Planning the Boxwood Garden
There have been some exciting projects going on at the farm, including the installation of a new garden! You may recall the building on the farm called the Summer House, where much of my library of books is kept. Behind the Summer House, at the southwest corner of the property, is a large yard that is walled by a tall hedge of American boxwood. I’ve had a vision, for several years now, to turn that yard into a spectacular enclosed garden with stone pathways, benches, and a faux bois gazebo. Last March, I met again with Carmine Luppino, from Luppino Landscaping and Masonry, to discuss the details and finalize the plan. Carmine and his talented crew are responsible for all the stonework at the farm and he always seems to know just what I’d like done. Here are some photos from that visit. To see a fascinating video about where Carmine finds much of his stone, click here.
1 Here I am with Carmine Luppino last March discussing his amazing stonework. Carmine told me that he has another wonderful millstone, similar to this one, to fit into the boxwood garden project.
2 I was pointing out how happy I am that the terrace gardens were so nicely edged in stone, retaining the soil in the garden beds.
3 This is some of Carmine's fantastic masonry on my house foundation.
4 There are flat stone walkways throughout the property. This one is leading into the boxwood garden.
5 More stepping stones leading to the Summer House basement
6 And this walkway leads down from the stone terrace.
7 Another walkway through an early emerging shade garden
8 As we approached the Summer House, I was describing all the tree damage to Carmine, a result of the freak October snow storm.
9 Carmine's walls are solidly built and I have no qualms about walking on them.
10 This is one way to approach the boxwood garden on the backside of the Summer House.
11 More of Carmine's work
12 Walking through the boxwood garden.
13 I began reviewing my plan with Carmine.
14 I made a quick sketch.
15 We discussed what kind of stone and how wide the walkway should be.
16 We decided on where the millstone should be placed.
17 I described a faux bois gazebo structure that I had in storage, which would be used in this garden.
18 Whenever I meet with Carmine, he listens intently and never takes notes.
19 Here's my little sketch.
20 I, in turn, listened to what Carmine had to say.
21 This area has a natural slope and Carmine was making some suggestions about how to deal with the grade.
22 My vision and Carmine's years of expertise always turns out well.
23 The idea is to make this garden an extension of this large terrace off the Summer House.
24 We finally took some measurements.
25 And some more - This opening is the main entrance into the garden.
26 It all looks good on paper.
27 Planning projects always makes me happy!
28 When the all the stonework is complete and the gardens are planted, this area will be totally transformed! I can't wait!
Martha Pins
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I can't wait, either. How long will it be before we see the transformation?
Martha, you have such beautiful homes and gardens, and such great people to transform your ideas into reality. Mine are all just dreams for the future and the future is running out...not that I have all those magnificent houses, or gardens, to start with.
I'm not being negative when I make these statemenst, just finally facing reality. I just have one very old...for the south...simple house that I'd like to make livable and live in before I die.
But, since I can't fix mine, I'll enjoy yours, so...hurry up and send us lots of pictures of before, during, and after.
Have a great day, Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 13th, 2012 at 4:14 am
really looking forward to seeing this martha. keep us updated please.
Posted by: darrell white | June 13th, 2012 at 6:46 am
If you are ever traveling in Dakota and are south of Tioga, pass LAWRENCE LIBRARY and there will be little garden and certainly no boxwood but what a collection of Martha Stewart Magazines and books! I never take notes nor make lists either but just let LIVING come down the path and my dreams have all come true.
Posted by: ann | June 13th, 2012 at 7:29 am
Martha,I remember in an earlier post you talked about an upcoming project in the enclosed garden at the Summer House, sounds exciting! Thanks for showing us some of the stone walkways around your property, very nice. Carmine has such a talent, his work is beautiful. Can't wait to see how it comes out!
Posted by: Cindy F | June 13th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Martha, this is exciting! Planning projects make me happy too. It's fun to see the actual transformation with all the details coming together. The foundation stone work is just beautiful and gives a great starting point for any plan of greenery with color. The palette is set and with the addition of the garden, it will be a haven to enjoy. Looking forward to more photos in the future. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Syl | June 13th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Didn't know where to leave this comment, but wanted to let you know the Texas Sheet Cake in your new book is by far the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever made (and I'm 68 years old, so I've made alot of cakes). You should definitely share this one if you do another TV show in a food segment. Thanx so much!
Posted by: Jeri Hill | June 13th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Can't wait to see finished garden. Perhaps when it is complete you will publish a coffee table book of your wonderful farm.
