It’s officially fall, but here at my farm the gardens still have a few beautiful surprises to offer.
Although most of the summer flowers have faded, some perennials are still putting on a lovely display of late-season and now early-fall color, including Russian sage, Japanese anemones, nasturtiums, phlox, and of course, the autumn crocus.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Some of the first signs of autumn are these blooming autumn crocus, the common name for Colchicum. Colchicum is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape.
The scientific name comes from Colchis, a region on the coast of the Black Sea. The name Colchicum alludes to the poisonous qualities of the species. The plant contains an alkaloid known as colchicine, which is found in all parts, but mostly in the seeds. Colchicum typically blooms from September to November.
Once open, many Colchicums produce large, goblet-like blooms in shades of pink, violet or white. They are large striking flower heads, with white at the base leading to pale pink at the apex.
When the weather is mild, colchicum’s nearly perfect cup-shape flowers begin to unfurl. Most Colchicum plants produce their flowers without any foliage. This is why these flowers were first known by the common name “naked boys.” In the Victorian era, they were also called “naked ladies.”
When in bloom, phlox are covered with groups of small, sweet-smelling, star-shaped flowers from clean white to pale pastel, including pink, red, lavender, and purple.
Phlox species have tubular flowers with five distinct petals.
This pure white colored phlox grows in my white garden outside my Winter House.
White Wood Aster, Aster divaricatus, bears clusters of small white flowers in late summer and now, in the first week of fall. These are herbaceous perennial wildflowers with an upright and mounding growth habit.
Tricyrtis hirta, the toad lily or hairy toad lily, is a Japanese species of hardy herbaceous perennial plant in the lily family Liliaceae. Toad lilies are hardy perennials native to ravines and woodland edges in India, China, Japan, and other parts of Asia. Toad lily flowers bloom in a range of spotted colors in the axels of the plant.
In my pergola garden is Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly called Russian sage. It shows tall, airy, spike-like clusters that create a lavender-blue cloud of color above the finely textured, aromatic foliage. It is vigorous, hardy, heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant.
This is a Nasturtium. Nasturtium plants, Tropaeolum, are loved for their rich, saturated, jewel-toned colors. Planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, they are fast and easy to grow. Nasturtium is a genus of about 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It was named by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum, and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae.
Here’s a look at the interesting leaves of Nasturtium. The leaves are circular, shield-shaped and grow on a trailing plant. They are fragrant, with a mustard-like scent. And, do you know… all parts of the nasturtium plant are edible? The flowers, leaves, stems, and young seed pods can be eaten. All of these parts have a distinct peppery flavor similar to radishes.
These flowers can vary in shade, but the most popular versions are yellow, orange pink, red, or mahogany. There are also varieties in subdued shades of butter yellow and cream.
There are still a few hydrangea flowers in the garden also – these are on one side of my tennis court. Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants, grown for their large flower heads, which are excellent in cut arrangements and for drying. Little Hottie® is a compact, heat-tolerant panicle hydrangea that grows three to five feet tall and wide, with white blooms that blush pink in fall.
Diamond Rouge® Panicle Hydrangeas have abundant, long lasting flower heads that start white and progress to pink, intense raspberry red, and finally wine red.
The anemones are also holding strong. Anemone is a genus of flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. Most anemone flowers have a simple, daisy-like shape and lobed foliage that sway in the lightest breezes.
And the two-and-a-half inch wide circular flowers come in white, pink, or mauve. Flowers can be single, double, or semi-double and add great late season color to the garden.
Another long-lasting flower is the clematis. Clematis can start blooming anywhere from late winter to early spring and then continue flowering through the summer and into early fall.
This white clematis is blooming on an upright post by my blueberry patch.
And, depending on the variety, roses bloom from late spring through early fall.
And here is my favorite rose, the Martha Stewart Hybrid Tea Rose, growing beautifully in the gardens in front of my greenhouse. I hope wherever you are, you can stop to appreciate the beautiful flowers that are showing off their gorgeous colors and forms this time of year.
Responsible horse ownership goes far beyond riding - it means providing the best possible care and attention throughout every stage of a horse’s life.
Here at my farm, my stable team takes great care of my horses and their daily needs. They also make sure we have a well-planned emergency preparedness program in place, so my horses are always safe and ready for any unexpected situation. Yesterday, the emergency first-aid kit was checked and my horses practiced trailer training. Each one learned to calmly approach, load into, and stand comfortably in a trailer - a process that requires patience, positive reinforcement, and most of all trust.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
One by one, each of my horses is taken out of his stall and guided to the trailer positioned behind my stable complex. This is my Fell Pony Ban Chunch. He’s a very stable and fearless steed.
This is the back of my trailer. This trailer accommodates two horses and all the necessary horse tack and other supplies needed for travel. It is well-padded and very comfortable.
Shavings are spread on the floor for good footing.
In the front cabin, there are ample hooks for all the bridles, girths, and harnesses.
There are also hooks for rakes, muck shovels, and brooms.
For this exercise, the doors are opened wide, so the horses can see well into the trailer.
