Late May at the Farm After the Rain
After days and days of constant rainy, dreary days, the sun emerged and the heat followed. It was unfortunate to have so many consecutive days of rain during the peak blooming season for tree peonies, azaleas, and rhododendrons because their amazing blossoms were too quick to fade. Now with sunny days, things at the farm are changing rapidly and I’d like to share these photos with you. I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday weekend.
1 The allium have been amazing this year and are a real favorite of bees galore.
2 These lovely and fragrant blooms belong to a styrax tree.
3 I have two styrax trees growing outside the door of the blog studio.
4 With all the rain we've been getting, the grass is growing almost too fast and too thick.
5 The strawberry vines are also very thick.
6 And the berries are forming nicely.
7 Next to the strawberry patch is the netted blueberry pergola.
8 I cannot wait for the first sun-ripe blueberries!
9 There are so many wild turkeys on the farm. They find shelter in the woods and feast on insects in the meadows. They actually eat many harmful ticks.
10 The ostrich ferns along the stream beds are quite lush.
11 As are the Christmas tree ferns. Look closely and you'll see one of the newly planted silver maple saplings.
12 The meadows will need to be cut for baling very soon.
13 In the cutting garden, it's time for Oriental poppies with their crepe-petaled blooms.
14 A closeup of a hairy poppy bud.
15 Oriental Poppy blossoms last only a week or two, but during that time, they furnish one of the high points of the gardening season.
16 Oriental poppies come in gorgeous shades of pinks, reds, oranges, and whites.
17 A double-bloom California poppy
18 Early in the spring, many, many Asiatic lilies were planted in the cutting garden and they are growing well.
19 It's always great to see the tall spikes of lupines blooming.
20 Lupines come in lovely shades of pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and even red!
21 A view of the Japanese maple grove
22 A view from my kitchen porch overlooking the apple espalier and the clematis pergola
23 A rather dramatic sky over the farm
24 The azaleas at their peak
25 The tree peony bed before the rain started
26 Such large and fragrant blooms
27 Amazing!
28 A closer look
29 I just love tree peonies.
30 Another view with great light
31 And another
32 So many flowers on one bush!
33 Another great shot
34 Looking down towards the stable
35 These are my new baby chicks, which are just over a month old.
36 They have grown quickly and are all healthy.
37 Later in the week, Clive, one of the miniature donkeys, spied some action near the stable.
38 It was a group from The Native Plant Center http://www.nativeplantcenter.org/index.html that came for the first garden tour of the season. Shaun greeted the group at the gate.
39 Walking through the allée of linden
40 And through the stable
41 My Friesians are always gracious with company.
42 And so are the donkeys.
43 Patty, Maryann, and Jeri were celebrating Maryann's birthday.
44 The horse chestnuts were in full bloom and attracted many curious eyes.
45 The stable courtyard
46 After the stable, the group walked up the carriage road towards the peonies.
47 Unfortunately, the tree peonies were nearly spent, as it rained for several days during peak blooming season.
48 The tree peony bed is a long sweep.
49 This variegated maple attracted a lot of attention.
50 Native Plant Center members and my friends and neighbors, Laura Blau and Denise Santomero
51 After the peonies, Shaun walked the group towards the vegetable garden. The fragrant Japanese lilac was in full bloom.
52 The clematis pergola begins across from the Japanese lilac.
53 Many of the clematis are in bloom.
54 One of the few males on the tour
55 Walking through the vegetable garden
56 The gooseberry patch is incredible!
57 And there are so many berries on the bushes.
58 Entering the greenhouse
59 Admiring the begonias
60 And enjoying the fragrance of scented geranium
61 On the other side of the greenhouse is the currant patch.
62 It's a good year for currants, as well.
63 Strolling through a verdant shade garden
64 And onto my terrace
65 Where Laura Acuna was ready to serve a refreshment
66 She makes her iced punch with a strong brew of Red Zinger tea and lots of fresh fruit.
67 Lemon sugar cookies and chocolate chip from my Martha Stewart Cookies book
68 A rare yellow tree peony
69 Mingling on the terrace
Photos By Martha Stewart and Eliad Laskin
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
would also lovvvvve to see any projects, like organization, etc, from INSIDE ur homes. or homes. the one in the hamptons, etc. love love love love that aspect of ms. stewart
Posted by: chris | May 27th, 2011 at 12:44 am
Absolutely beautiful! thank you so much for your photos. it is such a treat to see. I would love to see it in person...
Posted by: s keena | May 27th, 2011 at 3:01 am
What a blessed group of people, to be able to enjoy your gardens up close and personal. No need to ask if they had fun.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | May 27th, 2011 at 3:03 am
Seems difficult to believe that we are only a week away from a drought anytime here in Dakota after all the snow melt run off and rain. Spring planting delayed because fields are too muddy to work and even equipment used to haul cattle to pasture gets stuck. Tulips and spring bulbs have had prlonged blooming time due to coolness and are still gorgeous here. YOUR PHOTOS ARE WONDERFUL..
