Mid-March at the Farm
About three weeks ago, I showed you photographs of what was blooming around the farm both outdoors and inside the greenhouses. With no snow and with such mild temperatures, we’ve all gotten used to seeing so many flowers in bloom. I hope you’ll enjoy this collection of pictures showing more blooming flowers and also some of the progress of what’s been happening around the farm.
1 An early March landscape of my farm with billowy clouds
2 Despite a mild winter, the landscape is still quite brown.
3 Lichen growing upon the paddock fencing - Lichen are unusual composite organisms - a symbiotic relationship of a fungus and an algae. Lichens are able to exist in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
4 With such mild temperatures, the spring-flowering bulbs are off to an early start, like these little white crocus naturalizing in a section of lawn.
5 Purple crocuses are growing nicely near the little house that holds my antique basket collection.
6 These bright yellow crocus mysteriously appeared this year, probably relocated by a foraging squirrel.
7 The daffodil border that stretches the length of Maple Avenue has gotten quite tall in recent days.
8 And there are plenty of buds ready to burst open.
9 Chiondoxa, or Glory-of-the-Snow is an early spring bloomer.
10 Glory-of-the-Snow is so-named because in some climates it blooms early enough that it pokes its little bright blue flowers right out of the snow, however, this year, we have no snow.
11 Naturalizing purple crocus near the contemporary house
12 These purple crocus are happy growing in the woods, again, probably relocated there by a squirrel.
13 The little woodland folly is surrounded by woodland plantings.
14 Like these little clusters of puschkinia, which do very well in the woodland.
15 There are also pure white crocus with bright yellow centers.
16 The crocus are happy here and so is this honeybee!
17 My farm crew has been doing a great job of clearing out the woods, with a strong focus on this area known as the wetlands.
18 They have been removing all of the prickly bramble and barberry, which tends to take over.
19 We are talking truckloads!
20 Once overgrown, the wetlands look amazingly clear!
21 This is a view from the opposite side looking towards the pussy willow grove.
22 Ryan and Wilmer have been cutting the pussy willows for indoor arrangements.
23 Fuzzy pussy willows
24 And happy honeybees
25 They have also been doing some major pruning, as the pussy willows had gotten quite tall and overgrown.
26 Pussy willows love moisture and consequently, they thrive along banks of streams or along the edges of wetlands. It's important to prune pussy willows to control their size.
27 Plus, a vigorous pruning encourages new branches to grow, which will produce larger catkins.
28 I asked Ryan to root 500 new pussy willow plants to fill up the wetlands. He placed the cuttings into tubs filled with water.
29 These cuttings will soon grow roots and then can be planted in the ground.
30 Nicely cleared woods
31 A gurgling stream in the woods
32 This is the very distinctive spathe of a skunk cabbage plant growing alongside the stream.
33 This low growing, foul smelling plant grows where there is ample water and it will eventually produce large green leaves that emit a foul, skunk-like odor when cut or torn.
34 The allee of linden with crocuses blooming
35 A closeup of the crocuses - The beds are covered with a mesh netting to help prevent critters from digging the bulbs.
36 The pair of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep have become very friendly.
37 The average wool clip is three to four pounds per sheep.
38 Shearing usually occurs in late April or Early May.
39 Tulips are sprouting in the cutting garden, which is adjacent to the chicken yard.
40 And so are hyacinths
41 There are also sprouting perennials in the vegetable garden.
42 Bright red rhubarb is pushing through the soil. I can't wait for rhubarb crisp and rhubarb pie.
43 It's been so warm that the greenhouses need to be ventilated. This is the newest structure, which was completed last November. It's sides roll up allowing for air flow.
44 Ryan has grown very healthy tomatoes in the cold house.
45 They are finally producing tomatoes.
46 And those tomatoes are getting ripe.
47 Ryan has also been starting seeds in the main greenhouse.
48 Assorted cabbages are growing well.
49 As are these broccoli plants
50 And onions
51 And cardoon
52 And artichokes
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Hi Martha,
Beautiful photos and gorgeous flowers in bloom.
Congratulations on your second grandson Truman. So happy and excited for Alexis and you.
Blessings xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 13th, 2012 at 1:41 am
A commendable effort on the part of the garden crew removing all that barberry !
Posted by: Emma | March 13th, 2012 at 7:07 am
Hi Martha,
I love seeing pictures of the farm. It is an ever changing work of art
thank you for sharing. Congrats on another grandchild.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | March 13th, 2012 at 8:32 am
naughty squirrel!
