My Farm After a Big January Storm
Daytime temperatures are only expected to rise into the 20s for the rest of this week with more snow expected this weekend.
This last winter storm Fern dropped more than 21 inches at my farm with drifts topping two-feet in some areas. Thankfully we were well-prepared. All the tropical plants are tucked away in temperature-controlled greenhouses, and most of my precious boxwood shrubs and hedges are draped in burlap. The days following have been bitterly cold, with winds at a minimum allowing everyone a chance clean up --- before the next storm system arrives.
Here are more photos, enjoy.
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- This photo was taken two days after Winter Storm Fern dropped debilitating amounts of snow over much of the eastern United States. Thankfully my farm did not suffer any damage. Here is a stand of eastern white pines, Pinus strobus. White pines are the tallest trees in eastern North America.
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- Also standing strong are these dawn redwoods, Metasequoia, with their straight trunks. They are impressive trees by any standard, and beautiful in any season.
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- This is a view from the bottom end of my vegetable garden – completely covered in untouched snow.
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- This view between the paddocks shows an allée of lindens with my carport in the distance. This linden tree-lined allée runs from my Winter House down to the chicken coops.
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- Here is my orchard that surrounds the pool. More than 200-fruit trees are planted in this space.
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- After it snows, my crew sweeps the snow off the burlap that covers most of the boxwood here at the farm. This time of year, I am very relieved the hedges and shrubs are protected. Heavy snow could splay the branches. This snow was light and fluffy and caused by colder temperatures leading to less moisture in the air.
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- This shows the base of one of my mighty pin oaks, Quercus palustris, that grow alongside my Equipment Barn. My pool house is in the distance.
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- Notice the holes in the burlap. It’s a “Good Thing” I developed to help our avian friends during winter – they love to take cover inside, especially during storms.
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- Along many of the stone walls hang icicles. This week is expected to be brutally cold with nighttime temperatures in the single digits.
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- This is a row of six weeping hornbeams, Carpinus betulus Pendula. They line one side of the soccer field I set up for my grandson, Truman. These are such graceful and shapely specimen trees, very rare and densely branched.
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- Here is the little Basket House nestled in the grove of bald cypress, Taxodium distichum.
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- This corn crib has been here since I purchased the farm. Located near my Winter House and long pergola, it’s become a favorite photo for guests. I love how snow collects on this 100-year old white spruce fencing I purchased in Canada. This fencing is what surrounds all my paddocks at the farm.
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- These small shrubs which I nurtured from bare root cuttings are planted along the carriage road across from my pergola. At about 16 inches tall, these were completely covered in snow and had to be swept clean one by one.
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- Walking paths for man and beast are dug out through the cobblestone courtyard in front of my stable.
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- It’s true – birds of a feather flock together. Here is my gaggle of geese walking single file into their shelter. Less than five minutes later, they also walked out – together.
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- A walk up the carriage road one sees young azaleas peeking through the snow – a totally different look than in spring when these shrubs are full with foliage and blooms. Azaleas go dormant during winter, allowing them to tolerate the colder temperatures more easily.
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- Whenever it snows, I am always grateful for the stakes we put up delineating the carriage roads. We paint the tips of those stakes that mark the catch basins, so if needed, the side openings can be cleared.
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- Phurba uses a roof snow rake to remove snow off the tall American boxwood surrounding my sunken Summer House garden. While I do not cover these in burlap, I do wrap them in netting to prevent any snow from splaying the branches.
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- By late afternoon, it was snowing again. All the bird feeders are full. A series of these feeders hangs from the carport roof for all the 125-varieties of birds that visit my farm.
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- My donkey, Truman “TJ” Junior, doesn’t seem to mind the winter weather at all, though I do think he may be hungry for a snack.
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- My outdoor grounds crew is doing a great job digging out the farm from under all the snow. Let’s see what the next storm system brings. If you’re affected, be careful and stay warm.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
