Mid-February Around the Farm
In case you’re wondering what’s been going on around my farm, the answer is, actually, quite a bit! This winter, we’ve been spared a lot of heavy snowfall and the temperatures have been above normal for long stretches of time. Taking advantage of all of that, my farm crew has been busy getting many chores done that are usually slated for completion in the spring. Perennial beds have been cleared very nicely and a mountain of composted mulch has been spread over the gardens. My vegetable garden has also gotten a big boost with a process called double-digging. Take a look.
1 Taking advantage of the warm temperatures and unfrozen soil, I asked that the vegetable garden be double-dug. Double-digging soil is much more effective than rototilling.
2 Double-digging loosens and improves soil to a depth that rototilling just cannot reach. Basically, you dig down with a shovel, and turn the whole shovel load over, flipping the nutrients at the top down to the bottom.
3 Double-digging also improves drainage, movement of air, and the loosened soil allows roots to grow and extend more easily.
4 You could amend the soil before double-digging, but this soil is already so rich in organic material, and the nutrients at the top are flipped to the bottom.
5 Double-digging loosens and aerates the soil down to a depth of about 16-inches, which is about three times the depth that a rototiller reaches.
6 Perennial plants, such as cardoons, asparagus, horseradish, and rhubarb were left undisturbed.
7 You can just imagine that with such uncompacted soil, plant roots have so much freedom to reach out and establish themselves. The soil will be reworked again in the springtime before the beds are formed and planted.
8 Adjacent to the vegetable garden is the berry patch. The canes of these raspberries have recently been thinned out and pruned back, which will allow for new fruit-bearing growth in the spring.
9 Top-dressing all of the perennial beds is another chore that's getting done early this year, thanks to the mild winter.
10 The long daffodil border looks very tidy.
11 The Asiatic lily beds look great.
12 The compost yard is where all of the composted mulch has been coming from. This pile, which was once enormous, is shrinking in size as truckload after truckload is spread on the garden beds.
13 It really is, what gardeners refer to as, 'black gold.'
14 The composted mulch provides lots of nutrients and also acts as an insulating blanket, protecting tender perennials from all of our fluctuating temperatures.
15 This climbing hydrangea caught my eye.
16 It has many swollen buds ready to pop.
17 The azaleas are also showing a lot of growth.
18 No ice on the giant bird bath saucer
19 Billy, Rufus, and Clive were enjoying the warmth of the sun.
20 Oops! Stop growing, daffodils!
21 The allee of linden is beginning to display its russet bud-growth hue.
22 Right next to the allee of linden, towards the bottom of the daffodil border, is the recently planted witch hazel grove. Witch hazel shrubs are very welcome in the landscape, as they bloom during the coldest winter months.
23 This is Hamamaelis Inter. 'Jelena' - This witch hazel has large, fragrant, bright-yellow spidery flowers that are tinged with red in the center.
24 Witch hazel, the astringent, is derived from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel shrub. This plant was widely used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans.
25 Hamamelis Vernalis 'Amethyst' my be the only witch hazel having lavender to light purple blooms. It was actually named by my good friend, horticulturist extraordinaire, Don Shadow.
26 Hamamelis x intermedia 'Old Copper' - This hybrid witch hazel bears unusual coppery-red blooms that, upon close inspection, are red with deep orange tips.
27 Hamamelis Intermedia 'Diane' is prized for its coppery red flowers and is considered one of the best of the red flowering varieties.
28 Hamamelis Mollis 'Superba' - These highly fragrant blooms have petals that are red at the base and grade to light orange at the tip. The blooms last well into April.
29 Directly behind the witch hazel bed is a very sunny spot in the daffodil border. These plants are way too tall for February!
30 Looking across the farm towards a stand of weeping willow trees. Like the lindens, the willows have assumed their golden spring hue.
31 Look closely at the unmistakable blue and red plumage of the eastern bluebird. These attractive birds are mostly insectivorous or omnivorous and they appear to be flourishing in the woods this winter.
32 Something else that lends color to the winter landscape are these thorny wild raspberry canes.
33 The bark of these woody canes is almost as pink as the fruit they bear.
34 Every so often, one comes across trees with unusual growth habits, like these maples growing side-by-side.
35 It seems as though the upper tree has formed cushioning bumpers, like puckering lips, keeping the two trunks from constantly hitting each other.
36 The bubble patterns on the surface of this gurgling stream look like brushstrokes on canvas.
37 This is an area of the farm that's seldom seen, located behind my greenhouse along the edge of the wetlands. This is where I have planted several varieties of pussy willows, which, like weeping willows, are members of the Salix family.
38 This is Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', also referred to as dragon's claw willow and the corkscrew willow. Unlike other pussy willows, its curly stem is the real attraction.