Posted by: ann | May 27th, 2011 at 4:32 am
How gorgeous! Congrats on the new cocktail app, the new hires, and the progress into spring/summer at the farm. Weather pattern in Philadelphia has been similar..the peas and string beans are loving it and all my herbs! Will have to buy some tomato and pepper plants this weekend. The small plants from seeds are going too slow. I used the website to prepare the soil and do the initial Mother's Day planting...thank you!!!Journaling the progress always helps this season and next! Happy Memorial Day and to all those in uniform who protect us.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | May 27th, 2011 at 8:29 am
More lovely images! Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos. You really know how to capture the tranquil essence of your gardens
Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Al | May 27th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Wow..... that Native Plant Group had a wonderful event... spring walk through so many parts of your special property. And the tea.
Posted by: Susan | May 27th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Martha,
A garden of Eden, you must feel so proud, it is so very beautiful.
Always enjoy your posts showing what is happening on your property.
Posted by: Aussie gal | May 27th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Hi Martha, Everyone of these tours you take us on at your beautiful farm are superb and this one is even more so! After so much rainy weather, everything looks even more stunning! Your outstanding landscape and gardening crew does a superior job of taking care of everything so that it looks so pristine! Oh, how I would love to personally be there with that very lucky Native Plant Center group that terrific Shaun is taking around your beautiful, beautiful farm! Everyone of these photos are again absolutely stunning! Even your animals look healthy and happy and those baby chicks are so cute! Clive sure likes the attention, as do your beautiful Friesians in that beautiful stable! Thanks so much for sharing this latest, beautiful tour of your Bedford farm! Hope you have a nice, warm, dry holiday weekend! Thanks for that great twitpic of you riding one of your Friesians around the farm this morning! Need to check out The Daily Wag about 'Squirrel in the Styrax Tree'! Their blog posts are great, also! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 27th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hi Martha,
Great photos and I love the view from your kitchen porch. I wish you a safe and enjoyable weekend also. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 27th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Martha, What a lucky group of people to tour your lovely gardens (wish I was one of them). Everything is so lush and healthy! I always enjoy the photos of your properties. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Judy | May 27th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Oh wow, I would LOVE to go on a tour of your place. It has bloomed so much since your winter weather. But alas.....I live on the other side of the country!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Knowlton | May 27th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Thanks for the work producing such a nice blog. I spent the morning pulling 1 1/2 foot volunteer grass from around my peonies. They were so happy I am sure they wanted to kiss me for finally doing something.
Was on a tour of our world class state university's horse facilities yesterday. Unfortunately all horses quarantined so we just saw the empty arenas and stalls. Be back to business as usual soon.
Posted by: Margie | May 27th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Beautiful farm photos. Great weekend to visit a farm like this.
Posted by: Pat | May 27th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Wow, I can't believe how far ahead your blossoms are compared to ours on the west coast! My favorite picture is from your kitchen porch. Wow, what a view and then #33 and #34 are simply amazing! Thanks! Can't wait for the sun!
Posted by: Frances | May 27th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Beautiful color!
Posted by: Lynn Ann Markarian | May 27th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Martha,
I live down the road in White Plains, the sun came out and my plants hit the GROUND..I think they freaked out or something, but i had black eye susans flat out even blue spruces were wilting in this sun.
Any idea, or was it just shock?
thanks,
Carl
Posted by: Carl | May 27th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
.
After the Rain
.
.
A busy little traveler dining on a purple sphere.
Outside the blog studio two styrax trees bring cheer.
The grass and strawberry vines love the extra rain,
And blueberries wait for their netting again.
Wild turkeys of olde stroll around and earn their keep
Gobbling copious amounts of harmful insects,on the cheap;
Streamlets harboring hundreds of microbes, un-named;
Tall timothy awaiting baling, if weather can be tamed:
Crepe-petaled Oriental poppies, each a little queen,
Short lived, but add such splendor to this amazing scene.
Growing well the Asiatic lilies, dare you to love them.
Colorful tall spikes of blooming lupines, another gem.
Japanese maples,different apple trees encased in a sea of green.
Look above the clouds,that's where the real sun-
shine's seen.
Glorious peaked azaleas,magic tree peonies,of many shades,
So many enchanting blooms, a pleasant walk in their glade:
A band of month old chicks, healthy and growing well;
A walk to the stable, quietly Clive awaits the dinner bell.
And the horse chestnut trees attract a lot of attention,
But Laura, master of the brewed iced punch,deserves honorable mention.
.
.
aaks
.
Posted by: celia stock | May 27th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Peonys are my favorite flower of all time.I live in Florida so I don't get to enjoy them anymore.I grew up in Ma and I remember them in the garden. So fragrant and beautiful.