Using carrots, grown in my garden and cut up into bite sized pieces, Ban Chunch is easily coaxed up the short ramp and into the trailer.
While one leads Ban Chunch in, Helen stands nearby to make sure the pony walks straight up the ramp.
Here is Ban Chunch from the front. He is kept inside for just a few moments and then backed out of the space the same way he entered.
Bond is next. All my horses are familiar with the trailer, but it is always good practice to let them enter and exit occasionally, so it continues to be a good experience for them.
Always give an animal time to adjust to different surroundings and unfamiliar activities. While Bond has been in a trailer many times, it is important to make every approach positive and calm.
Bond also does well – walking in and out without much hesitation. The process is based largely on trust. All the horses trust my team to keep them safe and happy.
Backing up is also done carefully. Horses are guided out, so they don’t walk off the ramp. Training horses to be accustomed to loading and unloading reduces stress and prevents accidents.
Here’s Hylke ready for his turn. All the horses did so well with their training. This exercise will be repeated every now and then to ensure they are ready for any necessary transport.
Next, Helen checks the first aid supplies. First aid kits tailored for horses are available at most horse supply companies and online.
A well-stocked horse first aid kit should include wound care, bandaging materials, medications, monitoring tools, and practical equipment to stabilize injuries. It is important to check any first aid kit periodically to ensure supplies are up to date and in good condition.
The kit should be sturdy, water resistant, and easy-to-transport. Helen also makes sure it is stored in an easy to access location.
Every day, my horses are turned out into their pastures. In the warmer weather, they are turned out in the evenings and in colder weather, they are brought out early in the morning.
Turning horses out every day is essential to good, responsible horse ownership. Horses need ample time to move freely in a pasture, paddock, or other outdoor enclosure to support physical health, digestive functions, mental well-being, and natural behaviors. My horses love to be outdoors in any kind of weather.
This is Stewart, one of two Frisians I rescued last year. It’s so nice to see them enjoying their new life here at Cantitoe Corners.
After a day of riding, grooming, and trailer training, they’re now happy to be grazing, rolling, and frolicking in this giant pasture.
Fall officially begins today, but here at the farm, we’re still busy completing many of our late-summer gardening chores.
Maintaining a working farm is a tremendous responsibility and requires an enormous amount of time, care, and hard work. To keep everything thriving and looking its best, my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew are always tending to a long list of projects — from weeding the garden beds and pruning the trees to carefully grooming the many boxwood shrubs. Phurba Sherpa, who has worked with me for many years, recently finished grooming my long Boxwood Allée.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
I am very fond of boxwood, Buxus, and have hundreds of these bold green shrubs. The ones in my long Boxwood Allée have grown quite a bit this summer. I take very special care of these specimens and make sure they are pruned and groomed regularly.
Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box or boxwood. The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The leaves on boxwood branches are arranged opposite from each other, making pairs.
Here, one can see the newest growth that needs trimming. Boxwoods are slow growing compared to many other shrubs, with growth rate depending on the variety. Typically, most varieties grow three to six inches per year.
I asked my resident Boxwood pruning expert, Phurba Sherpa, to give the Allée a good, quick trim – just to go over each shrub and quickly remove the new growth.
This task is done carefully with two main tools. These are Okatsune 30-inch long Hedge Shears. Okatsune shears are light and precise, and come in a range of sizes.
For thicker branches, Phurba uses the STIHL HSA 26 Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer. It’s one of my favorite tools to use around the farm – it’s so light and handy.
The STIHL HSA 26 Hedge Trimmer holds the charge well. The battery strength indicator on the side is easy to read, and can be checked frequently during the task at hand.
The precision-engineered blade creates very clean, controlled cuts that don’t damage the plants.
It’s a huge task to prune all the boxwood. Phurba takes his time and thoughtfully goes over each shrub – only taking off the new growth sticking out.
Here is a closeup of what Phurba is tasked with cutting – just these tips.
This tool has a rubberized handle for comfort and a secure grip and it comes with its own roll-up case to store all its accessories. This attachment with double-sided cutting blades cuts in both directions.
It is great for cutting branches that are a bit thicker in diameter.
Here, Phurba also uses it to shape the shrubs, which are round by design.
The STIHL HSA 26 is also great to use in noise sensitive areas.
Here, Phurba is cutting with his hand shears. Phurba keeps the shears close to him with his hands midway down the handles. This allows the best control.
And occasionally he stops to sharpen the blades – it’s important to keep tools in their best condition to get the best results. I always impress upon the crew to take good care of the equipment and tools.
And then he continues trimming, knowing well that the shears will cut quickly and efficiently.
Any pruned debris is gathered and brought to the compost pile later.
Here are some of the trimmed boxwood shrubs. This boxwood is so lush and green. It looks even more stunning when freshly manicured.
On the north side of the Boxwood Allée are horse pastures. On the left is my three-acre living maze. Driving down the Allée, one can get glimpses of both.
Here is one long side just after Phurba finished grooming the shrubs – so well done.
From the far end, this 450-foot Boxwood Allée looks so wonderful. It runs from my stable all the way to the carriage road that leads to my hayfields and woodlands. Thanks, Phurba.
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