39 And this is the Salix discolor, whose common name is True Pussy Willow. This is the variety that most people know.
40 Its branches are brown and bear familiar gray catkins. When the catkins grow bigger, you can remove the scales from the catkins by running your hand along the branch.
41 This is Salix sachalinensis Sekka, or fantail willow, known for its curiously flattened stems. These are great in floral arrangements.
42 This variety is called Salix Chaenomeloides, commonly known as the Giant Pussy Willow or The Japanese Pussy Willow.
43 The winter bud scales, which are a lustrous reddish-brown, have popped with the recent warm temperatures to expose the soft puffs of velvety gray catkins.
44 And this pussy willow is known as Salix humilis, also called purple heirloom.
45 Salix humilis has blond or light colored bark that bears dark purplish-gray catkins.
46 I want to point out here how easy it is to root pussy willows. Almost all willows take root very readily from cuttings. This little one-year-old tree has grown from a stem cutting, rooted in water and then planted in the ground.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Love your farm.I bet it is beautiful when everything blooms.all my sedums are popping up and I have been trying to keep them covered,will this keep them from freezing?
Posted by: Wilma Spicer | February 17th, 2012 at 6:27 am
No double digging here, as our ground is frozen, even though mildest winter ever. Love the sign I have put up in middle
SHHH GARDEN IS SLEEPING.
Rototilling doesn't seem to fit in my way of gradening either. An early spring for sure and nothing to do but sit back and enjoy it.
Posted by: ann | February 17th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Have a question for you.Do you know if tere is a White Forsythia ?My sister-in-law gave me some roots,that she said it was white forsythia.I have never seen any no where.I love the yellow forsythia,I have 4 of them,they are beautiful,in the spring.be waiting to hear .Thanks,Love your show
Posted by: Wilma Spicer | February 17th, 2012 at 6:40 am
Thanks for a very informative post. I always love to read about what's happening at "the farm."
Posted by: Burndett Andres | February 17th, 2012 at 8:19 am
Unbeknownst to Martha, the gardeners are hatching a secret plot to make this a basketball court. Hoops, anyone?
Posted by: r steven page | February 17th, 2012 at 8:24 am
Thanks for updating is on what's been going on at your farm Martha! It has been a weird winter. I'm not complaining though! We have always double dug our gardens, much better than rototilling. Thanks for the tutorial on the witch hazel bushes and the pussy willows, the corkscrew willow is my favorite! Your whole farm is beautiful but I still like the Allee of Linden best! Have a great weekend Martha! By the way, that photo of Billy, Rufus and Clive is too cute.
Posted by: Cindy F | February 17th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 17th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Hi Martha, Your beautiful Bedford farm looks so great and ready for planting even though it is still winter time! Double-digging all that garden soil makes it look so ready and then applying lots of compost is terrific! You have the best crew who is getting the garden area ready for spring planting and I can't wait to see that, too! The berry patch looks great, also with so many beautiful berries almost ready to bloom! All of the perennial beds look so clean and the daffodils sure are ready, too! Those azaleas are gorgeous and so are the witch hazels! How fun to see Clive, Rufus, and Billy-they look so darling! All of the trees look great, too and love the pussy willows! What a fun tour this was-so gorgeous and inspiring! Hope you have a great day and wonderful weekend! Off to see The Daily Wag where Franny made some delicious dog biscuits for Sharkey's 7th birthday on Saturday- Happy Birthday sweet Sharkey! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 17th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Hi Martha,
I miss dirt! I could triple-dig my garden and I'd still get sand, wet sand that looks like dirt but it's still sand. I'd like to try to grow a pussy willow in a planter if all I need to do is have it take root from a cutting. Oh yeah, where am I going to get a cutting! Anyway, I've liked those plants since I was a kid and would see them at my grandmother's house in Canada. I like your witch hazel grove too. I don’t think I know of anyone who has as many varieties of plants as you do. Amazing! I can’t wait to see your vegetable garden this year which should be double-bountiful after double-digging. Have a nice weekend! Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 17th, 2012 at 10:38 am
The plow was designed to replace hand digging. One plow, one man, one farm. Move the perennials. I have used a shovel to dig up a significant garden patch. I can not get anyone to repeat the process. They will bring in a tractor and plow it however. Appreciate you work crew, shovels are a way of the past.
Posted by: Margie | February 17th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Always love a great blog about the farm. My favorite pictures is of the Clive, Rufus and Billy. They look like they have such cute personalities.
Posted by: mona c | February 17th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Love the rock walls!
Posted by: ValerieInSLC | February 17th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Aaaahhhh! The promise of springtime! Delightful pictures! Now I must get digging but in Vancouver it is a little too soggy!!! Waiting, waiting for the sun!
Posted by: Frances | February 17th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I really like that sauce shaped bird bath.
And the donks made an appearance!
It's been rather mild here in NH!
Spring isn't far away.....
