Early March Around The Farm
Let's face it! These are the doldrums of winter and so many people I talk to cannot wait for spring to arrive. It certainly doesn't help that the weather has been so darn dreary in my part of the world. We've had a good deal of snow and quite a bit of rain. This is, of course, great for the water table and the upcoming gardening season, and just thinking about that makes me all the more anxious. I took a loop around the farm and did find encouragement. Please enjoy this early March tour.
1 This is what the farm looked like on March 1, 2013. Things still look cold and bleak.
2 With all of the rain we've been receiving, most of the heavy snowfall has melted. This is the courtyard outside my kitchen door and that is the giant cast-iron fire bowl, which is used for winter bonfires.
3 A view looking down towards the stable
4 The witch-hazel shrubs have been blooming most of the winter. Witch-hazel is a medicinal plant and extracts from its bark and leaves are used in lotions for treating bruises and insect bites and other soothing lotions for the skin.
5 Looking through the yellow witch-hazel, my eye is drawn to the orange color in the background.
6 The orange are the branches of the allee of linden trees, which are becoming more vibrant as spring approaches.
7 These neat rows are the herbaceous peony beds. A herbaceous plant is one that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level.
8 Looking closely, one can see that the peony plants are already beginning to emerge from the soil.
9 The long daffodil border extends a good distance along the Maple Avenue side of the farm. This bed, like all the gardens, was top-dressed with a thick layer of composted mulch to protect the tender shoots of the daffodils.
10 Like the peonies, the daffodils are beginning to emerge, getting ready to put on their fantastic spring show.
11 The ice on the in-ground birdbath is beginning to melt. The curious miniature Sicilian donkeys turn to see who's watching.
12 I wonder what this year's apple harvest will be like? Weather and flower pollination are critical factors for any crop.
13 The fuzzy buds of magnolias are swelling up with the beautiful flowers inside.
14 Looking back toward my house
15 Lichens grow upon the paddock fencing. A lichen is not a single organism, but the result of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga.
16 Similar to the mycorrhizal partnership between truffles and the roots of certain trees, the lichen fungus provides protection to its partner and gains nutrients in return. They're really quite amazing structures.
17 And speaking of donkeys - What is Clive doing lying on the ground?
18 Clive is white no longer.
19 Nothing like a good roll in the mud!
20 Are you proud of yourself, darling?
21 The buds of an American chestnut tree
22 Meindert staring lazily from his stall
23 The allee of linden - You can see the orange branches quite clearly.
24 This is the bottom part of the long daffodil border with daffodil shoots and a red blooming witch-hazel.
25 Witch-hazel flowers may look delicate with their twisty, ribbon-like petals, but they're actually quite durable, lasting a few weeks or more.
26 Orange witch-hazel
27 The petals on this yellow variety have a feathery appearance.
28 Looking across the paddocks towards the equipment barn
29 Budding dogwood
30 Another view towards my house and the stable - I'm sure that the Friesans are looking forward to when the paddocks grow lush and green again.
31 This is a cutting garden situated next to the chicken coops. My gardener, Ryan McCallister and I are planning to dig up all of the flower bulbs and plant the vegetable garden here. The present vegetable garden will become a flower garden instead.
32 One of the hayfields
33 A white-tailed deer on the neighbor's property. My farm is completely surrounded with deer fencing
34 This herd was made up of at least 12 deer.
35 The carriage road through the back woods
36 The often photographed moss-covered rock - You can tell from the rich, emerald color of the moss that it's been a very moist winter.
37 A stately white ash - The wood of white ash is really tough and it doesn't break under large amounts of strain - think baseball bats! The gray bark is characterized by having deep, narrow ridges that form a diamond shaped pattern.
38 This is the curling bark of a birch tree, most likely a yellow birch.
39 And this is most likely a pin cherry tree.
40 All through the woods are clusters of Christmas ferns, so named because the fronds stay green all year long. They were flattened by the snow, but new growth will be upright.
41 I assure you, spring is coming!
42 The still present beech leaves give a pleasant rustle in the breeze.
43 The yellow of the weeping willows looks spring-like.
44 The little pond is still quite frozen.
45 The enormous pile of broken trees - thank you Hurricane Sandy - continues to grow larger.
46 A handsome sycamore tree
47 All of the brooks that run through the farm are flowing and gurgling loudly.
48 This one has a meandering path.
49 Looking through the woods towards the equipment barn, the hoop house, and the vegetable greenhouse
50 Another look at that handsome sycamore
51 These are the spathes of the eastern skunk cabbage that grows alongside the brooks. When the leaves emerge, this low growing plant has a foul smelling odor.
