My blog team is taking a brief summer break, so for the next week we'll be posting some of our favorite blogs from years past. This one was originally posted on July 24, 2024.
No plants give sweeter returns than fruit trees.
Fresh fruit is one of nature's most delicious products. My large orchard here at my farm has more than 200 fruit trees. I grow peaches, apples, pears, cherries, quinces, medlars, etc. Most of the fruits are not ready to pick, but many of the peaches are ripe and sweet. After harvesting several trays this week, I decided to make peach cobbler - one of those delicious summertime desserts one waits all year to enjoy. I used a cobbler recipe from Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen.
Here are some photos.
This is one of the season’s most anticipated harvests – my peaches. My peach trees are so productive – look at all these fruits, and there are still so many more on the trees.
When picking peaches, color is a great indicator of maturity. Peaches are ripe when the ground color of the fruit changes from green to completely yellow and the fruit is a bright red-orange.
If the peach is firm to the touch, it’s not ready. It’s ripe when there is some “give” as it is gently squeezed. Some could have used a little more time, but we wanted to get them before the squirrels.
Another indicator of ripeness is if the peach separates easily from the tree when pulled.
Peach tree leaves are oval-shaped and simple, with a length that is greater than the width. They are bold green in color, but turn yellow in the fall before falling.
After just minutes, we had all these peaches picked. I always use trays and place them in a single layer so they don’t get bruised.
Once the peaches are brought into my Winter House kitchen, they are pitted and sliced into wedges, and placed in a large stainless steel bowl.
Then they are sprinkled with one cup sugar and left in the fridge to macerate.
I added some blueberries picked from my bushes the same day.
While the oven was pre-heating to 375-degrees Fahrenheit, I buttered two baking dishes.
I prepared the filling – the fruits, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt and transferred the mixture into the dish.
I decided to use a buttermilk biscuit topping, so I prepared my ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, butter, and buttermilk.
I combined the dry ingredients and then added the buttermilk until a soft, sticky dough was formed.
I turned out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface.
Then I rolled it out until it was about an inch thick.
Using a floured 2 1/4-inch round biscuit cutter I cut out the biscuits.
To be efficient, when cutting out the biscuits, do it as close together as possible.
The biscuits are spaced evenly on top of the fruit.
I brushed the tops with some buttermilk and then sprinkled them with sanding sugar.
Here they are all ready to go into the oven. I made two, so the recipe was doubled. Cobblers, crisps, buckles, and crumbles are all fruit desserts that are similar but have different toppings and textures. Cobbler has a top crust made of biscuit or pie dough, and usually no bottom crust.
The cobblers are cooked until the biscuits are golden brown and the fruit is bubbling in the center of the dish – about an hour and 15-minutes.
Just perfect out of the oven. Once done, let it cool about a half hour before serving. This dish is for my hardworking crew. I know they’ll love it!
Order your copy of my landmark 100th book “Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen” today from Clarkson Potter. I am so proud of this book. I know you’ll read it cover to cover and want to make every recipe!
Will you be out in the yard watering plants this weekend? On my big farm, it takes a lot of close monitoring to stay on top of the watering tasks. I use many hoses, a variety of sprinklers, and now soakers that can also help irrigate at night, making the entire process more efficient and eco-friendly.
One of my favorite sources is Gilmour, a company that’s been manufacturing hoses and other watering solutions for more than 70-years. I've been using Gilmour products for a long time and have always been pleased with the durability and performance of their supplies. This week, Pete Sherpa and Fernando Ferrari from my outdoor grounds crew, carefully positioned soaker hoses under trees and various plants in the allées, in my pergola, and in the border beds around my pastures - any areas where this type of watering is most needed. It's quite an undertaking, but I know these Gilmour soaker hoses will help keep my valuable specimens well-irrigated through the season.
I also use Gilmour garden hoses. All of Gilmour’s hoses curve without kinking, connect without leaking, and are so easy to store.
Fernando removes all the packaging and prepares the hoses to be distributed and placed. A map of their locations is also made so they can be turned on and off quickly and easily.
Each of these hoses is 50-feet long, but they also come in a 25-foot length. They are made from 100-percent recycled vinyl, which is environmentally friendly and clog-resistant.
Both ends have industrial strength brass fittings. This is the hose connector at one end.
Inside is a special washer that controls the water flow.
The other end is fitted with a cap. These hoses are also designed with special coverings to protect them from UV rays and extend the lifespan.