Posted by: gail pierson | February 17th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
So much fun to wander in the garden in early Spring (even though it's not officially Spring).
It gives me a sense of well-being and that all is well with the environment when i see things stirring...like all those bulbs i've planted.
Posted by: sherey | February 17th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Dear Martha, what a treat for wintery eyes, I too have several pussy willows which are at least 30 feet tall, too tall for my husband to cut me long boughs as the smaller bird loved to fossick over them for the little insects all year round, so today I will go and take some cuttings. Also I have a tortured willow which is what you have, it is one of my favourites, my most favourite in my garden is the North American Amelanchier (not sure of acc. spelling). Where I live it is almost the end of summer which we have hardly had any of, already my daffodils are up, it is a crazy world, thank you for a walk through your farm.
Posted by: Aussie gal | February 17th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Thanks for a truly fun, informative, and relaxing tour of your farm. You've got me stoked for spring proper to come!
Posted by: Ed Stacey | February 17th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Double dig as opposed to tilling? I will try that out, thanks for the beautiful photos showing so much gardening inspiration!
Posted by: Jezibels | February 17th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
I Love all your blogs I learn so much I live in southeast Texas, it gets so hot here during the summer its hard to keep flowers and our yard up. We have two seasons Hot and mild I wish we lived were there were 4 seasons. Thanks for the pictures and blogs.
Posted by: Liz Boudreaux | February 17th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
The azelias and the forsythia are blooming in suburban Philadelphia. It is so mild this winter. Hard to really understand. I am thinking that I will plants my forced tulips and daffodils this spring early.
Posted by: E. Teresa Touey | February 17th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Love the stone walls and boy the buds make me want spring now. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof | February 17th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
How many people do you have on staff that help you with your gardening? Do you get out on the farm and dig in the dirt too? You have such a beautiful farm that I know you must love to walk everyday and see all it's beauty. I love it on the farm too. My grandparent's worked on a farm in the summer so there friends could go on a vacation. I use to come along for a week too to vist them. I use to love playing with the baby farm animals. I also love to tease the bulls, although my grandmother warned me what might happen and it did once and I never went by that old bull pen every again! Thank you for sharing your life on your beautiful farm. Have a pleasent eveing. Judy
Posted by: Judy Oliveria | February 17th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Those boys worked it! Hope there was plenty of beer in the fridge after all that.
Posted by: Mario | February 18th, 2012 at 12:01 am
Martha I just love your gardens the way you wrap everything for the winter, plant for summer i wish i could do something with my little 3.5 but i have,nt even been able to clear the 7 trees from last year or even make my walkway look pretty again but i love looking at yours winter ,spring, summer and fall thanks for the beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Virginia Martin | February 18th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Yes, I agree that double-digging is very good for a vegetable garden. The natural aeration is healthy, and the spring rains will fill in the holes & gaps nicely. Plus what's wonderful to sweat a little in the garden and handle the soil, break up its compactness --- all those clumps looking up at the sky. Later, indoors, I tend to my blisters and think about what to plant and where, recalling last summer and forecasting the summer ahead.
Posted by: Penny | February 18th, 2012 at 12:47 am
I've already had several blooms on my old fashioned lilac azaleas, very unusual, and even more odd, we've had red-breasted robins here (LA--Lower Alabama) for well over a month.
Your farm is so lovely!
Posted by: Kim | February 18th, 2012 at 1:44 am
Exciting! I'm going to have to get Witch Hazel, curly willow, and the flat willow. Thanks for sharing. My daffodils are a tad bit taller than yours here in the midwest. Hoping neither of ours get frozen!
Posted by: Julie | February 18th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Hi Martha- I wanted to share my heirloom seed site with you, as I know its about time/or is time to sow seeds in many places... You have enough room to have a great veggie garden and I look forward to keeping up with it
Thank you! Kelly from http://www.theartofseed.com
Posted by: Kelly | February 18th, 2012 at 7:46 am
Hello Martha. Seeing your Photos Give Inspiration to start working on our garden Beds Also. Not much Of A Gardner Always Love To See What You Are Growing, All your Old And New Projects. We Have About An Acre Of Property( Not as much as yours) We Would Love To Fill In Our Yard With Veggies,Flowers,Different Types Of Plants We Need A Good Eye For This Any Suggestions? Your Welcome To Visit.:-).And Give Your Input. That Would Be A Dream Come True( Love To See You Do A Book On Just Gardening Which Would Include Flowers And Veg,How To Projects I Hope Maybe I Can Inspire You! Best To You Always.
Posted by: Darlene Martinez | February 18th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Had no idea there were so many varities of Pussy Willows. Awesome. There are some down the road I may try to transplant. I still have two inches of snow but it warmed up yesterday and a sunny day today.
I love knowing what is going on at the farm as you are about two weeks ahead. It looks like I will be double digging my first vegetable garden in a few weeks.