52 The boxwood allee and the stable beyond
53 Another view towards my home
54 Looping around to what has been the vegetable garden. I'm moving it because this area has devastating mole crickets and I'm thinking that a pool and formal gardens would work better here.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Awwww...aren't the donkeys cute......
Posted by: Paula Bennighof | March 4th, 2013 at 12:23 am
Is there any chance one of these days you could provide an audio version of one of your farm entries? It might be fun to hear the birds chirping, the donkeys hee hawing and the gurgling brooks that seem to meander through your property.
Posted by: Kelly | March 4th, 2013 at 2:40 am
Thank you, Martha, for another wonderful blog! Looks like you have a nice supply of firewood for next winter
Have you ever considered opening your property to the public? As you know, in the UK this is very common. Even Prince Charles has opened his gardens at Highgrove House to the public (we hope to visit this Spring). I think many people, myself included, would enjoy see your farm in person.
Posted by: Christopher Densham Hatch | March 4th, 2013 at 4:15 am
Martha,
How neat deer! Why did Clive get all dirty? Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | March 4th, 2013 at 6:35 am
Martha: I enjoyed your look of your winter. We are from north Iowa and loved watching the change of seasons, now living in south central Florida. We love the beauty of flowers year round. We are enjoying watching the chickens as they wander thru the flowers . Must go to feed the finches as they prepare to travel north. Enjoy. Matha Angell
Posted by: Martha Angell | March 4th, 2013 at 8:51 am
Martha,
Up here in Canada just outside of Ottawa it will be awhile before we even see the ground. My garends are covered in more than 3' of snow.
I always enjoy your pictures of your farm. It allows me to dream about what is to come.
Thank you
Posted by: Lisa Nugent | March 4th, 2013 at 8:58 am
Hi Martha, First of all, I want to thank you and your wonderful sister Laura for always giving us these absolutely marvelous blogs every week!! Next, I want to wish Laura a very Happy Birthday today and sure hope she has an outstanding, wonderful day! The other two great birthdays on the 6th and the 8th of March this week will also be terrific!!! I'm sure all of you family members will have an especially awesome time this week!!! This latest blog is fantastic being able to view more of your beautiful prespring loveliness and can't wait for spring to come this month! We had sunny days this weekend and it was up above the 50s both days and some of our flowers are blooming! I love all of these marvelous photos of your latest loop around your farm and everything is looking much more beautiful! Can't wait to see your new vegetable garden near the chicken coops and the flower garden in the original vegetable garden area! All of the budding and blooming you found sure is beautiful! Your donkeys look so cute and so does Meindert at the stable! The allee of linden and the other trees look gorgeous already! Your daffodil boarder looks great and I just love all of your beautiful farm! Can't wait to see more and more of it all! Hope you and Laura have a great day! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Transplanting the Headhouse"! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 4th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Assurance of spiring coming is needed with another 10 inches of snow this morning and blizzard warnings for travel with high winds and poor visibility in Dakota today. Stephanie saw tulips emerging with red tips on south side of house
yesterday as March came in like a lamb but the Lion is not asleep right now. Bill Steigerwald has written TRAVELS WITHOUT CHARLIE, revealing writer's dishonesty. made me realize opportunity many have today with your blog and social media having communication that even John Steinbeck could never imagine.
Posted by: ann | March 4th, 2013 at 9:41 am
There is little as encouraging ad the resilience of a peony—to see the early signs of what will become such a lush, delicate flower is pure magic. Off to scout for mine!
Posted by: Amanda | March 4th, 2013 at 9:42 am
A morning of "Marching 4th" around the farm.
Thank you for bringing your camra and including us.
Posted by: Denny Mcmillan | March 4th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Beautiful, miss watching you on TV, do you miss it ?
Posted by: Kathy | March 4th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Love the farm, It gives me inspiration for my small patch of land - though I'll have to do things on a much smaller scale!
Posted by: Fionnuala Keen | March 4th, 2013 at 9:52 am
Your Peony's are already starting to come up!?!? Awesome!!! Those are my favorite spring flowers
Posted by: KellyC | March 4th, 2013 at 10:06 am
This is so beautiful. I bet its even more delightful to gaze at in the spring.
Posted by: Ras | March 4th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Martha
When the willow trees and moss look like that...it's spring to me!
Another snow to come to the Northeast this week...but even a deep snow here won't last long.
I love your tours, and I agree with the first poster's comment...Please make some video! We miss you so much!
Thank you
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | March 4th, 2013 at 10:35 am
Hi Martha,
You were just down here in Florida a little more than a week ago so you know how different my weather is right now. The only change is a ‘cold’ front that came through so our temps have gone down as low as high 40s at night. The days are still sunny though so we just don our jackets and carry on. I can’t even imagine being in the dreary north again but it is always wondrous to see your farm in the spring. It is such a drastic change from its dormant winter look – like a before and after picture. Thanks for picture #9 of the daffodil border that really puts its length in perspective and I love the straight up the tree shot you took of the white ash tree, #37. Picture #13 is pretty cool too which I think is called a focus shot. You’re getting so good with your camera! Also, I can’t wait to see your pool once it’s built. It’s always interesting to watch that in progress - we still have pictures of our pool being built.
