Be sure to tune in to The Roku Channel today to see my latest episode when I demonstrate the best ways to collect, store, and sow seeds. You can stream "Martha Gardens" for free on The Roku Channel.
We start sowing seeds indoors soon after the New Year. We sow thousands of seeds - all those wonderful seeds I enjoy purchasing during my travels, and seeds we order from our favorite sources. Many of this year's seeds, seed trays, and other supplies are from Johnny’s Selected Seeds in central Maine - a company I’ve been using for quite some time. Starting from seed isn’t difficult. They can be planted closely together in seed starting trays, and then pulled apart easily when they're ready to move into larger pots or outdoors.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Here at my farm, we keep all our seed packets in plastic envelopes, and plastic bins – all are labeled and filed for easy reference. Mason jars with tight-fitting lids, or glass canisters with gasket-type lids also work. Humidity and warmth shorten a seed’s shelf life, so we store the organized seed packets in a greenhouse refrigerator.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds is a privately held, employee-owned organic seed producer. Johnny’s offers hundreds of varieties of organic vegetable, herb, flower, fruit and farm seeds that are known to be strong, dependable growers.
When buying or ordering seeds, be sure to read the hardiness of a plant. And know your hardiness zone, so you can select the right seeds for your area. Here in Bedford, we are zone-6b. It is easy to look it up online. Here, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, writes the seed variety on markers, so he’s ready to place it in the trays after planting the seeds. It’s also helpful to put the date of planting on the back. Ryan determines what order they will be started in trays depending on how long it takes each plant to germinate.
Ryan chooses all the necessary seed starting trays. These can be saved from year to year, so don’t throw them away after the season. Seed starting trays are available in all sizes and formations.
Select the right kind of tray based on the size of the seeds. The containers should be at least two-inches deep and have adequate drainage holes.
It’s best to use a pre-made seed starting mix that contains the proper amounts of vermiculite, perlite and peat moss. Seed starting mixes are available at garden supply stores.
When possible, prepare several trays in an assembly-line fashion, and then drop all the seeds. Doing this saves time and simplifies the process.
Ryan spreads the soil mix across the seed trays completely and evenly, filling all the cells of each tray.
Each of these trays has 128 cells – perfect for planting small individual seeds.
Here is a packet of seeds with its corresponding marker.
This hybrid Kelvin celery is a farmer’s favorite. It performs well under heat and moisture and grows thick and juicy with dark green stalks. I love celery and use it every day in my green juice.
Ryan drops one to three seeds into each cell. It’s always a good idea to keep a record of when seeds are sown, when they germinate, and when they are transplanted. These observations will help organize a schedule for the following year.
These seeds are pelleted. Each seed is coated with a layer of clay to increase its size for easier handling.
Next, Ryan covers the tray with a layer of vermiculite. Vermiculite is a mica-like mineral often used as a soil amendment. It is mined out of the ground, exfoliated, treated with high heat and pressure to force it to expand. The porous surface is great for retaining moisture and nutrients.
Here is a tray marked for herbs. Using his fingers, Ryan makes a hole in each cell, and then drops seeds into each one.
Seeds are small, so be very careful when pouring them out of the packet. These are sage seeds, Salvia officinalis, an aromatic herb of the mint family.
Again, Ryan begins to drop the seeds evenly into each compartment.
Look closely and one can see the seeds in the cell. These seeds will be selectively thinned in a few weeks. The process eliminates the weaker sprout and prevents overcrowding, so seedlings don’t have any competition for soil nutrients or room to mature.
Next, Ryan covers the seeds by leveling the soil and filling the holes back in with the medium.
This tray is also covered with a layer of vermiculate. Fortunately, my greenhouse is large and can accommodate lots of seed starting.
Ryan places the trays in our Urban Cultivator growing system – it has water, temperature and humidity all set-up in this refrigerator like unit. And then it’s back to seeding more trays – there are a lots and lots of seeds to plant. Seeds are usually started about two months before the last frost – we will be planting seeds well into March. Learn more about seed starting on “Martha Gardens” streaming free on The Roku Channel.
