Preparing for Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene is pushing relentlessly up the East Coast and we are all bracing for her wrath. All one needs to do is look at a weather map to understand how large and potentially dangerous this storm is. My farm crew in Bedford has been working tirelessly battening down the hatches, preparing for the worst. Now it’s a question of waiting to see what Irene delivers and, from all reports, the news is terribly disconcerting. I wish safety to all of you in her path.
1 The covered porch overlooking the farm was nicely decorated with tropical plants. Staghorn ferns adorned the walls.
2 There were also plenty of hanging baskets and potted succulents.
3 All of the plants were removed from the front porch, making it look suddenly barren.
4 The tables were turned upside down and place upon small wooden blocks to protect the painted tabletops.
5 The chairs are made of steel and are quite heavy. They should be fine where they are.
6 The hanging baskets and potted succulents were transported to their winter home in the greenhouse.
7 And then there was the shade pergola where many tropical plants live for the summer.
8 This pergola is located right off the greenhouse adjacent to the headhouse.
9 Wilmer and the rest of the crew moved all the hanging plants into the greenhouse.
10 The other glass house, called the cold house is providing temporary shelter for certain large tropicals.
11 My citrus collection was summering next to the shade pergola.
12 That, too, was taken to shelter.
13 The citrus trees joined the other tropical plants in the cold house.
14 It takes a lot of stamina to move so many plants in such a short period of time.
15 All of the vegetables mature enough to be harvested were picked or pulled from the ground. These are all of the onions. They are curing in the greenhouse headhouse to develop dry outer skins for better storage.
16 And hardneck varieties of garlic were also picked for curing. Hardneck garlic has wonderful and deep flavor.
17 Needless to say, I always worry about this glass house and my fingers were crossed.
18 It was decided that these plants would remain huddled beneath the shade pergola and we will hope for the best.
19 During the temperate season, the terrace is furnished with outdoor tables, chairs, and benches.
20 All that outdoor furniture was removed from the terrace.
21 It looks so barren without it, especially at the peak of the summer season.
22 The furniture was relocated to the carport for the duration of the storm and will be set up outside again until it's time for winter storage.
23 And what is hiding behind the vented wall?
24 It's the generator room, which houses a very serious generator - one of two on my property. It's comforting to have a generator, but it's nothing I ever want to have to come on.
25 The courtyard on the backside of my house is rather protected from the wind. We decided to move its furniture to this sunken area and to huddle the smaller potted plants together.
26 You may recall seeing photos of the giant potted alocasia. They are simply too large to move so quickly and will remain outdoors.
27 Shaun did take some precaution and wrapped the stems together.
28 He used a type of plastic binding tape for this. We will see....
29 This is one of the original apple trees on the farm and it is quite old.
30 Sadly, the other morning, I discovered one of its large branches hanging down, as it had developed a severe crack.
31 I was devastated to think that such a large portion of the tree would be lost.
32 Shaun, one of my gardeners, is also an arborist and instead of removing the branch, he wanted to see if it could be saved by hoisting it up and propping it with a support. It was no small feat!
33 Shaun cut this tree support in the woods and both a car jack and plenty of muscle was used to raise the broken limb.
34 I'll be sure to keep you informed as to this apple tree's ongoing condition.
35 With Hurricane Irene approaching, I became concerned about some of the other old apple trees, which suddenly seemed so vulnerable to me.
36 I asked Shaun to support a few more branches which may be stressed in heavy winds. Here he is digging a hole to sink a cinder block into as the base for the upright support.
37 The cinder block was lowered into the hole.
38 And the tree support was positioned in place.
39 The apple branch is now resting on its support.
40 The cinder block was covered over with soil. There are many other ways to support branches, but this is a good example of an emergency method.
41 Shaun was off to support two more apple trees.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
That is a lot of work to save your plants, but will you be boarding up your windows?
Maybe, if the steel chairs are so heavy, you could slide the tables over towards the wall and sit some of the chairs on them for extra protection from the winds.
If the wind gets realy bad, it can get under the tables and still blow them away.
I don't know what will happen in upper SC, but whatever happens will happen, as most of us don't have the means to protect things so thoroughly.
I pray that everyone in the path of Irene will be safe.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 27th, 2011 at 1:42 am
That is a lot of work to save your plants, but will you be boarding up your windows?