Posted by: Karen Ross | June 13th, 2012 at 9:13 am
Hi Martha, Thank you so much for another inspiring, thoughtful blog about finishing this great project of that large yard walled by that tall hedge of American boxwood in the back of your beautiful Summer House! I recall your blog and TV show about this great project and how fun to see you will finally get it completed! Thanks for sharing the website of Carmine Lippino and that terrific video from the TV show! I love seeing you and Carmine planning this latest project and can't wait to see the project from the beginning to the final end-I know it will be beautiful and all of your friends will enjoy visiting it! These photos and your comments are absolutely awesome! You sure share the best things with us and you are a superior teacher who always shows us such great things about 'living'! I get so inspired every day by your blogs and all the other things you do for us! How nice to see Jodi Levine on the Today Show yesterday and she did a great presentation! Hope you have another great day! Off to see F&S visiting with your donkeys and trying to race with them! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 13th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Hi Martha,
I can’t wait to see the finished design, especially the gazebo. Your ideas always turn out beautifully. Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 13th, 2012 at 9:51 am
I can hardly wait either! I love stone work, too.
See the summer house soon!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | June 13th, 2012 at 9:55 am
The Stonework is really beautiful can't wait to see the finish also.
Posted by: Katescana | June 13th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Martha,
I'm sure your garden will turn out fine. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | June 13th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Martha, I can certainly relate to what you say about having a new project to do. I feel so exhilarated when I am planning something new in our home.
I will look forward to seeing more photos of this upcoming venture. By the way,
Martha, your shoes look so comfortable. Do you mind letting me know what brand they are? Thanx Susie
Posted by: susie | June 13th, 2012 at 11:14 am
I can't wait to see how this garden turns out. The setting is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Andrea | June 13th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Looking forward to seeing the design. I can imagine beautiful!
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 13th, 2012 at 11:48 am
Gloria G,
We are holding the same dream card.
You are not being negative. Just facing the reality that many us will only view our dreams through the blessings of people like Martha.
Martha, thanks for helping us to keep hope alive!
Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn | June 13th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Carolyn, thank you for those kind words. I don't like to be negative, or thought to be negative, even though I sometimes feel negative. But, wouldn't it just be wonderful if one of our dreams came true while we can still enjoy it?
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 13th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Can't wait to see the finished product, just wish I could see it in person!
Posted by: Phyllis Moody | June 13th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Martha, you are so incredible in so many ways (including a grandma
You make my days so much brighter.
Thank you !
Posted by: Rhonda O | June 13th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Martha/Busy,Busy Bee..I can not wait Until The End Result. I know it will Be Fab. Do you need Any Extra Hands:-).My Hubby Is A Master Unique Finished Carpenter,His Work(Talent) Is One Of Its Kind,Very Impressive To Ones Eye. Best To You Always..
Posted by: Darlene Martinez | June 13th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I absolutely adore boxwood...the more the better...and use it extensively in our landscape. I like that it gives me a sense of order...as i've gotten older as in my senior years...i don't enjoy seeing gardens that are chaotic.
It will be wonderful to see your Summer House garden develop. Fun!!
Posted by: Sherey | June 14th, 2012 at 1:47 am
The last photo needs to be put some place where it can be the FIRST photo when the new garden is unveiled!!
Posted by: Susan | June 14th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Martha , I love to see your garden projects , everything I see is a master piece & I am sure is more wonderful to experience in real time. So look forward to more master pieces.
Posted by: Laara Copley-Smith | June 15th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
This month and July, are the months to try and root boxwoods...if i can only remember to. I think about it every time I come back to this Blog and forget it by morning. I have a couple at my old, unlivable house and they are really, really old, and I'd like to root some more from them.
I also have access to some that is on a farm my grandparents used to own, and would like to get some more from there. I collected some once, but my oldest son was in the hospital and dying and I never got them planted. That boxwood was large enough that we used to climb up into the middle of it and play in the limbs. That was the biggest boxwood I've ever seen.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 17th, 2012 at 5:03 am
I am enjoying the planning and progress of the boxwood garden. Several years ago, you published instructions for creating a topiary and suggested using Korean boxwood. I was intrigued! So I bought a bush and started pruning. I had planned to reproduce the duck in the article, but the bush told me it wanted to be a peacock. And so, it is a peacock and doing wonderfully near the driveway where it is easily seen. Thank you for helping me make my home unique!
Rozelle H
Posted by: Rozelle Hirschfelt | July 2nd, 2012 at 2:59 pm