It's time for the Friesians and Fell pony to get their teeth checked! A good stable management program must include regular dental visits for the horses.
Once a year, my horses are paid a visit by their lay equine dentist, Brian Stuart. Unlike human teeth, equine teeth are constantly growing, which means their bites are always changing. Because of this, it is very important for a horse’s mouth to be examined for any sharp edges or misaligned molars. The process of correcting these conditions is called floating - filing or rasping an equine’s teeth so that chewing surfaces are smooth and properly contoured for eating. These days, power floating has become a popular method, but I prefer the all-natural, more traditional hand filing process. Yesterday, Brian came to my stable to check on all my horses.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Whenever we see this bucket of tools, we know it’s that time of year again when the lay equine dentist comes to my stable to check on all the horses’ teeth. Yesterday, all my Friesians and Banchunch the Fell pony got their annual dental exams. These are Brian’s tools of the trade. They are called floats. When not being used on a horse, Brian soaks them in a Chlorhexidine solution, an antimicrobial disinfectant. Floats are about 21-inches long. The long handles allow Brian to get to the back molars.
Each float is fitted with a sharp tungsten carbide blade made of chips that are bonded to the base. This is what files each tooth during the floating process. Brian has 10-floats in his bucket. The floats also come in varying angles for use on different teeth. By using these floats, Brian can file sharp enamel points to correct any dental imbalances.
This is an “s” file, a two-sided file used for finishing areas and for polishing the front of the molars section where the horse’s bit sits.
The key to working with horses is to gain their trust, which in turn helps them calm down. Brian spends a few minutes just talking to each horse before he begins working.
Brian has been practicing for more than 30-years. He always works in the horse stalls where they are most relaxed. He starts by checking the front teeth.
Much of Brian’s work is done through feel. He feels for any abnormalities in the mouth. Horses have 42 teeth in all. Of those, 24 are molars and premolars that are constantly growing and being worn away.
Brian uses a float to file any uneven or high edges of the front molars. The process of teeth floating and occlusion adjustment are not painful, but the sound of the rasp may need some getting used to, especially for a horse that is new to dental care. Rinze is very accustomed to Brian and his tools.
Regular dental exams and floating are an important part of a horse’s preventative health care plan, so Brian comes to my stable once or twice a year. Over the years, power floating has become more popular than traditional hand filing, but this manual method is more natural and does not require anesthesia. All that is needed is a knowledgeable practitioner and a trusting relationship between horse and dentist.
After each horse is done, Brian goes over all his findings with my stable manager, Helen Peparo.
And then she logs everything down, so we have records of the horses’ dental health from year to year.
Rufus and Truman “TJ” Junior look on with curiosity – it’s not the donkeys’ dental day yet.
Hylke knows it’s his turn next.
This is a McPherson full mouth speculum. It keeps the horse’s mouth open during the floating process.
Brian places the speculum on Hylke – he doesn’t seem to mind it at all.
After feeling his teeth with his hand, Brian reaches in with a float to assess the back molars and floats those that need it.
Hylke remains still for the entire process. Brian continues to speak softly to keep Hylke relaxed. Fortunately, Hylke has had regular floating at his last stable, so his teeth are in good condition.
Brian is almost done. The speculum is removed and Brian does some finishing touches with the “s” file. Hylke seems to know he gets a c-o-o-k-i-e next.
What a good boy, Hylke. Brian always talks to them after their session so they end positively. All the horses are in good condition – thankfully just some routine work this year.
By the afternoon, all the horses are back in their paddocks enjoying the day’s mild winter weather…
… And of course, eating hay.
It’s comforting to know all the horses, my pony, and the donkeys are doing well here at the farm.