Maybe, if the steel chairs are so heavy, you could slide the tables over towards the wall and sit some of the chairs on them for extra protection from the winds.
If the wind gets realy bad, it can get under the tables and still blow them away.
It is strange what a difference plants and furniture makes to your porch.
I don't know what will happen in upper SC, but whatever happens will happen, as most of us don't have the means to protect things so thoroughly.
I pray that everyone in the path of Irene will be safe.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 27th, 2011 at 1:43 am
I hope you and your family and farm stay safe during the hurricane. I was pleased to see that you showed your preparations.
Posted by: Perfecting Pru | August 27th, 2011 at 6:07 am
Hope all will be well with you and so many others who may be affected by hurricane Irene. Like all of your blogs you've told and showed a very interesting story with pictures. Thinking of those in the city and how they will prepare. Will Alexis and Jude come to Bedford? I miss her blog and the wonderful food and deserts she shared.
Posted by: TommyBoy | August 27th, 2011 at 8:06 am
I suggest you take the chairs and table in. Why take chances?
Posted by: Dahlia Balir | August 27th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Lotta work. those plants are so beautiful and the care with the apple trees..amazing. We've done our work here too but of course nothing like you did...but our little suburban house is ready.
Posted by: Linda | August 27th, 2011 at 8:34 am
Hi Martha, take in the chairs and plants. You should never leave anything out in a hurricane. I am afraid the potted alocasia will fly if the hurricane has any strength. Also trees are always the first to topple over. I am afraid that apple tree should lose that branch, especially if it already has a significant crack in it. I am someone who lives in South Florida and have lost many fruiting trees because those are the first to go. We have certain types of trees that hold up very well but they are native here and I am sure you don't have any. Best of luck to everyone up there!
Posted by: Tlo | August 27th, 2011 at 8:41 am
Looking at your pictures brought back memories of getting ready for a hurricane. How much work it involved. I have never seen the turn the table over prep. Have seen put the outdoor furniture IN the pool... like you said, we will see how the different things work in the wind to come.
Posted by: Susan | August 27th, 2011 at 8:43 am
My wife and I really enjoyed your video of Cappadocia by balloon. Stay safe!--Dixwell
Posted by: Dixwell Burnham | August 27th, 2011 at 9:20 am
Propping the apple tree is a good thing. They do this in Japan all of the time. I wishes did it here more, instead we usually just cut the tree brank or tree down. If you ever have a chance you should check out Kanazawa, Japan to see how they prep all of their trees for heavy winters. Not only does it work, but it makes the trees into art sculputres.
Posted by: Paula G | August 27th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Hi Martha,
Your preparations are quite good but the table will skid off the blocks if the wind gets too strong. I turned a metal table upside down close to the house in a screened-in patio but it still slid across the floor and got badly scraped. I put our poolside furniture in a patio area outside my bedroom but when the overhead screening came crashing down, large sections mangled it beyond use. Those framework pieces just missed our sliding doors by inches. Your heavy planters and the others should be okay but I would huddle them closer and maybe wrap the top of the alocasia with burlap and tuck it under the pot. Strong winds could tear the leaves off. Some of the outer bands had pretty strong wind gusts. I’m just glad it isn’t stronger than a cat 1 with winds of 85 mph and lower once is gets to New York. It will never seem to stop raining though and when you think the storm is over, the gusts of wind start up again. Hurricanes are not fun but neither are earthquakes and the rest of what Mother Nature stirs up. Be safe. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 27th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Martha,
I hope you and your crew stay safe. Thanks for the Saturday blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 27th, 2011 at 10:20 am
I lived on the Gulf Coast for many years, and lived through many hurricanes. I suggest if you must leave the table out on your porch, I suggest that you put it on its side-with the top against your house. The chairs need to be put in the carport or at least tied to the railing outside. I can see how much you love your beautiful home, and I hope it makes it unscathed. Good luck!