~
One thing about cool weather is it puts me in a crafty mood. I’m finished with sewing leather patches on two of my son’s jackets, (what a job), so when I get some more extra time, I want to play with my Circle Edge Punch. I bought 3 more cartridges from EK Success Brands, http://bit.ly/13Ak5jD, and then yesterday I went to Michael’s and got some of your great craft paper, more craft paint plus stencils and stickers. I’m going to paint and stencil a wooden turntable I came across but can’t decide if I want to use it on my desk or in the kitchen. Part-time kitchen would work I guess since I don’t bake a cake that often! Without a doubt, you have the nicest craft items!
~
One more thing and then I’m gone for the day. I forgot to mention how cool I think picture #40 is of you in your February 28th blog. I think it would make a great avatar picture on Twitter, Pinterest and your blog too – ‘Martha the Traveler’. Enjoy your day! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 4th, 2013 at 10:35 am
Things might still look bleak and dreary Martha, but there are signs on your farm that Spring is right around the corner!
How hopeful to see the peonies and daffodils coming up and the orange branches on the linden trees look so pretty.
My favorite picture today is #37, the angle of the bark on the white ash tree is stunning!
Thanks for the update on your farm!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 4th, 2013 at 10:36 am
I forgot to add to my previous post...
http://www.acf.org/
The American Chestnut Tree...time to renew my membership!
Posted by: Barbara Mayer | March 4th, 2013 at 10:43 am
One day! Just one day at your farm before I die. That is all I want. Oh and world peace but I would go in any weather to check out your gardens.
Love your creativity and tenacity.
Lucy
Posted by: Lucia Jones | March 4th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Definitely hints of spring throughout the farm. Looking forward to some pics once springs finally arrives! Thanks and have a great week, Martha : )
Posted by: Liz Bilinski Di Bari | March 4th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Nothing says it better than beautiful pictures backed up by succinct comments. You have a beautiful estate Martha.
Posted by: Peter | March 4th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Dear Martha,
It's nice that you can have time alone...and share what inspires you with us...thank you. I remember when you said that the daffodils were suppose to have been planted outside of the fence, but they were planted inside of the fence instead; which you ended up liking better because you could see them from within the farm. And you will never have a shortage of peonies! (Move the chicken's coops over atop of those darn mole crickets...that'll show 'em who's eating who!)
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 4th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Dear Martha,
I also love your devoted commenters...Kathy says, "Miss seeing you on TV. Do you miss it?". Are you not on TV anymore? Or on hiatus?
Posted by: Tina Y. | March 4th, 2013 at 11:26 am
Good Morning Martha,
I enjoyed this tour of your farm in it's Winter colors. I really like the greys and browns in the opening photo. It looks serene. In my neck of the woods the trees are putting out their fresh, new leaves. My oak trees are dropping their Winter leaves and it won't be long before my garden becomes deeply shaded again. I love Winter in my garden because it is the brightest time. All the ash trees in the green-space behind me and the pecan tree to the east are bare and it makes my garden brighter than usual. Though, during the hot months of a Texas summer, I am glad for that shade.
Posted by: Cindy M | March 4th, 2013 at 11:29 am
So beautiful photos!!!
Posted by: sweetdreams | March 4th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Oh my goodness. I am glad spring is in the air somewhere. Here in Maine we still have major snow banks. Very few sign of spring yet. Love to see your documented picture changes. You have inspired me to do it at my Friend's Corner farm.
Posted by: linda faatz | March 4th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Dear Martha-
Again there are some beautiful photographs in this collection. The panoramic one is especially lovely. Your compositons are reminiscent of the Wyeths. I wish I had more music to match their beauty but composer Winston seems to be it for me. Sadly Winston's music was classified as "New Age" long ago but there is nothing about his talent that matches that genre! Bizarre. He truly is a unique sound.
Posted by: Teri | March 4th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I love the wide lens shot of the farm at #1. The story of the signs of hope around the farm now is a beautiful story. Clive and you make me laugh and Meinhardt and you make me calm! I guess the mole crickets will surviive the change. They are extinct in certain places. Speaking of survival, we did survive Sandy. Good to embrace the reminder. A second one for me over the last three days. At Friday night's celebration dinner party, I gave away the last of the five sets of my homemade pillows that survived the flooding in Ocean City NJ on the second floor of a former department store - unscathed. I was selling them there at a small boutique in the fall when Sandy came. My sweet 16 goddaughter not only loved her set but wants me to teach her how I made them! A gift outright!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | March 4th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Thank you for the beautiful tour at your farm Martha, everything looks so so fresh and pretty. Happy Monday and a wonderful week to you
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 4th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
Loved getting lost in those pictures for a few mins...makes me homesick...we have a family farm that has been in the family for a time...I have some ideas for Dad and I now.