Posted by: Rachel | February 18th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Fun way to get inspired in February;looking at what's happening at Martha's! I won't be able to find anyone to hand dig but my hubby will jump on his old John Deere, when spring arrives here in Minnesota, and dig the big garden patch. We then take the skid loader and clean out some composted manure from the horse yard and spread on the garden. A few weeks later we plant the pumpkin patch and all garden. . . .and it takes off in a huge way. Love your inspirational ways, Martha!!! Becky
beckyredbarn.com
Posted by: Becky | February 18th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
That is some fine looking dirt, can't wait to be able to get out there and do some digging!
Posted by: SVLynn | February 18th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Hi Deere, I can smell your farm from here... It is beautiful. Working from home really does have its advantages when you're older. Take a look at my garden, http://tiny.cc/mygarden
Posted by: Debrah Yenes | February 18th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
My daffodils are sprouting too early, too. What a crazy, warm winter we had in the Northeast this year! To my recollection, and I've lived here all my life, I've never seen a winter this consistantly mild. You're smart to take advantage of the weather to get a good start on the spring chores. Your farm gives me inspiration and it's always a joy to see the stages of growth. Thank you for posting, Martha!
Posted by: Judy | February 18th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
I really like your blog...great pics and so much inspiration..If you want some swedish interior inspiration check out my blog....Inredningsvi.se
LOVE Maria at inredingsvis
Posted by: Maria på inredningsvis.se | February 19th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Keep on inspiring.... Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Bob Hawkinson | February 19th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Thank you, so ready to get out there and start double digging !
Posted by: Dale Coykendall | February 19th, 2012 at 11:45 am
I always enjoy your pictures. Thank you for sharing. I love farms and the beauty they offer.
Thank you again for sharing, and congratulations to you and to Ghenghis Khan. He is a beautiful dog.
Posted by: Helena Pereira | February 19th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
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Soft Winter Bonus
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A climbing hydrangea, have you heard?
Wraps its arms around the bole without a word.
Buds filled to poppin', azaleas lookin' on,
The giant bird bath saucer whose ice is gone.
Cute nosey neighbours, out for a sunning,
Daffodils too early start their running.
Allee of lindens with their burnt orange tinge,
Close by yellow spidery aliens on the fringe.
Many varied witch hazel blooms enjoy the sun,
And reaching up, the daffy, not to be out done.
A stand of weeping willows with their golden hue,
There's a fat little red bird, who is really blue.
Wild raspberry with thorny canes of pink,
Two fun loving maples, dont you think?
A busy stream with a mosaic of foam,
And some pussy willows destined for home.
So many varieties of pussy willow, did you know?
The writer learns from Martha,with room to grow.
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aaks
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Posted by: celia stock | February 20th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
DEAR MARTHA
I WAS DEVASTATED TO HEAR THEY HAVE CANCELLED YOU
ON HALLMARK. I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT. I RECEIVE YOUR MAGAZINE ALONG WITH FOOD AND WANT TO TELL YOU EVERY RECEIPE IS JUST
WONDERFUL.
YOU JUST KEEP PLUGGING ALONG. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL WOMAN. I AM NOT YOUNG I WILL BE 73 IN APRIL. I STILL LOVE TO COOK IN MY KITCHEN AND THERE IS ALMOST NOTHING I WONT TRY. I HAVE JUST JOINED YOUR SITE FOR I AM NEW ON WORKING A COMPUTER. IM DOING FINE.
PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR WORK. I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING YOU ON TV FOR YEARS TO COME.
SINCERELY,SALLIE RICE
SALLIE M RICE
VENICE, FL
Posted by: SALLIE RICE | February 20th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Hi Martha, really enjoy what you've been doing at the farm. I'm starting gardening myself and am trying to absorb your skill and knowledge. But our of curiosity, how do you choose your selection of flower and plants? How do you get the idea?
Love you!
Posted by: Ms. O | February 21st, 2012 at 4:04 am
Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the principal that 'like cures like', in a tiny dilution - hamamelis 'witch hazel', in its many varieties,is one. Echinacea is another.
Do you know all the healing plants that you have in your garden?
Once again, thank you for your sharing. Your information is always inspirational and often helps jog the gray matter
Posted by: Louise | February 21st, 2012 at 12:38 pm
I have double dug my garden each year. But at my place it's called, "too cheap to rent a rototiller". lol Thanks Martha! Now I know the process is actually better, and not just based on thriftiness.
Glen
Posted by: Glen Nyhus | February 21st, 2012 at 1:14 pm
We used to hire a local man with a large pony and a single plow to do this. I always enjoyed watching him turn our garden and the neighbors garden. With your large gardens, the Friesians would have plenty of space to maneuver. They already drive and they would enjoy the work.
Posted by: Sarah from Oklahoma | February 6th, 2013 at 7:08 am