Posted by: Steve S. | August 27th, 2011 at 11:01 am
From all of your fans in New Orleans. Stay safe and don't take any chances. Bring as much in as you can and don't assume anything will be safe. Hopefully Irene will just be lot's of rain by the time it gets to you. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. That's our motto down here. Remember the pets get very anxious when something is going on. They feel the pressure change and can get very upset. The main thing we always worry about are the tornadoes. Be on the look out for those. You can replace lot's of things. Just make sure you and staff and animals are safe. Best of luck to you. I know we will get lots of pictures after it's over. Hopefully they will be of very limited damage and your beautiful home is fine. Stay safe. Beth
Posted by: Beth Salles | August 27th, 2011 at 11:07 am
I hope you give Shaun a raise!
Posted by: Kelly | August 27th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Martha, I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, and we have a lot of hurricane experience here! Anything unattached that you leave outside can become airborne in gale force winds. Your table and chairs on the porch could easily become missiles that could come crashing through your windows. If you can't tie or bolt it down, take it inside! Hope y'all escape unscathed! Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | August 27th, 2011 at 11:29 am
Hi Martha, I have been so concerned about the safety at your Bedford farm and after seeing The Daily Wag yesterday with sweet F&S touring the farm to make sure all of the animals were safe, as well as everything growing on the farm I knew that your great farm workers were doing all they could to keep everything safe. This terrific blog post today also shows how much safer your Bedford farm looks. I know all the animals will be inside the stable with Betsy and the chicken and geese will go in their coops so they will be safe. Hope the beehives don't get blown over. Will Alexis and Jude come out to the farm to be safer? Sure hope so. I'm watching MSNBC to follow hurricane Irene, my fingers are crossed, and I pray to Dear God that everyone, including animals will be safe during this horrible storm. Hope your weekend improves ASAP! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 27th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for the post. Hope you, family, friends and all stay safe. I'm in central NY (Syracuse area) we don't expect it to be too horrible here, we're cautiously optimistic! Oh and I just did a survey as being part of the consumer advisory board for you. I hope you make my pics for the Holiday mag!
Love to all!
Adrienne
Posted by: Adrienne | August 27th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
I am glad you took your plants in they were just beautiful, and you can always put them out with a fall twist after the storm is over. I have plants I have had for over 20 years and would be devastated if something happened to them.Hoping everything turns out okay.
Posted by: Donna Kimpan | August 27th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
That's quite an undertaking. Glad you have the man-power to do this. Stay Safe you all ; )
Posted by: Aspen Marks | August 27th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
OUR COMPANY JUST GAVE US A CHICKEN DINNER FOR ALL OUR HARD WORK THRU THE HEAT THIS SUMMER AND ALSO THE BAD ONIONS WE HAD TO DEAL WITH,THATS ALOT OF STUFF(PLANTS ETC FOR YOUR PEOPLE TO PUT UP,IM SURE YOU'LL BE FEEDING THEM ALL ONE NICE MEAL WHEN THE STORM IS OVER,GOOD LUCK!!!
Posted by: kat | August 27th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
I love and respect you, and that's wonderful that you're sharing this but, unfortunatly, not everyone has a farm staff to help them prepare. I really hope that you're going to offer help and support to your community if there is any devestation. You have everything any person could ever need or want. Don't you think it's time to give back?
Posted by: BUCK | August 27th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Good luck Martha, and all NE residents, I wish no damage to your property.
Posted by: Mary | August 27th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
All the folks posting comments about re-positioning the table and such are absolutely CORRECT! You would be surprised what strong winds can do! I am a veteran of several FL hurricanes and things you THINK will be fine often are not.
Posted by: vjhr | August 27th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Our hearts and prayers go out to you, your family and your staff and animals. It's a long hard process preparing for a hurricane. You spend your precious time before landfall trying to shore up valuables. Beth, also from New Orleans is right, your animals will be stressed because of this. I tend to give them a few extra treats and a whole bunch more loving. Stay safe and thanks for educating the rest of the country as to what people in coastal communities MUST do to protect their lives and lively hoods.
Posted by: Vicki | August 27th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
I would be worried about the glass breaking on the greenhouses. Have you seen the plastic house wrap that they have come up with to cover your house. You stake it into the ground and it is supposed to provide wind resistance. Good luck.
Posted by: Cynthia | August 27th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Stay safe Martha!
Love your show!
Merry in Texas...
Posted by: Merry | August 27th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
As for the trees...don't hold your breath. There is hardly a tree standing that a hurricane can't bring down. Been there. My home was badly damaged and my inlaws' house was destroyed by trees.