Posted by: virginia | March 13th, 2012 at 9:06 am
The winter that wasn't is what old timers say here in Dakota. Moving rigs and cattle ranching are weather related industries as much time is spent in outdoor weather feeding and working equipment. More than likely, will never experience such a mild winter again in my lifetime and am truly grateful. Our week end home named for rhubarb is gone but under the earth, roots are alive and will bring forth their bounty once again. So it goes here and your photos of LIVING, disovering the beauty in very small flowers, brown landscape, and magic of seed comfort me this morning and continue to inspire us all.
Posted by: ann | March 13th, 2012 at 9:15 am
What lovely photos, even though the new life has yet to emerge from the earth. Today we clean out our blue birds houses andgive them a fresh coat of blue gray paint. Your greenhouse is wonderful, with all that you have in it, I must compliment your worker for keeping the greenhouse so organized!
Posted by: syl | March 13th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Hi Martha,
I wish I had bulbs popping up all over the place. Yours are so pretty but it’s just too warm down here for the likes of tulips and crocus. I’ve planted them only once outside and of course nothing happened so one year, maybe I’ll try inside. It seems to work out to my advantage if I stick with sun loving Florida plants.
~
Speaking of pussy willow though – I was at a Walmart Super store yesterday and on our way out by the bakery and produce, I spotted bunches of pussy willow! I couldn’t believe it and they cost less than $6.00. I got one bunch because I only have one tall vase. I noticed a few people wondering why I was making such a fuss but I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Haha I’m not going to get my hopes up to think I can root them but I guess it won’t hurt to try so now I’ll go over and get another bunch. Here’s my arrangement: http://www.twitpic.com/8vjd3p
`
I love your daffodil border and always look forward to seeing it in full bloom! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 13th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Hi Martha, Your farm looks so beautiful and your great crew sure is doing a great job trimming and clearing everything! How amazing that your winter has been so mild and it seem more sunny than usual! Our Puget Sound area has been somewhat colder and much wetter than usual and my lawn is very green, mossy, and floody in some spots when it rains. Can't wait to have some dry, sunny days so I can plant my veggies, etc.! My little, old pear tree is fully budded and it has lichens on most of the branches! This tour of your farm is spectacular and all of those flowers blooming are gorgeous! How great to see some of your terrific bees, also! How great that Ryan is planting veggies in the greenhouse and the tomatoes he planted are great with ripe tomatoes already! Love seeing the pussywillows and the bees love them, too! What a delightful, inspiring blog post this one was! Hope you are having a great day no matter where you are! Off to see G.K.'s Wins in Tennessee! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 13th, 2012 at 10:35 am
The farm looks serene and tidy...ready to receive the Spring blossoms. Oh, how spectacular
it will look!
Posted by: sherey | March 13th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Thanks for showing us the touches of spring at your place. I can relate to the truck loads of limbs and brush clearings. It is the same at our place and we must scurry before we find a snake or two underneath all the rubble. The snakes are awaking with the spring bulbs. I am sure they are hungry just like your bees.
Posted by: Margie | March 13th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Happy, happy to see more pics from the farm. Spring really is coming your way. Today its snowing in Vancouver and we are all anxiously waiting for some warm weather here. Can't wait to get out there and get going in the gardens. Its always, always a joy to see your farm! I love it so very much! Thanks Martha!
Posted by: Frances | March 13th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Aack! I had to run out the house too early this AM and haven't had a chance to read your blog till now Martha! Love the pics of your farm, especially the Allee of Lindon(my personal favorite!) I can't help but picture the fun Jude and baby Truman are going to have exploring your farm one day!
To Trish: I'm going to check my local super walmart for the pussy willows,thanks for the tip! They look great in tour vase!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 13th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Very jealous of your purple crocus. I just LOVE them. Mine are barely an inch out of the soil. Not worth taking a photo just yet.
Maybe one day I will come do some paintings of your farm?
A whole building FULL of baskets. I am obsessed right now with buying the perfect picnic basket. I will put it on a trolley with my paint kit so I can wander into fields and gardens to paint. It must have the coffee service and wine. I don't drink much wine but it is very elegant to drink your water or lemonade form a wine glass in a beautiful field. I am going to get a four service one. I won't use all the service as one side I hope I can put the dog's water dish for her when it is just the two of us. I find picnic baskets fascinating old and new. I would love to see all your baskets and learn all about them.