Posted by: Bart Stottlemyre | March 4th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Just on the verge of spring.
Posted by: Holiday Baker Man | March 4th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
I especially like photo #1. And I would agree with Kelly who posted a suggestion on adding audio to your blogs.
We still have snow on the ground, although the sun is warm on days when it is bright. The maple syrup producers love that kind of weather here in Northern New York, so we don't wish to rush the season too much.
Keep up the wonderful work.
Posted by: Diane P | March 4th, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Things are very dreary, and I am definitely hoping spring gets here soon! It is so great to see your peonies and daffodils popping up. Here in Michigan, they are still in the ground which unfortunately is still covered with snow
Posted by: Laura Dembowski | March 5th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
hello,Martha,thanks again for the great pix of your fabulous place.it must be nice and quiet where you live.i also live in the country and enjoy the quietlove seeing your birds and animals and the gardens and all the trees too.enjyoy your wonderful place!
Posted by: maria | March 5th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Hi Martha,
Spring is certainly in the air at your Farm-Spring flowers are blooming,so
pretty at your Farm-everything always looks so neat and well groomed-Thanks for sharing your early March Photo's of your Farm-Always enjoy all the pictures of your Farm- Fran
Posted by: Fran Danville | March 6th, 2013 at 1:58 am
Will you return to television? I really enjoyed the Martha Stewart show. I taped everyone daily on my DVR. Thanks!!
Posted by: Petra | March 6th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Hello, Martha,
I enjoyed looking through the 54 photos of your March 4th blog, "Early March Around The Farm." Being the "resident woodcarver" here in Lancaster County, PA, at The Amish Farm and House, I was doubly impressed by the great views of your farm. Being a woodcarver that specializes in working with all kinds of twigs, branches, logs and stumps, I of course noticed a lot of the specific trees you showed. (I think I've carved somewhere between 80 and 100 different types of wood in thge last 47 years.) The animals you photographed were fun too. (By force of circumstances, as well as just liking farm critters, I've ended up also being the "Goat Man" at the farm, doing some heavy "midwife" duty delivering baby pygmy goats, the occasional lamb, and even a miniature donkey! I think Lily, the little donkey I delivered over two years ago, saw and smelled me before she saw and smelled her mother. She still thinks we're related, no matter how much I argue to the contrary!)
Back to your trees and wood...I wish I could follow your farm staff around while they're pruning your trees and chopping up your Hurricane Sandy damage.
It's absolutely amazing what can come out of before-they-get-ground-into-mulch-or-chopped-into-firewood parts of trees! Some of the photos that I especially noticed on your blog: #9 Maple (one of my very favorite branch-carving woods);
#12 Apple (besides the yearly shoots that spring straight up, some of the old, often-pruned branches fork out in all kinds of interesting formations); #23 Linden
(one of traditional carvers' favorite woods, and great for many of my smaller woodburned pieces); #29 Dogwood; #37 Ash (good for many more great projects besides baseball bats!); #38 Birch (I've never met a bad birch yet, and I've probably carved more pieces from birch, of one kind or another, than all of the other woods put together!); #39 Cherry; #42 Beech (a very hard wood, especially blue beech, but allows for some very small, detailed miniature carvings); #43 Weeping Willow (can be woven into all sizes of wreaths, and napkin rings too); #46 Sycamore (interesting bark patterns); #35 and #41 (all kinds of good trees!); and #45 (the huge pile of "Sandy" logs...wow! what potential!!) I'm sure you and all your staff and various editors have far more than you need going on to keep you busy, but, if you get a few minutes free, maybe you can take a quick look through my book TREE CRAFT: 35 Rustic Wood Projects That Brings The Outdoors In. The publishers did a great job in the step-by-step photography and then in the staging of the finished projects.
There's alot of information on the internet about it.
Thanks for the tour of your farm. Even in March it looks beautiful. I can
just imagine what it's like in spring, summer and fall!
All the best,
Chris Lubkemann
Posted by: Chris Lubkemann | March 6th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Martha, it is through reading your blog that I have come to love allees of trees. I never knew that term before reading about yours and now everytime I come across a beautiful allee of trees I think of you and how much you would enjoy them. Thank you for that! http://empty-nest-expat.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-first-hammam-in-istanbul-at-ciragan.html
Posted by: Karen | March 10th, 2013 at 9:58 am