Posted by: vjh | August 27th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Best of luck Martha, we all know how much you appreciate your homes. Praying that you will be spared.
Posted by: Robin Ball | August 27th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Wishing you and everyone that works so hard for you safety. I hope that your beautiful home (homes) are spared damage from this crazy Hurricane... M. Goff
Posted by: Myrna Goff | August 27th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Thank you for sharing the preparations...very fascinating on a larger scale. And exhausting! I only had to move in my plants from front & back porches--now my dining table is covered. Will be very interesting to see the aftermath, hopefully all will be well with you and everyone else affected by this storm. Stay safe, everyone!
Posted by: jenrc | August 27th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Sending our best wishes for your safe journey through Irene. It was nice of you to post your preparation pictures. It is always good to see pictures of your farm. Did you feel last week's earthquake in Bedford?
Posted by: Patti Ann | August 27th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
I pray for you all,Monica
Posted by: monica | August 27th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
so much time and money making just wonderful places to live. What a wonderful example of how we should be taking care of our homes no matter what may come our way. I wish you well!!!
Posted by: Carrie Spencer | August 27th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
We had the same problem with our very old Apple Tree....There was such an abundance of Apples this year that it couldn't handle the weight. It never crossed my mind that something like that could happen. I was actually walking toward the tree when this rustle of leaves started and I thought birds were fighting in the branches and then suddenly the branch just tipped over, down to the ground, still hanging on by a thin piece of wood. It startled me!
Posted by: Deborah Mahoney | August 27th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Be safe Martha. Your crew is just amazing!!!! Bring the chairs in though...best to not risk it.Hope the damage is minimal if any.Lots of people praying for everyone's safety.
Posted by: Rosa O. Clifford | August 27th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Stay safe Martha.
oxox
Posted by: Mike | August 27th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I would take your table and chairs inside, not only can they get damaged but they could damage something else if they start flying around. I live in Bermuda and we get at least one hurricane or scare a year. Everything comes in. A lot of work for you and your crew, and will hope for the best for your apple trees. I hear that the hurricane has weakened in strength but still a large hurricane - we experienced one last year which did a lot of damage merely by the relentlessness of the wind, which continued for a long time. Good luck all, and stay safe. Oh and board up your windows.
Posted by: Joy | August 27th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Beautiful pictures. Always enjoy tales from the Domestic Goddess. From what I understand about the degree of the storm your preps are perfect.
Posted by: Lyn Lewis | August 27th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
I live in Florida where we usually face hurricanes every year. Those chairs and table need to go inside. Moving things around will not make a difference. Put everything inside;)Be safe!!
Posted by: Tina | August 27th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Glad to see you providing for the hurricane. Remember that anything can become a missile and that includes your chairs. Also anything you have can be replaced except life. If the trees are gone after the storm remember it is always great to plant new ones.. Stay safe and God bless
Posted by: Janice | August 27th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Dear Martha
Hi My name is Sharon I live in elpaso,TX. Can u please help me pray for my Dad and his family and my Brother and his Family to make it threw the strom. Thank you very much,Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Polin | August 27th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for sharing your hurricane preparation photos. Looks like you're all set, especially with that wonderful generator.
Here in MA, we have harvested the garden, brought in all the potted plants and either tied down or put away the outdoor furniture.
Stay safe and God bless,
Jane
Posted by: Jane | August 27th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
...thanks for sharing, Martha. I have to agree, the chairs & tables need to come inside. Sending prayers of protection your way.
Posted by: Linda/ Kannapolis, NC | August 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Compared to our puny 5KW generator, yours is a monster! What size is it?
Posted by: Lorna Cluett | August 27th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
I was thinking of what preps you would do for the hurricane! Hang on Martha! Hopefully it won't be too bad for your trees etc.! Hunker down, make a latte and pray for the best.
Thinking of you here in B.C.
Posted by: Frances | August 27th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Iam praying and thinking of you and your animals at this time.Take care!
Posted by: Cindy | August 27th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Martha, prayers that all of you (livestock included) will be safe and all those who cannot leave NYC. We have experienced some hurricane weather here in San Antonio, but nothing the size of Irene. Please know that the entire country is praying for all of you on the East Coast.
