I love trees and every year I plant thousands of them here at my farm.
Trees are extremely important to our environment - they are the world’s single largest source of breathable oxygen, they absorb carbon dioxide and potentially harmful gasses, and they create an ecosystem to provide needed habitat and food for birds and other animals. Earlier this week, I received a shipment of bare-root tree cuttings and small transplants from Musser Forests, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company specializing in conifer and hardwood seedlings and transplants. Once the young specimens arrived, my crew hurried to pot them up, so their root systems can strengthen and develop before they're planted in more permanent locations.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
I have tens of thousands of trees here at my farm. The bigger and older trees are original to the property, but I have thoughtfully chosen, planted, and maintained thousands more since I moved here.
This is one of the most popular views – the tree-shaded carriage road leading to my woodland.
In the fall, the layering of tree colors is so beautiful.
Here is one side of my allée of pin oaks. These trees were just feet tall when I planted them.
Before planting around the farm, I nurture bare-root cuttings in pots. I’ve bought many from Musser Forests Inc. over the years and have always been very pleased with their specimens. Bare-root trees are so named because the plants are dug from the ground while dormant and stored without any soil surrounding their roots.
The plants are either shipped in bare-root bundles, or in smaller pots like these – always in great condition. The American chestnut is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern North America.
Included in this shipment are 500 small potted boxwood – ‘Green Mountain’ and ‘Winter Beauty.’ Each specimen is removed from its pot and matched to a bigger one.
Bare-root plants should not have any mold or mildew. The cuttings should also feel heavy. If they feel light and dried out then the plant probably will not grow. Healthy bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start because their abundant roots have already had a chance to develop unrestricted.
Each bare-root cutting is placed into an appropriately sized pot. The root section should fit into the pot without being crowded at the bottom.
Nearby, the potting mix is prepared. I use Miracle-Gro Potting mix along with some of my own compost made here at the farm. The soil mix is also amended with a good fertilizer.
Adan uses a shovel to mix the soil mix thoroughly.
The team works in an efficient production line process. As one fills pots, another plants.
Each pot is prepared with a small layer of soil ready for the tree and backfill. Phurba plants each specimen carefully, so it is straight and centered in the container.
Here, Alex holds the cutting with one hand and backfills the remaining space with the other.
Finally, the soil is tamped down lightly so there is good contact between the tree roots and the surrounding soil.
Here, Phurba carefully teases the roots of this boxwood cutting before potting it up in a new container. This stimulates new growth.
As each tree is potted, it is placed in a section with all like specimens.
This is Blue Rug Juniper, a consistently good trailing juniper with uniform, full centered growth and bold silver-blue evergreen foliage.
These are newly potted dawn redwoods, Metasequoia. Dawn redwoods grow faster than most trees. They have feathery, fine-textured needles that turn shades of red and brown before falling – it is one of the few deciduous conifers.
Among the tallest firs in the world is the Abies grandis, or Grand Fir tree. It is a large evergreen conifer with a narrow conical growth habit. Its spreading and drooping branches are filled with sharp tipped silver-green needles.
The trees will only remain in these pots temporarily – eventually, they will be transplanted in various locations around the farm. We save pots whenever we can – they always come in handy for projects like this, and I always encourage the crew to reuse supplies whenever possible.
Once a section of trees is potted up, Cesar loads them onto the back of our trusted Polaris off-road vehicle. Other trees and plants I got from Musser include Rockspray Cottoneaster and Austrian Pines.
Down in a fenced in area previously used as a flower cutting garden, weed cloth is placed where the pots will be kept, so everything is neat and tidy.
These evergreens will thrive in these pots for a year or two. They will also be closely monitored and regularly watered and fed during the time they are in containers.
By the end of the day, 700 bare-root cuttings and small transplants are potted and carefully arranged. April 22nd is Earth Day – I hope you’ll consider planting a tree to celebrate. This year, the theme is “Our Power, Our Planet” which focuses on the collective responsibility we all share in creating a sustainable future.
Mulching in spring prepares my gardens for the growing season and gives them all a finished look.
Mulch helps to prevent weeds and soil erosion, improve moisture retention, and provide insulation. Fortunately I am able to make my own mulch and compost. During the course of the year, my outdoor grounds crew amasses large amounts of organic debris - felled trees, branches, leaves, etc., but none of the material goes to waste. It is either repurposed quickly as milled lumber, or made into mulch and compost. Right now, my outdoor grounds crew is spreading a two to three inch layer of mulch in all the beds around the farm, at the base of various trees, under the blueberry bushes, and throughout my long azalea border.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Once a year, I call in a tub grinder and crew to grind all the organic matter collected around the farm. It is done in a back field. All the material is put through the grinder not once, but twice.
What is created is this weed-free organic matter. And do you know the difference between mulch and compost? Mulch and compost are not the same. They are both used to help the soil, but they have different applications and benefits. Mulch is applied to the top layer of soil to help control weeds, retain moisture, and regulate temperature, whereas compost, which is broken down over time, provides essential nutrients and enriches the soil structure.
