Early December Around the Farm
So much is going on around the farm in preparation for the onset of winter. As I have been reporting, the crew has had their hands full with damage from the late October snowstorm and with the construction of the new greenhouse. Of course, there were more new trees to be planted and now the focus is on building the framework for all of the burlap coverings, which I firmly believe in. The guys laugh that, if I could, I would cover the entire farm in burlap–not such a bad idea! In addition, we are all busy getting ready for the holidays. The Christmas decorations are coming out of storage and the farm is beginning to look festive, but I’ll save that for another posting!
1 The sky was very surreal on this day. Puffy, dramatic clouds kept rolling through all day long.
2 One minute it was cloudy, and then suddenly there was blue sky.
3 The shadows and light were constantly changing.
4 A view towards my house - You can see the tall trees along Girdle Ridge Road and how so many have suffered broken limbs from the terrible recent storms.
5 The corn crib with a neighbor's house off in the distance. We don't see this building when there are leaves on the trees.
6 Notice how long the shadows are as the sun sinks lower and lower on the horizon with the approaching winter solstice, which falls on December 22nd this year. The good news is that the days begin to grow longer after that date.
7 A view from the stable looking up a carriage road. The sun was very bright, causing a lens flare.
8 The in-ground birdbath reflected beautifully.
9 Wonderful light walking through the maple grove
10 Delicate winged tree seeds
11 Desiccated tree leaves
12 These late-clinging apples look so lonely.
13 A newly planted weeping ginkgo tree. The bamboo framework over the boxwood is for the winter burlap protection.
14 My pair of giant Kenneth Lynch urns has been neatly covered in burlap for the winter.
15 All of the large garden ornaments that remain outdoors, are capped with plywood, covered with plastic sheeting, and then encased in a burlap covering.
16 The crew is quite skilled at hand-stitching. This may seem like a lot of work, but it takes just one cracked urn from the elements of winter to learn this lesson. For me, it's all about precaution.
17 My antique cement birdbath has its plywood cover before being shrouded in plastic and burlap.
18 Similarly, the air conditioner compressor vents are all covered with plywood, plastic, and burlap to protect the equipment from the harsh elements.
19 Another burlap covered vent at the stable
20 On a recent blog, I commented about buying several new trees. This is another weeping ginkgo which was to be planted inside the herbaceous peony bed. I wanted one gingko in each corner.
21 Both the tractor and the Hi-Lo were needed for this job. Wilmer hooked chains onto the root ball.
22 Very carefully, the Hi-Lo lifted the tree up and over the boxwood hedge, where...
23 It was positioned in the hole and planted.
24 Three liquidambar styraciflua, or American sweetgum, were planted in the corner of this paddock.
25 More bamboo framing for burlap
26 And even more
27 Here, Chhewang is forming a domed structure over the standard lilacs. He starts by pounding four bamboo stakes around each tree.
28 He then uses lengths of plastic tubing to create the dome.
29 The tubing is attached diagonally to the bamboo.
30 It is cinched in place with plastic cable ties.
31 This forms a very neat frame onto which burlap will be stitched, protecting these fragile standards.
32 Meanwhile, Gyurme worked low to the ground applying a protective tape around the apple espalier trees. During winter, rodents often chew on fruit trees.
33 This tree tape has a layer of an undesirable substance which fends off the rodents.
34 Each small tree is neatly wrapped in this fashion.
35 You may recall when I mentioned how some of the granite berry supports snapped during the October snowstorm. Four needed to be replaced.
36 The old bases were dug out and new supports cemented in.
37 Backyard birds have a difficult time finding shelter after the leaves drop. They are also so much more vulnerable to hungry hawks.
38 Several of the London plane trees planted along the road were badly damaged by the heavy snow and were replaced. Wilmer is carrying the wooden stakes that Dominick made with his sawmill to reinforce the new plantings.
39 Each tree gets two stakes.
40 Standing on a small ladder, Wilmer firmly pounds in the stakes.
41 He then cuts lengths of rubber hose.
42 And then passes a long length of 12-guage galvanized wire through the hose.
43 The rubber hose goes around the tree and the wire is wrapped around the stake.
44 He repeats this process on the second stake.
45 The tree is now supported nicely. The rubber hoses protect the tree by not allowing the wire to cut into the bark.
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Hi Martha,
We did the same this past week-end, put up our Christmas decorations, and got the last of the leaves etc from around the yard.
We planted some trees so thanks for the reminder to protect them..
How is the new Grandbaby??? Her 1st Christmas; how exciting for you
Stay warm,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | December 5th, 2011 at 12:58 am
This is a great Blog, Martha! I really like seeing how your crew gets all these "problems" taken care of in advance before they become problems.
You do all the things I'd like to do if I had the means and equipment to do it. Since I don't, I mostly get caught by the elements.
The sky is very beautiful, as is everything else at your farm.
Why don't we ever see very much about Lily Pond? (I hope I have the name correct.)
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 5th, 2011 at 1:11 am
Dear Martha - your farm is so lovely! I am glad that you have the priveledge of owning that property. You take such good care of everything, and it is just beautiful.
Posted by: Cindy | December 5th, 2011 at 7:46 am
Hi Martha,
That first picture is so beautiful. I just love looking at pictures of the farm in all kinds of weather and also the animals on the farm. Your camera is excellent. Do you have different cameras or do you basically use the same one? I will have to put a camera like yours on my Christmas list when I write my letter to Santa. I hope your trees and plants don't have too harsh of a winter to deal with this year.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | December 5th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Luckily here in south Texas we don't usually have to prepare for severe winter weather. The coldest month is typically January and very rarely we have to worry about snow. It's worth the time to prepare and protect your plantings and gardening objects though if you do live in those areas. What is the old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! By the way, thanks for the tip on staking new trees and using rubber hoses to protect the bark.