The theme for this year's annual event was “Home is the Tapestry of Your Life." The three-day affair featured more than 150-dealers of fine antiques and art, as well as horticultural exhibitors, and some of the most renowned design, landscape, and architectural speakers in the world. At least 16-thousand visitors walked through the many booths and displays. At this show, there was also a special auction of two chicken coops - one designed by me, and the other by my friend, Christopher Spitzmiller. The coops were built by Cook Builders, LLC in a space designed by Duke Design Group in collaboration with James Dunn of Vintage Millworks. It was a fun project and a great cause - all proceeds from the show benefit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens and the Economic Club of Nashville (ECON). Although I was not able to attend the event, my special projects producer, Judy Morris, went down to see how it all went.
Here are some photos, enjoy. And be sure to see more of my chicken coop on an upcoming episode of "Martha Gardens" on Roku.
The Show is a great mix of antique, vintage, and new items for the home and garden. Many vendors came from other states, but there were also a large number right from Nashville like this booth by Creekside Garden Center – filled with indoor and outdoor plants and gardening inspirations.
This booth was for Moss Studios by Breck Armstrong. It featured many items hand-crafted and carefully made by Breck Armstrong, who was trained by my friend, and master potter, Guy Wolf.
This booth display showed many small leather boxes.
There were lots of cut flower vases and botanical themed wall decorations.
And of course, lots of flower frogs. Do you know what a flower frog is? A flower frog is a A flower frog is a device used to help arrange flowers. Some, such as the Japanese kenzan, are utilitarian metal devices that fit into a vase or bowl and fix the stems by metal needles. Other designs use a number of holes or guides that stems could be fit through for arranging.
In this booth, there was also jewelry – some new, some vintage, and some antique.
It’s always fun to decorate with multiples of one item, such as these botanical prints.
As you know, I love chickens. Judy spotted this charming antique stone rooster garden ornament and took a quick snapshot. It was displayed by Two Maisons – an antiques shop in Colorado that specializes in European Antiques.
And I also love copper. I have a large collection – many pieces decorate the studio kitchen of my guest house at the farm.
VE Designs was also at the show with some of their Swedish Mora Clocks. The classic Mora Clock is a type of floor clock with a unique shape and soft, muted colors. It was a tradition in some Swedish families to gather around the home’s Mora Clock on Sunday mornings while it was wound and readied for the week ahead.
On this wall, a grouping of framed bathing suits from Julie Harris Antiques. Julie has been an antiques and collectibles dealer for more than 30-years specializing in vintage sports and college memorabilia.
Madison James showcased this handmade avian wall hanging.
Atlanta Planters is from Georgia. They had these whimsical antique mushrooms for the garden.
And do you know what these are? These are called staddle stones. Staddle stones were originally used in the 17th and 18th centuries as support bases for granaries, hayricks, and game larders. They typically looked like giant stone mushrooms. These are originally from England and shown here by Finnegan Gallery of Chicago, Illinois. I have a group of square staddles at one end of my pool.
Can you see it? It’s a colorful peacock sitting atop this arbor and bench. The tail was made out of Schumacher fabric. Schumacher, the show’s design sponsor, has been making fine fabrics, wall coverings, pillows and trims since 1889.
And here is a glimpse of the chicken coops Christopher and I designed. Mine is on the left and Christopher’s is on the right. For my coop, I chose board and batten siding with a wood shingle roof, glass windows with screens that open, and sliding doors. Scaled to fit perennial flower beds, holly-filled planter boxes, and a stone wall surround the coops.
Here’s Christopher with one of the show’s co-chairs, Kathryn Saunders.
This is James Dunn of Vintage Millworks, who sourced all the reclaimed wood, windows, and hardware to complete the designed coops.
And here is a photo of Christopher joined by Gavin Duke of Duke Design Group, James, and West Cook of Cook Builders, LLC – all flanked by two “chickens.” Wait until my show to find out how much the coops went for at auction. It was a successful and fun show for those who attended – I hope to go next year!
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