Hoar Frost on a Late April Morning
I keep blogging about all the unusual weather we have been experiencing. Just a couple of weeks ago, the temperatures soared to 90ºF for a few days, encouraging the perennial gardens to really emerge and fill out. It was so warm, in fact, that it was tempting to start planting annuals. However, as any seasoned gardener should know, no matter how warm the temperatures may be, one should always heed the frost date for safe planting. Here in the northeast, that day falls in mid-May and I’m glad that we paid attention because things got back to normal and late April brought frosty mornings, which is no friend to those tender annuals.
1 I heard on the weather report last Wednesday that there was a danger of frost and early on Thursday morning, I discovered that the report was accurate.
2 The wooden furniture on my patio was iced with hoar frost. Hoar frost is a scattering of white ice crystals deposited on the ground or exposed objects that form on cold clear nights.
3 Hoar frost upon the paddock fencing
4 Another view - The sun was just rising, creating great, long shadows. You can see the blooming azaleas in the back ground.
5 The paddock, too, was quite frosty.
6 The recently mowed grass was heavily frosted.
7 This is a row of newly planted linden trees. There is actually another row in the next paddock over, forming an allee. I think, as these trees mature, that an allee in this location will be visually appealing in the farm's landscape.
8 The standard wisterias are in full fragrant bloom and fortunately, the blossoms were not harmed by the frost.
9 Another view in this early morning glow with the long pergola
10 The sun is a bit higher here, exposing more of the lovely lavender shade of the wisteria.
11 The shade garden is magnificent this year! - Ostrich ferns, mayapple, and hostas
12 The herbaceous peony garden is also having a splendid spring. Here, the string supports are being laced through the eyes of metal stakes. The supports will keep the heavy flower heads from drooping to the ground.
13 We call this cat's cradle for peonies.
14 Another view - The boxwood is so green and healthy and the azaleas are magnificent.
15 A beautiful vista
16 Looking towards the Summer House and a glowing grove of azalea
17 More azalea
18 Looking back towards the east across the farm - Wilmer is very good at tying cat's cradle.
19 This is the stone pathway leading up to the stone terrace.
20 The tri-color hedge on the terrace is comprised of teucrium on the outer edge, boxwood in the middle, and golden barberry on the interior. Each is pruned to a different height giving a sculpted appearance.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Things that make your blog such a fun read is your appreciation of simply everything - long shadows in the morning - or the words 'hoar frost.'
Posted by: Karen | April 30th, 2012 at 4:42 am
and another thing that makes blog desireable reading is that you include us in your life. Great job having staff and family that continue teaching LIVING. I just now saw frost fall in Dakota this morning..
Posted by: ann | April 30th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Especially beautiful in these morning shots. Very inspiring. Thank you. Similiar north of you in Southern New Brunswick.
We have such good news, the stunning Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews,NB is getting a 20 Million Dollar renovation. They have just begun and will also put in an indoor pool. It is owned now by the Marriott people and I think it will be a Ritz Carlton. It is the oldest seaside town in Canada.
Posted by: RT Scott | April 30th, 2012 at 8:03 am
What strange weather indeed, temps in the 90's followed by chilly, frosty mornings! Your farm is looking beautiful right now Martha, especially the shade and herbaceous peony gardens. Thanks for starting our week with such lovely pictures.
Posted by: Cindy F | April 30th, 2012 at 8:11 am
I never grow tired seeing your farm. When is the book coming? It could be " Martha's Farm Through the Seasons" a companion book to "Martha's Entertaining" that graces my coffee table.
Posted by: K Ross | April 30th, 2012 at 8:35 am
I really enjoy your blog. The appreciation of the simple things and all things of nature even the little things we take for granted. Thats living. Thanks for reminding us. It is like a cup of coffee in the mornings. Thanks for sharing those wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Angela Noble | April 30th, 2012 at 9:10 am
Hi Martha,
I really love your terrace with the tri-color hedge and your shade garden!
~
I hope you’re having good weather in WVA at the first Women in Leadership conference at the Greenbrier resort. I am sure it is an honor to be the keynote speaker. Maybe you’ll blog about it later as well as the White House Correspondents’ dinner. You sure are a busy lady! Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 30th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Hi Martha, How great that you and your terrific farm crew heeded the frost date before planting the tender annuals! The hoar frost is an interesting way to get some moisture for all of the rest of your farm, but hopefully you won't get any more frost in the warmer month of May! Even with the frost, these photos are beautiful! The newest linden trees look lovely and the new allee will look beautiful! The wisteria, pergola, shade garden, azaleas, boxwood, tri-colored hedge on the terrace and peony garden look gorgeous and Wilmer was doing a great job out there! Beautiful, outstanding, and so much fun to see another view of your farm! Hope you have a wonderful day and get some rest after such a busy weekend! Off to see The Daily Wag and Francesca does look a bit better-Thank God! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 30th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Exquisite in every form...your farm is breathtakingingly beautiful and i never tire of it.
Posted by: Sherey | April 30th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | April 30th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I sure was surprised to look at some of your crafts at Micheals craft store and to see that your products are manufactured in China and not the U.S.A.I know your an American and wish you would help put the American worker back to work and have manufactureing jobs for your products here in the U.S.
Posted by: Theresa Danielson | April 30th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
The light in these photographs is so beautiful.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | April 30th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Your farm is so beautiful, and I look forward to reading posts that feature it. I live in the northeast, and usually I buy and plant my annuals around Mother's Day. Yesterday, I succumbed when I stopped into Home Depot. I didn't plant them yet, but the weather's so beautiful. It put me in the mood. Thank you for sharing life on your farm.
Posted by: Judy | April 30th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Superbe, j'étais la première fan française.........( I think so...)!
Good luke for your blog! What is happening tomorow???????
Posted by: Groeger Nicole | May 1st, 2012 at 2:42 am
Hi Martha! First, I have to agree with the other readers that your pictures are always exquisite and an endless source of fascination - you certainly have quite the eye! Thank you again for sharing your life with us. I thought you might be pleased to know that while I live in a PA-based townhouse with common grounds, I purchased a beautiful peony at Home Depot this weekend for our deck. Last year, we added 2 white hydrangeas in an effort to make it more of a perennial deck garden and fortunately, they are both coming back beautifully. And believe it or not, we are even experimenting with a gardenia that I purchased at our local farmers market. I've been keeping it outside and despite the chilly temperatures, it looks very vibrant, although no blooms yet. So we'll see. Thanks again Martha, we love you! Walter H.
Posted by: Walter Hagar | May 1st, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Love to have heard some comments from you about your trip to the Greenbrier in WV. You were very gracious in a radio interview I heard. Your introspection regarding coming to grips with your incarceration was enlightening-not allowing it to identify who you really are as a person. You go girl!
Posted by: Sally | May 1st, 2012 at 9:16 pm