Posted by: Leslie | August 27th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Martha, Take those chairs off the porch, they will fly like Dorothy if you don't. We live in Houston and know about these things.
Posted by: Diane Kaste | August 27th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I'm concerned about that reservoir...though I know nothing about it. Stay safe, Martha.
Posted by: gmc | August 27th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Hi Martha, bring those potted "palm" plants inside. They're going to be shredded. Having lived in Miami, i can tell you almost nothing is safe. A sustained wind can be as bad as high wind over a short time.
I did think of you yesterday and how you must be marshalling crews in Bedford, East Hampton AND Maine as all three of your homes are right smack in the path of the hurricane. And all your homes decked out for summertime enjoyment. What a gigantic nuisance. "Stuff" can always be replaced. As long as the animals and people are safe. Loved the previous comment "Give Shawn a raise" Not such a bad idea !!! :~))
Posted by: Jacqui | August 27th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Good luck with Irene. Our prayers are with everyone in her path.
Posted by: Cindy | August 27th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Keeping an eye out for you and all those in Irene's path from here in Melbourne, Australia. I hope you and all your friends, animals and beautiful trees remain safe and unharmed. Please keep us informed!
Posted by: Ania | August 27th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Wow, your home is just beautiful. Be safe. A few years ago we had a hurricane take out all of our childhood Christmas ornaments that we had stored in an outdoor closet. Mother nature certainly has a way of reminding us who is in charge. Best wishes that everyone comes out unscathed.
Posted by: Robin | August 27th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Prayers from Illinois for all on the East coast. Martha, best wishes with your family, farm and farm animals. Some locations show the storm is not as bad as thought to be.
Posted by: Culartskim | August 27th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Martha,
I am very close to your Bedford home and I admire your prep work. I too have been busy shuffling all of my plants and outdoor furniture. I took your advice and turned my table upside down and stacked the chairs against the home. I think they will be fine.
I was so concerned about the Moon Flowers I planted in pots this year, so I actually unvined them and brought them inside! Tedious, but a pride and joy I refuse to allow to be destroyed. Funny thing is, I received my first flower late this afternoon in my kitchen! It's beautiful.
Buddy, our dog, has been very ill today. Quiet, lethargic, vomiting and diareah. I am hoping it is the sudden change in weather and the high humidity. Do you have any insight about this?
Wishing you and everyone a safe "journey" through the storm. Please stay safe!
Dan
Posted by: Daniel LeBlanc | August 28th, 2011 at 12:44 am
How do you get the Staghorn ferns to stay on the wall? I have been thinking about doing this with other tropical plants on a smaller scale.
Thank You! Roxanna Fuller
Posted by: Roxanna Ladora Fuller | August 28th, 2011 at 6:26 am
My parents had a 30+ year old, healthy, well rooted avocado tree disappear during Hurricane Andrew. Their other 30+ year old trees: mangos, other avocado, etc stayed put. My dad drove around for probably a square mile around the neighborhood never found the tree. We stared at that big hole in the ground for a couple weeks in disbelief.
There is never a good place "protected from the wind" with a hurricane. Better to take in all the furniture so they don't become projectiles.
Hope for the very best!
Posted by: Mary | August 28th, 2011 at 10:05 am
After the the night-the morning. After the storm-the sun. North Dakota is in the very center of USA but does not mean we have no flooding as water goes where it will. Rivers can be dammed up, called lakes, but nature prevails. Our winter storms are called blizzards and often the temperture falls to a dangerous -30 degrees farenheit. Investing in waterfront is a choice and your place has much beauty.
Posted by: ann | August 28th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hi Martha, I hope you survived the wrath of Irene. How did you and your farm hold up during the storm? Not too much damage, I hope. As I write this on early Sunday evening, the wind appears to be picking up considerably from my perch here in N. Jersey. Best regards. Matt
Posted by: Ron | August 28th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I hope everything remained intact and most importantly that you and your wonderful staff were safe from the elements.
Posted by: sherey | August 29th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Hi Martha,
Without your loyal and tireless staff you would have lost so much. I hope they had time to secure their own residences. You are so lucky to have a generator. We are still without power. Lost all my food and are without water. I hope you were safe.
Posted by: Sharon Hines | August 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm