Every year, I look forward to growing one of the world’s most precious spices: saffron.
Saffron comes from Crocus sativus, or saffron crocus — a beautiful, fragrant purple flower with vivid crimson-red stigmas, or threads, that are carefully harvested by hand to produce the spice. My longtime friend, Hannah Milman, founding craft editor of Martha Stewart Living, has planted thousands of saffron corms here at my farm. They're planted under my Gravenstein apple espalier, in the beds beneath my Cotinus allée, near my blueberry patch, behind my gym building, and in one of the raised beds of my vegetable garden. Saffron is planted in summer and then in October and early November, the delicate flowers emerge and are picked. This year, some are ready to pick a little early.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Saffron harvest season at my farm has begun a couple weeks ahead of schedule. I’ve already filled two trays of flowers and their beautiful red-gold stigmas.
Hannah first started planting saffron at my farm in 2020 and has planted a generous amount of saffron corms every year since.
Saffron, Crocus sativus, is planted in late summer. It is a sun-a worshipping plant so it loves to be planted in dry open areas rather than in the shade. Saffron does best with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day and well-drained soil.
The compact corms are small, brown globules that can measure as large as two-inches in diameter, have a flat base, and are shrouded in a dense mat of parallel fibers referred to as the “corm tunic”.
Do you know the difference between a corm and a bulb? Both corms and bulbs are parts of the plant that store food to help it grow and bloom. A bulb is a plant stem and leaf that grows underground in layers. A tiny version of the flower is at the center of the bulb. Tulips, lilies, iris, daffodils and onions are examples of bulbs. A corm is an underground stem that serves as the base for the flower stem and is solid, not layered.
When planted, each saffron corm is carefully placed in a hole, with the pointed end faced up, or root end faced down. This is very important, so the plant grows properly. When purchasing bulbs and corms, always look for those that are plump and firm, and avoid those that are soft.
Here is the saffron corm just at the top of the hole before it is pushed in more deeply and backfilled – see how it is faced up. Under optimal conditions, saffron typically takes about five to eight weeks from planting to first bloom, with leaves emerging in four to six weeks and flowers following within another two to four weeks.
By early October, or in this year’s case a little sooner, the saffron sprouts are visible. They emerge with thin, straight, and blade-like green foliage leaves, which expand after the flowers have opened. Saffron is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two growing seasons and returns year after year from its underground corms without needing replanting.
The lilac-colored flower appears next. The blooms last about three weeks, so I asked my housekeepers to check them often and pick what’s ready.
It is the bright red-orange threads of saffron, the stigmas, or female portion, of the saffron crocus flowers that make up the spice.
Three stigmas are borne in the center of each cup-shaped bloom. The best time to harvest the stigmas is mid-morning on a sunny day when the flowers have fully opened and are still fresh. The stigmas on this flower are ready to harvest. And don’t confuse them with autumn crocus, which I also grow at my farm. Autumn crocus belongs to a different plant family, and is highly toxic. Look for the key features of saffron – three long, vivid red stigmas and three yellow stamens.
Elvira harvests the blooms and places them gently on a baking sheet tray. They smell wonderful – a sweet, honey-like fragrance. The leaves of the saffron will persist for eight to 12 weeks, then wither and vanish, leaving no trace of the corms below until the flowers appear again next fall.
I instructed Elvira to cut carefully, but the blooms can also be pinched off at the base using one’s thumbnail and index finger.
It doesn’t take Elvira long to harvest a good amount of saffron. But one must pay close attention to the crop. Saffron crocus blooms at dawn and must be harvested the same day, because the flower withers within hours.
Here is the harvest from just one day. The saffron harvest window is typically only about two to three weeks.
Elvira brings them all to my Winter House kitchen. These are the red stigmas that make up the spice. It takes hundreds of flowers to produce a commercially useful amount, and lots of labor, which explains why saffron has long been the world’s most costly spice by weight.
Elvira carefully pulls off the saffron stigmas, separating them from the flowers and setting all of them on a paper towel lined baking sheet to dry.
These were picked over the weekend. They will all be left to air dry for several days.
Once dried, they can be stored in a jar until used. Here is some of the dried saffron from last year’s harvest. I am so excited to be able to grow this precious spice right here at my farm.
Fine quality saffron is is deep crimson with a vivid, almost glowing red tone that darkens to maroon at the tips. Do you cook with saffron? Learn more about this wonderful spice on Hannah’s Instagram page @hannahcmilman.
Although cats are naturally meticulous about keeping themselves clean, I’ve always believed that regular brushing, combing, and bathing are important parts of keeping them healthy, comfortable, and looking their best. Four of my seven cats are long-haired and live in my Winter House: Magnolia, my silver-shaded Persian; Dahlia, my dilute-calico Persian; Lilium, my brown Persian longhair; and Chrysanthemum, my chocolate Persian. Every afternoon, each cat is groomed - faces and ears are gently cleaned, nails are checked and trimmed when necessary, and coats are carefully combed.
Enjoy these photos!
This is Lilium – very friendly and always ready for a good rub. The cats know when it is grooming time. Sometimes they go downstairs to their grooming station in the basement on their own. Sometimes it’s a little more challenging to find them.
This is Chrysanthemum, the latest Persian to join my clowder. Here she is in the enclosed porch where the “kitty buffet” is served for all the cats in my Winter House.
This is Dahlia, the youngest of my Winter house cats. On this afternoon, it was pouring outside, so the cats were watching the rain from my enclosed porch.
But first up for grooming is Magnolia. Magnolia’s face is gently cleaned with a cloth to help remove dirt and any stains.