Posted by: Judy Harnum | May 27th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Dear Martha,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful gardens!!! I love your peonies! Breathtaking! Enjoy the summer. Your #1 fan! Kelly
Posted by: Kelly A. Chirico | May 27th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
This is for Celia Stock - Thank you so much for another of your most descriptive poems echoing my blog. We haven't heard from you for some time and it's always wonderful when we do. Happy Memorial Day to you!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | May 27th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
For Carl - It's a real shock when the sun comes out after so many days of rain. Many plants droop just like yours did. Cool your plants off with a gentle sprinkle and try not to let them dry out. Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | May 27th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Got to love those bumble bee's! I just hope the Honey Bee's come Back!
Posted by: Tamara Pendleton | May 27th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I find the best thing to do on a rainy day is to work on plans for a chairty event! This fall I am chairing a fashion show.... Oh! where do I start- we have the hall, we have the fashions, we have the food ...need ideas on theme - a fall fashion show - favors or not, centerpieces....tablesetting....door prizes...lots to do.. any help Martha?
Posted by: Phyllis Pahutski | May 27th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
What a beautiful place!and thank you for sharing.what a dream it is to someday have something like that,grew up on a farm and so miss it.Making do with what a lovely place i have here in pa but got lots of ideas from you...thanks again.maybe will get to visit some day.Have a wonderful holiday weekend
Posted by: alberta gozikowski | May 27th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Dear Martha, you are my inspiration.you are an ideal woman.God bless you and I love you. Waheeda
Posted by: Waheeda akhtar | May 27th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Nice flowers Martha. I hope they will all bloom even more this coming summer - especially your very colorful poppy flowers. I love them. I have some in my garden. I sometimes cut them fresh and put them in my living room and dining table. They make my house sassy and more relaxed. And my husband loves them to.
My California poppy complements my living room's curtains and coffee table.
The number 1 in my "flower wanted list" this summer are the lupines. I was enticed by your description of its colors - pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and red.
Posted by: Amelia@ Garden Decors | May 28th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Those Alliums are absolutely gorgeous! They were displaying so many different types at the Chelsea Flower Show here in England this year And I have now decided to fill my garden with them. Thanks for the never ending inspiration Martha, I'm off to make your Strawberry and Rhubarb tarts now!
Posted by: Lauren | May 28th, 2011 at 7:20 am
The picture of the allium with the bee is great as are the others. I would love to see some articles on organic gardening.
PS: I really miss your program nowadays. I got on ATT to keep from losing you and they took it off at the last minute. Still get a great website and magizine though.
Posted by: JD | May 28th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I love your photos. I really love the peonies and athe lilacs. Reminds me of my grandmother's yard when I was young. Thank you. Have a great holiday. Thank God for all the men and women who fought for our country.
Posted by: Marilyn Martin | May 28th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
It's sunshine after the rain. You have a very nice farm. It's so nice to spend a weekend looking at the very cool plants and flowers in your farm. Have a nice day ahead of you.
Posted by: ChefBlogDigest | May 29th, 2011 at 3:51 am
DAYUM! I wanted to go (not that I knew about it) Your whole set-up is so striking!!
Do you bale the hay for your horses...or is it cow hay?
Posted by: Linda @ Lime in the Coconut | May 29th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
My aunt saw your show where you cooked a Pork Roast with turnips, apples, apple cider and rutabeggers?(spelling) can you please send your receipe? Thanks, Sandee
Posted by: Sandee | May 29th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Martha,
Have you ever had any trouble with clematis wilt? I have several varieties of clematis and two in particular get "wilt". The leaves droop, and get brown spots on them. It is almost an instantaneous reaction. One day the vine is gorgeous and blooming and literally the next morning they wilted.
Thanks!
Posted by: Deborah | May 30th, 2011 at 8:35 am
Clive looks EXACTLY like his name. A perfect match! Such a great picture.
Posted by: Kathy | May 30th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Oh how beautiful. Thanks for sharing! I love the pictures of the poppies.
Posted by: Act Fast Chef | May 30th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Hello Martha ....I have been following your blog for 2 years now and thoroughly enjoy it. But Please help me.....do you have a problem w/ Ticks? I live in NH in the woods and have a sizable collect of dogs & cats and I am tortured by the fear of tics and Lyme D. Other than the vaccine, Frontline do you have any other hints, homeopathic or otherwise to protect my darling wonderful indoor/outdoor pets? I would be forever grateful for your advise and/or consul. Best, Ann
Posted by: Ann | June 2nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
wow! now i see all the flowers and trees you guys were talking about and man they ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!! wow wish my garden looked like yours martha! hahaha. well my goodness you posted lots of pictures! wish i could post pictures of my garden! well i do need to get off the computerand go pick my garden!
see ya!
Posted by: crazycrafter2 | September 15th, 2011 at 8:31 pm