Posted by: Cindy F | December 5th, 2011 at 8:47 am
....your blog is always my first read in the morning and such a positive way to start the day! Thank you for taking the time to share with pictures and comments!
Peace....
Posted by: Sandra | December 5th, 2011 at 8:53 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 5th, 2011 at 9:36 am
This blog was really interesting. Your employees do a very nice job.
Posted by: Jeri Hill | December 5th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Hi Martha, beautiful photos of the farm. Your employees really did a wonderful job. I can't wait to see your holiday decorations, I am sure it is fabulous. I started decorating the trees in our home and loving loving this month, Christmas spirit, my favorite month of the year.
Best wishes xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 5th, 2011 at 10:32 am
11 below and 4 inches of snow here in Dakota and property is snug under natural cover of natural debris of growth and fallen precipitation. Thanks so much for showing your place and preparation for future. It is never too late to live right now right here.
Posted by: ann | December 5th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Hi Martha,
I’m a one-woman act at my house so I’m glad I don’t have to cover hedges and stake trees although a couple of years ago, my ixora hedge could have used some burlap. It got quite pitiful looking from the elements but luckily revived and even bloomed but not like it did before. No doubt the fertilizer I put down will give it more life. I think it is great that you cover everything in burlap and stake the trees. All that tender loving care is why your farm looks so fantastic when spring rolls around. You never lose sight of its beauty and even your new little trees are given a helping hand to survive the winter. I wonder how many people read your blog but never comment. Well, at least they’re learning something even if they don’t say so. I know I learn something every day. Thanks! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 5th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Hi Martha, Not only do I love seeing your fantastic farm at anytime of the year, but seeing all of the terrific work that your outstanding fellows do is superb! All of these photos of their prewinter work are beautiful and inspiring for all of us who need to protect all we can during the winter! The cloudyness is similar to our area with the dark clouds covering the Olympic Mts. as well as south to Tacoma. We finally had a sunny day yesterday! Love it when days grow longer after Dec. 22 this year! The birdbath reflection was beautiful and how cute the maple seeds looked! I love how the guys cover the urns, boxwoods, lilacs, etc. with bamboo framing and burlap-excellent! I had no idea that rodents chew on the apple trees. That was great tape they used to cover the barks! The replacement of those 4 granite supports was also great to see! Seeing more of your rock wall along the road was was great, too! Thanks for another wonderful farm blog! Thanks also for your latest tweet about your 3 precious donkeys!!! The Daily Wag is about the newest fashions available at PetSmart-terrific! Hope you have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 5th, 2011 at 11:04 am
Thanks for sharing your pictures!! Boy I wish I had some help with all my yardwork!! Your hard working employees certainly work for their money!!
Posted by: Sharon | December 5th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Martha,
I have enjoyed all your blogs even if I only find time every few days to check in on the great things you are showing us.
We are still dragging branches off and there are twigs everywhere. Not good with snow covering things. Our green grass is no more so I will enjoy this blog showing your farm help having good working conditions to get things winter ready.
Posted by: Margie | December 5th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Thanks Martha for sharing beautiful photos of the farm as well as giving great detailed info on how to care for shrubbery, trees, even protection for ac equipment. I love reading your blog because your writing is so detailed accompanied with fabulous photographs. I have just finished decorating for Christmas and will begin baking using several recipes from your baking books. Enjoy each moment...you seem to be doing that though...
Debbe
Posted by: Debbe Collins | December 5th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
So interesting - and useful - to see how your new trees are being staked: I have a new tree to stake this week, so thank you for sharing! x
Posted by: Nicola | December 5th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
That is quite a bit of preparation for Winter, but I realize how important it is.
Let's hope Mother Nature lets us off easy this year.
By the way, you made my day by having the Donks on your TV program!
gail
Posted by: gail pierson | December 5th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
your farm is so beautiful... you always amaze and inspire me. i know you have a lot of help from your staff but it is also your vision!! amazing! i ran across an article in the wsj magazine that comes out a few times a year.... you are 70 and going strong. i am 28 and feel exhausted at the day: a full time job and a regular sized house and two kids and a dog is.. well.. completely average. so i am sucking it up and making time not excuses for not working out or not getting projects i want done done ! thank you for inspiring me in so many ways your long lost son Alexis !
Posted by: alex | December 6th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Martha Thank you for sharing all your Beautiful Photo's of your Lovely ground's At Your Estate in Bedford. You are amazing at all that you do,you are a great Inspiration.I take pride in all that i have learned over the year's and most all they were inspired by you! Have a wonderful Holiday season,Many Blessing's to you and your family.
Posted by: Darlene Martinez | December 7th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Everything is so beautifully taken care of. Thoroughly enjoyed your photographic journey showing all the work being done. Are you using a wide angle lens on your camera???
Posted by: Sue | December 9th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Martha ,Thanks for sharing your beautiful readiness for the winter to approach ...What a blessing it is to have such beautiful and bounty.
Cause Its a Good Thing !!
Love to learn and experience the beauty from the pictures..tks. Love your show and Keep Doing what you do best
I cant wait until I'm feeling better to be able to do some of the out door and indoor Holiday duties..Im praying for better health and a better new Year...Amen..
Posted by: Patricia Bowling | December 9th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Hi Martha, I love reading your blog and learning about your farm and what you are doing. I watch your show every day! I just found out you are in Sydney!! What a joy it would be if you could come to my apartment in wolli creek and visit while you are in Sydney. If not, then I really hope I can meet you sometime - maybe even go to one of your shows. You are certainly an inspiration!
Posted by: Dwane Hand | December 11th, 2011 at 3:30 am