Her ears are also carefully inspected for any abnormalities. Regularly checking a cat’s ears, eyes, and skin helps detect problems early, prevent infections, and catch underlying health issues before they worsen. My cats are very healthy and have no issues whatsoever.
I use ear wipes specifically made for veterinary use to carefully clean around the outside of the ear canal – never inside. Since this is done regularly, there is little dirt, but it is also good practice, so the cats are comfortable being handled.
Elvira combs with one hand and uses the other to hold the fur down where she is combing – this prevents pulling, which could be uncomfortable.
This time of year, as the seasons change, most cats, especially long‑haired, double‑coated, or outdoor cats, tend to shed a little more. This is a normal biological response to shorter daylight hours, and cooler temperatures.
Magnolia doesn’t seem to mind the daily grooming session and stays pretty still the entire time.
Next up is Dahlia. She is the youngest of my felines, but is also very well-behaved on the grooming table.
It’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. My cats are brushed every day to keep their coats as tangle-free as possible. Baths are done only when needed.
Always be sure to introduce a cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.
Magnolia watches from below – maybe she wants a second turn.
Adult cats primarily meow to humans, not to other cats. I wonder if Chrysanthemum is asking to be groomed next.
Chrysanthemum lies down for her grooming – almost falling asleep.
She does not even need extra support during her grooming time – she enjoys a good brushing.
Afterward, Chrysanthemum is quite content just napping on the grooming table.
The biggest of the four is Lilium. On this day, she needed a little more coaxing to get brushed.
Lilium prefers to watch the other cats get groomed first before her turn.
Soon after grooming, it’s upstairs for Magnolia to get a little drink and snack.
And for Chrysanthemum, a little rest and nap. Grooming cats often and regularly… it’s a good thing.
Every day I am home or before leaving for a busy day at work, I tour the entire property and make detailed lists of everything that needs attention. Maintaining my home as well as a farm of this size is a tremendous responsibility and requires constant care. My gardeners, housekeepers, stable team, and outdoor grounds crew follow an ever-changing list of projects - from pruning and trimming trees and shrubs to weeding and cleaning garden beds, storing seasonal equipment and supplies, bathing and grooming my pets, and so much more. It's the steady, often behind-the-scenes work that keeps my farm beautiful, productive, and running smoothly throughout the year.
Enjoy these photos.
My Cantitoe Corners Farm sits on more than 150 acres. It’s a large property filled with both mature and developing gardens, groves, and allées. It takes a lot of work to keep it all in proper working condition, but I keep on top of all the tasks that need to be done from day to day.
Down in my Japanese Maple Woodland, branches are gathered for pick up and chipping.
Pasang Sherpa is my resident tree pruner. He does a wonderful job overseeing the maintenance of all the trees here at my farm. As he picks up branches, he also trims those that are broken or in need of removal.
In my Equipment Barn, Phurba Sherpa organizes and ties stakes used every summer to support my herbaceous peonies. I designed these myself and had them made specifically for my garden.
Instead of rings that are available at many garden centers, each of these metal supports has two eyes, one at the top and one in the middle. The stakes are about three feet tall. These stakes will be stored until the peonies begin growing again next spring.
Occasionally, I redecorate my homes with items I already have. My housekeeper, Elvira Rojas, carefully moves a collection of pottery from one building to another.
This day was unseasonably warm. My stable manager, Helen Peparo, gives Bond a quick cooling bath after a ride around the farm.
Bond enjoys the cool water, and stays very still for Helen. Helen also uses this time to inspect his coat for any abnormalities.
My Fell Pony, Banchunch, also gets a cooling rinse, but look closely, I think he wants to help.
There’s lots to do inside too. In my Winter House, bed linens are folded right out of the washing machine and before they are ironed to keep wrinkles at a minimum. If you also prefer to iron your bed sheets, take them out before they are completely dry, which makes wrinkles easier to remove.
Sheets are ironed on a mangle, a mechanical device that was designed to apply even pressure to fabrics in order to smooth out wrinkles. Pati irons as soon as the sheets are ready.
Phurba uses our STIHL HSA 140 T Cordless Battery Hedge Trimmer to lightly groom the golden barberry outside my Winter House.
This hedge trimmer is powerful, yet light, making precise cuts with ease.
Here is the upper terrace parterre after the barberry is trimmed. Golden barberry can grow more than a foot every year. It is good to trim and shape hedges regularly, so they do not become too unruly.
Phurba also uses a battery powered handheld blower from STIHL to clear any barberry debris. This blower is less noisy and perfect for around my Winter House.
Matthew tends to a newly planted Metasequoia or dawn redwood – securing it to a bamboo stake so it is more sturdy as it becomes established. Don’t confuse the Metasequoia from the bald cypress. To tell the apart, Metasequoia leaves are bright‑green needles arranged in opposite pairs, while bald cypress leaves are feather‑like needles arranged alternately along the stem.
Matthew uses nylon tree straps to secure the young tree to the bamboo. I always teach every member of the crew to twist the twine into a figure eight before knotting, so the tree or vine or cane is not crushed or strangled.
Every day, Elvira cleans the faces of every cat in my Winter House. Not only does this keep them tidy, but it’s also a good way to make sure there are no present irritants or skin conditions affecting them. Dahlia is very good when groomed.
Daily brushing is especially important for long‑haired cats, whose fur is prone to knots and mats. Chrysanthemum loves to be brushed.
At the end of the day, Enma wipes down the ovens in my kitchen. Doing this regularly saves time and effort later.
In the late afternoon, rain showers fell over the farm, giving all the gardens a good drink. I hope you’re getting all your early autumn chores done this weekend.
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