Pete uncoils the hose first to determine how many he will need for a certain area. This is my long clematis pergola. Soaker hoses are placed behind the boxwood borders on both sides.
Fernando holds one end in place as Pete positions the hose under and around the plants.
Here, Pete lays the soaker hose behind the boxwood across the carriage road in my Stewartia Garden. I instructed Pete to put any hose where it is least visible.
These soakers are also designed to be buried under compost material for year-round irrigation without wasting water. Any hose that is seen will be lightly buried later.
The hoses are connected as they are put down. For the best water use, Pete and Fernando limited the total section lengths to three 50-foot hoses, or 150-feet. These hoses also connect to garden hoses if needed.
Here is Pete uncoiling a hose at my Linden Allée. Notice the slight incline of the garden bed. Pete places the soakers at the highest point so any water can drip downward to irrigate.
And here he is underneath my long Boxwood Allée. Be sure any water also travels down hill from the source wherever possible. If it is not possible, the pressure will still carry the water where needed, but may take a bit longer.
Here is Pete by the hydrangeas surrounding my horse paddock.
If there is extra hose at one end, just circle it around the last tree or shrub. The hose is designed to be flexible enough to snake around garden beds next to plants to target irrigation straight to the roots.
Use garden hoses splitters, available at garden centers, to connect multiple hoses to a single water source.
A splitter can also be used right at the hose bib.
Here is the amount of water that flows through the hose once it is turned on.
The water is released via tiny pores along the hose length, allowing for even distribution.
It is easy to see the water droplets coming through the hose. These hoses will irrigate the beds through the night and then be turned off come morning.
The hoses water down to the roots with steady streams that can be efficiently absorbed through the soil. In addition, Gilmour hoses are all made in the USA and backed by lifetime warranties. Thanks Gilmour. The following clips show how it’s done.
If you're in or near Purchase, New York next Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd, make some time for an estate sale at a beautiful and historic home – the entire contents of the residence is up for sale.
Whether or not you're searching for something specific, you'll have a great time. Some of the items for sale include designer furniture and luxury décor, fine art, unique collectibles, and one-of-a-kind statement pieces. You'll also find glassware, tableware, jewelry, clothing and accessories, and so much more. The event is hosted by my friends, antiques dealers Vincent Manzo and Jim Klinko. Try to visit - there's something there for everyone. Be sure to look out for the detailed listing on EstateSales.net.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
The home was originally built in 1918 for New York Governor Herbert H. Lehman. The historic Tudor-style estate was meant to be both a private residence and a country retreat.
Inside, the home is filled with light and beautiful details throughout including the stone archway in the distance.
The carved stone arch marked “The Man Cave,” is the doorway to a wood-paneled study and where the estate sale hunt begins…
For those who enjoy card games – Gozo perhaps – here’s a card table complete with four chairs.
This exquisite antique bombe commode is crowned with a polished black marble top, richly veined in white for a striking, timeless contrast.
Also for sale – a beautiful collection of rolled vintage and antique-style rugs, showcasing a variety of muted, time-worn palettes from soft blush and sage to cream, gold, and burgundy.
This is a decorative pedestal stand crafted from richly stained wood, showcasing detailed carved accents along its base and column. It supports an antique-style urn planter with a weathered, crackle finish.
Above this mantel, two decorative urns – also for sale.
This is an historic Baltimore Philharmonic grand piano once used to fill concert halls with music, now ready for its newest owner.
The mahogany body and legs are in pristine condition.
The piano was thoughtfully handmade by Wm. Knabe & Co.
There is also a curated mix of chairs at the sale – antique, vintage and modern. This is an ornate Rococo-style armchair with a heart-shaped back and gilded details.
Here’s a playful pop of style for those interested in a fun chartreuse egg chair with a modern geometric pillow.
Halloween will be here before you know it. These are life-sized mummy decorations surrounded by other seasonal décor and fun holiday pieces.
This 1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a rolling time capsule. Its original red-orange finish carries just the right patina. And it still runs smoothly after all these years.
This vintage crib is waiting for just the right buyer to restore it.
Outdoor furniture is also available – summer is not over just yet.
Here’s a beautifully crafted vintage brass fireplace fender featuring an openwork design with gently arched rails and decorative rosette accents.
And look at these – vintage cast stone garden chairs – richly sculpted and naturally weathered. I think these may look great at my farm, what do you think?
The owner’s Newfoundland naps when not guarding all the activity – but of course, the lovable canine is not for sale. If you’re free next weekend, do stop by Purchase, New York to look, shop, buy, and have fun.
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