Posted by: RT Scott - Artist | March 13th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
What a wonderful tour of the farm in bloom...I look forward with great anticipation to all your summer pics of your harvest...you have some great farm hands to help you... It looks lovely...
Cathy Rosselli
Posted by: Cathy Rosselli | March 13th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Absolutly beautiful, Martha. I hope one day my 5 acres look this nice.
Posted by: sandy lingo | March 13th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Hi, Martha, Your farm is so pretty. I love the picture.
Posted by: LILI clough | March 13th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
I really miss the wildflowers, tulips, and daffodils that I knew back in Michigan. It is already summer-like here in Arizona.
Posted by: Homer | March 13th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Readers should know that Martha doesn't "clear" all of her woodland. She leaves parts of the woods naturally because she understands native plants (like the skunk cabbage)etc... and wildlife need natural woodlands to survive. In fact she is certified with the National Wildlife Federation's backyard habitat program.
Posted by: ruth b. kolman | March 13th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Thank you for sharing the photos. I'm so ready for spring and flowers to come POPPING up. Then it'll be time to go off hunting for morels. I love the springtime.
Posted by: gertie @ The Old Block House | March 13th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
I realy love your farm Martha! You're my inspiration.
Posted by: Patt-Tidatit | March 14th, 2012 at 1:17 am
First time on your site, I'm in love! So beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing the views and information.
Posted by: Michelle Armstrong | March 14th, 2012 at 7:47 am
Hi Martha,
Congratulations of your new grandson, Truman! How exciting for you! You have two grandchildren to spoil.:) I really like the name, Truman. Very nice. Your farm looks so cleaned up and tidy, ready for the new seasons ahead. Your sheep are so sweet, especially the ram with his gentle eyes. With your shows and busy schedule, it must be so nice to see beauty and nature when you come home. It looks so peaceful. I want to say that I really enjoyed yesterday's black and white show, featuring home decor and the black/white plants. Very interesting and inspirational. Also, today's show was great regarding skin care. The ultrasound facelift procedure looks intriguing and offers something else, other than surgery. Hmmm, something to think about (for me)? Great shows! Thank you, as always, for sharing your life and home, and the great topics on your show!
Posted by: Judy | March 14th, 2012 at 11:36 am
I hope you'll post periodic updates on the artichokes in your garden. I live in Texas and I don't think we grow artichokes here - it would be interesting to see their progress and the harvest.
Posted by: Leslie | March 14th, 2012 at 11:42 am
Thanks Cindy F. for the nice compliment on my pussy willow arrangement. I need to get another tall vase so I don't have to put water in my brass one. Can't find a plastic container small enough for inside yet big enough for flowers. Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 14th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Martha your property brings joy to my heart! Here in southeastern Mass, we have also seen early budding and growth. In fact, I have perennials that never died back! remarkable...although a bit confusing come springtime.
Perhaps we will have a "true" spring this year...much like it was when we were growing up...we were able to wear spring dresses with our white gloves and patent leather shoes. In recent years, I have had my children in warm winter clothing for Easter.
Your property is shaping up nicely. It is time for us to spruce things up here as well.
Martha, if you get the chance, you must don a hat and dark glasses and visit the daffodil fields in Dartmouth Massachusetts out near Davoll's General Store. After a short hike into the woods, you will be awestruck by the fields. A little local treasure.
Posted by: NantucketDaffodil | March 14th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Love the farm update pictures. You definitly provide inspiration for the rest of us. I live in Texas and my daffodils have been blooming for a month. I am waiting for alium and Spanish Blue Bells (inspired by your blue bulbs show 2 years ago). Our winter has been very mild too. We are in the 70's and low 80s and I'm putting summer veggie transplants in my garden now! Amazing. Congratulations on the new grandson and on Jude turning 1. What fun you will have with them (and Alexis)!
Posted by: Mary | March 15th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Looking at these photos brought back fond memories of growing up on a small farm. There is so much peace that's found in working with the soil, watching plants grow and enjoying the sounds of birds and other creatures in the fields. It may be hard work, but it calms the soul and produces lasting memories! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Judy | March 15th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Dear Martha
I love the fence around your farm. I hope one day to have one like it.
Thanks for sharing..
Thelma Day
Posted by: Thelma from Quebec Canada | March 19th, 2012 at 7:04 pm