This mulch contains horse and chicken manure – all usable in the garden beds.
Each wheelbarrow is filled and then walked to a designated place in the garden. The crew works efficiently in a production line process. And do you see the steam? The steam is caused by the heat generated by the microorganisms breaking down the organic matter.
Here is Adan transporting a wheelbarrow of mulch to the newly expanded section of my pinetum. I just planted some new specimens here last week. It is still a work in progress, but it is looking wonderful so far.
Adan uses a hard rake to spread the mulch and break up any clumps.
Here is the area with its fresh layer of mulch.
The layer should only be about two to four inches thick. Anything less than two inches is too thin and won’t provide any weed prevention. However, more than four or five inches can keep water from getting to the soil.
Here, Pasang removes the thick layer of mulch that was used to cover the dahlias and repurposes it to mulch nearby beds.
One can see some of the dahlias peeking through the soil. This bed was so well protected during winter.
Here is Adan delivering another wheelbarrow full of mulch to the back of the pinetum.
He carries and drops them in between the plants. These smaller mounds make it easier to spread.
Mulch is also dropped in small amounts and then spread evenly under each tree.
But be careful not to use too much. Keep mulch two to three inches deep and away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and decay. Too thick a layer can also suffocate tree root systems.
Nearby my blueberry patch is already well dressed with a layer of mulch.
Here’s a look in between the bushes. Mulching can also create a microhabitat for beneficial insects, like earthworms, that improve the soil health.
Here, clumps of mulch are ready to be spread through the azalea border.
Chhiring rakes the mulch as evenly as possible. in addition, it is very important to spread mulch regularly and annually to maintain its effectiveness.
With organic mulch, heavy soils are better equipped to hold water and resist compaction – reducing erosion and runoff.
By adding good quality mulch, the soil maintains nutrients as it decomposes which helps plants grow stronger and healthier through the year. Don’t forget to mulch your spring gardens.
Whenever possible I always encourage friends and family to share their photos from events and gatherings we've attended.
Last month, I went to Harvard’s Hasty Pudding, a comedy musical extravaganza that was written, performed, and produced by Harvard University students. Though the cast and crew were young, their theatrical organization, Hasty Pudding, is the oldest in the country - its first performance was in 1844. Unafraid of ruffling feathers, the Pudding Show is known for its long tradition of daring social commentary. It can boast that members, including William Randolph Hearst, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Jack Lemmon, appeared on its stage before becoming famous.
I received an invitation to the performance thanks to my friend Darcy Miller - artist, author, celebration expert, entrepreneur, and founding editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. Darcy’s daughter Daisy did a fantastic job co-producing the show. It’s hard to believe I’ve known Daisy since she was born; I've loved watching her grow up. In fact, her mother was just two years older when she started to work for me. Seeing what Daisy and all the students created was inspiring.
Enjoy these photos from the evening.
Here I am with Daisy and the Hasty Pudding business staff. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
The orchestral introduction is played entirely by student musicians. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals troupe is made up of about 50 undergraduates. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
It’s hard to believe these young men and women attend college full-time while learning and performing six weeks of shows. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
Hasty Pudding Theatricals was originally formed in 1795 as a social club for Harvard College students. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
In total, there is a cast, a band, the tech crew, and the business staff to stage a 35-show run. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
The cancan is a staple of the finale for every Hasty Pudding performance. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
Since 1951, Hasty Pudding has honored a woman of the year – chosen based on their “lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment” (Harvard Gazette). Actress and “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo was this year’s “Woman of the Year” Honoree. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
Hasty Pudding has also honored Elizabeth Taylor, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and Anne Hathaway and comedy legends like Lucille Ball. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
Actor John Hamm from Mad Men was this year’s “Man of The Year” Honoree. The “Man of the Year” Award began in 1967 with Bob Hope, and also includes a “who’s who” of Hollywood’s leading men. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
Each Honoree gets roasted on the opening night of the show and receives a pudding pot. The name “Hasty Pudding” comes from the founding students, who enjoyed the traditional English pudding at their meetings. Over time, a giant cast-iron pot filled with pudding was dragged across campus for their gatherings, eventually becoming a symbol of Hasty Pudding Theatricals. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
Here’s my friend and producer Daisy, and her co-producer Willow, roasting Cynthia. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
For every “Woman of the Year,” it’s a tradition to have a parade through Harvard. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
The parade ends in front of the Hasty Pudding Clubhouse. (Photo by Hasty Pudding Theatricals)
Inside the Hasty Pudding Club House is a wall of posters and programs from past shows. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
The tour starts in Cambridge, Massachusetts, then to New York City, and a final performance is done in Bermuda. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
Here I am with Daisy and Kevin Sharkey. What a tour de force! These kids are the new generation full of hope and displaying a great work ethic, sense of humor, and talent! Bravo, Daisy and troupe! Thanks for inviting me. (Photo by Darcy Miller)
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