alley' is still in the process of being cleared. It's been a very big job.
23 Further in the woods, this tall tree has been labeled for removal.
24 It suffered a major crack during one of our many storms.
25 Directly across from that tree sits the little woodland shed. The surrounding shade gardens have been cleared of leaves.
26 This is one of my favorite rocks on the farm. It sits alongside the carriage road deep in the woods. It always looks so verdant and alive with its carpet of moss, even after having been covered with snow all winter.
27 More erosion
28 And much more
29 I've had these Adirondack chairs for many years and they will soon be part of a TV segment on chair repair and restoration. They are presently on the porch of the contemporary house.
30 I'd say they need a lot of help.
31 Nearby, Gyurme chose an apple branch to saw and use as a perch in the canary cage.
32 The view from the contemporary house across a hay field.
33 Crocuses in the wild
34 The grounds crew has been busy clearing the garden beds and applying a generous layer of compost.
35 This compost is a beautiful thing full of organic material and we make it right here on the farm.
36 One load after another
37 Ryan and Purba - Ryan is the new gardener at the farm, helping Shaun.
38 Wilmer spreading the compost.
39 The shade garden outside the tenant house is off to a great start.
40 This is called the white garden since nearly everything planted in it blooms with white flowers.
41 Like these early snowdrops
Photos By Martha Stewart @marthastewart and Eliad Laskin @joemartha
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, there is so much to look forward to in your garden...the roses from yesterday, and now...a white blooming garden.
You did have a lot of washes, but I think about Japan, and my losses don't seem so bad.
Take care.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | March 15th, 2011 at 12:09 am
What a spring...Something is in the air for sure, because if it can erode ,brake or just fall apart it will! http://www.themalemartha.com
It's almost like the snow and ice was holding everything together. We should all remember that as bad as things can get..Japan is a stark reminder of how bad things can be. I guess it's time to just count our blessings!
Dan Viger
Hollis Center, Maine.
Posted by: Dan Viger | March 15th, 2011 at 4:29 am
I can hardly wait to see the Peony Garden! Spring is coming to East-Central Illinois this week. Tulips & daffodils are peaking up through the soil and the chores begin in earnest today.
Are you finding enough time for your new grandchild? I hope so. So,congratulations Grandma.
The grandchildren call me "Mimi" but they introduce me to their friends as their Grandma.
Til tomorrow,
Sharon W.
Posted by: Sharon W. | March 15th, 2011 at 7:16 am
Ides of March with 5 foot tall snowbanks here and spring is nowhere near as it is at your farm. Pictures do show that you will soon be enjoying lush growth and beautiful green country side. We are far more crazy than weather
Posted by: ann | March 15th, 2011 at 7:29 am
Dear Martha,
Awhite garden is exceptionally stunning at night the flowers almost light up.
Also you have some serious connections, Japan is starving could you speak to some one in Casa Blanca either military rations or fruit, as they have no means of cooking.
Many thanks,
Posted by: Aussie gal | March 15th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Martha, the erosion on the carriage road is really bad. Hope you enjoy Las Vegas, have fun. Thanks for sharing this update of the farm. When will we see photos of the baby on your blog?
Posted by: KLBrown | March 15th, 2011 at 9:32 am
Hi Martha, Thank God it's almost spring and most of the winter snow has melted away and your terrific ground crew can now repair all of the areas of erosion and start planting whatever you want outside. Those guys sure do a great job during all seasons! These photos are wonderful and I can almost see how beautiful your farm will be as the weather improves! Betsy's sweet little kitties, Blaze and Tipper, sure are cute! Your geese and turkeys look pretty happy now that the snow is gone. Love reading your twitters, seeing 'Martha Bakes' and your TV Shows on Hallmark. Really fun to see all of your TV Shows starting at 6PM on Monday nights, also! Got to go check out what Sharkey says about spring on 'The Daily Way' Have a great day in Las Vegas! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 15th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Martha, a big thanks for these pics. As usual, I just wish i could stroll down your carriage lanes and peek into the woods. Love the rock with the moss, such natural beauty. Your photos have inspired me to get out and dig in the dirt, once again. I so look forward to spring and pictures of the bloom that is waiting quietly in your woods. Love, love your farm. Truly beautiful!!! Last summer was inspired to paint all my patio furniture, pots etc grey because of your pics. You inspire me!!!
Posted by: Frances | March 15th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Hi Martha,
The weather sure is crazy and a bit scary at times with not really knowing what can happen next and where it might happen. You had a lot of rain and wind last year about this time and were spared a lot of damage while others weren’t so lucky, and then later you had that tornado that knocked down many trees so no one is immune. Fortunately, nothing is even close to what has happened in Japan so yes, as others have said we have our blessings to count.
~
Ever since you’ve been sharing pictures of your farm, I look forward to seeing it in full-bloom in the spring and in summer when the vegetable garden is bursting with so many goodies. In the meantime, I can’t help but smile when I see your beautiful property in the winter camouflaged with brown grass, barren fields and sparse trees. The transformation in a few short weeks from now, or as Emeril might say, the “bam” is always worth the wait! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 15th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Truly a devastating time in Japan...my heart feels sick for those so affected.
Spring is slow to arrive here in Vancouver, BC as well. Things that are normally in bloom at this time are still just poking through. I somehow managed to prune my rose bushes in between showers and squalls of rain. Everything is neat and tidy and ready to go. Oh the plans i have! I can hardly wait to spend hours and hours outdoors creating beautiful spaces.
You are such a good steward of the land...and i know that your road erosion will be expertly taken care of. Annoying and costly to have to deal with, i'm sure.
Posted by: sherey | March 15th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Martha thru all this harsh winter in your area,
why would you leave your beautiful wooden chairs
outside. I'm sure you have storage space somewhere.
Marty
Posted by: Martha Ketring | March 15th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
It is amazing how quickly your farm went from plenty of snow to no snow and abundant signs of spring.
Posted by: Jan | March 15th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Thank you for posting your pics and sharing your thoughts, but I want to hear about your new grand baby!! You must be over joyed, when will blog about Jude? BTW, congratulations.
Posted by: jamie vilet | March 15th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
We haven't had much snow here, but we sure have had a lot of rain. And we are dealing with the same thing here.....erosion. I have some serious repairing to do of my land bridge in the pasture. Lots of flooding this winter here in Oregon.
And yet everywhere I turn, the promise of spring.
I love seeing all the gardens, trees, etc of your farm Martha. It's very beautiful and even though I don't have grounds people, it does inspire to keep at it, and not give up. I'm am sowing my heart and soul into the soil here, and it will show in time.
God bless you!
Posted by: Fiona's Mosaic | March 15th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Your farm is simply breathtaking!! I'm anxious to follow your blogs and pictures to see how everything grows and comes together. I will be watching!!
Posted by: Sherri Simmons | March 15th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hi Martha,
I love looking at your beautiful grounds! Simply breathtaking! I noticed my dear friend Ryan in your picture and wished he was in my yard. My newly planted flowers have already died. I clearly do not have a green thumb. You're so lucky to have Ryan and I know he is so thrilled to be working with you!
I can't wait to see all the flowers in your garden bloom!
Erica, CA
Posted by: Erica Blair | March 19th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
I just purchased the Martha Stewart golden tree comforter set and was wondering if there were some Martha Steward Paint color suggestions.
Posted by: gailr | March 26th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Dear Martha,
I love looking at your pictures. What a beautiful place to be. Very inspiring, it brings me much joy!
Posted by: Mandy | April 5th, 2011 at 8:28 pm