Hard not to love a picturesque snow-covered landscape, especially at my farm.
I hope you saw the photos on my Instagram page @marthastewart48. Over the weekend, we got at least five inches of snow - light, powdery snow that stuck to the tree branches and shrubs, stone posts, walls, and steps, and the tops of all the burlap-encased boxwood and ornamental urns. I always take lots of photos when it snows - that is, when I am not too busy plowing the four miles of carriage road.
Enjoy these photos. And more snow is coming. We're expecting another storm this weekend.
This is a row of six rare 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 densely branched and adaptable to various soil conditions. In the distance is my old corn crib.
The weeping nornbeams are near these mighty pin oaks, Quercus palustris, that grow alongside my Equipment Barn. I took these photos early in the morning when all the tree branches were filled with snow.
Here is a view of my stable – a different look compared to spring and summer when the horse chestnut trees are lush with foliage and the allée of boxwood is bare of any protective burlap.
The snow accumulated on many of the tree branches, but did not weigh any down too much. The light fluffy snow forms when all layers of the atmosphere are below freezing. Because the air is cold, all the way down to the surface, snowflakes don’t melt. It was about 25-degrees Fahrenheit in the early morning and stayed cold the rest of the day.
This is the back hayfield where I grow lots of hay for my horses. It is so quiet, one can just hear the snow falling in clumps from the trees.
Along this carriage road on both sides are my young azaleas – very different looking from mid-May when they erupt with beautiful bright colored flowers.
Here is one of two weeping cherry trees down behind my stable. A weeping cherry tree is at its best when the pendulous branches are covered with pink or white flowers in early spring. But the beauty doesn’t last long – only a couple weeks.
One of the most popular views at the farm – this one looking down the long carriage road to the woodlands. Majestic trees stand tall, with smaller saplings growing below.
This is the carriage road leading to my tennis court. Flanking both sides of the narrow road are Styrax japonicus ‘Marley’s Pink Parasol’ Japanese Snowbells and Styrax japonicus ‘Evening Light.’
The next morning, I went out again to tour the property after another couple of inches of fresh snow fell overnight. Here, the snow on the flower garden fence looks like a privacy wall.
Here is an image taken of the driveway in front of my Hay Barn before the crew arrives.
Hard to miss the stand of eastern white pine trees, Pinus strobus. They can be seen from many vantage points at the farm.
This linden tree-lined path between the paddocks runs from my Winter House and carport down to the chicken coops.
This is my original Allée of Lindens. The linden tree, Tilia, is also referred to as basswood or lime, though it is not related at all to the lime fruit. They are straight stemmed trees with smooth bark. I like to pollard these trees regularly. Pollarding is a type of pruning, a very severe method that involves cutting the branches back either to the trunk, or even all the way down to the top of the trunk to promote the growth of club-headed stems and dense new foliage and branches.
This is my snow-covered stone yard, a place where extra inventory of the many types of stones used at the farm are kept – slate shingles, marble flooring, granite posts, etc. The 100-year old white spruce fencing has stood the test of time. I love how the snow collects on the fence rails. I have photographed sections of this beautiful fence many times through the seasons.
At the other end of my farm is what I call the “run in” pasture – a giant paddock where all my horses can spend the day together. The “run-in” shed is in the distance.
Here’s a look through the woodland. The streams are full – they look so dark against the snow.
This time of year, I am very relieved the boxwood hedges and shrubs are well protected under burlap covers. Heavy snow could splay the branches.
When it is very cold, icicles form along the roof line of my “Flower Room” – an outbuilding across from my Winter House which includes a kitchen and pantry.
My longtime driver Carlos Villamil shares my love for photography. He took this photo of the little Basket House nestled in the grove of bald cypress, Taxodium distichum. We’re expecting more snow to fall this coming weekend. I’m sure to be out there plowing the carriage roads once again – stay tuned for more photos.
When does the spring cleaning bug hit you? For me, spring cleaning starts as soon as the New Year arrives.
Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to refresh and re-organize. I have already cleaned out and re-organized my giant Equipment Barn and several basement storage areas. I've also cleaned all my every day stainless steel pots, pans, and steamer baskets - did you see my Instagram post @MarthaStewart48? And last week, my housecleaner Carlos took on the task of polishing my home's thresholds, the horizontal metal strips at the bottom of my entrance doorways.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Dahlia is always so curious. Whenever there is activity at my home, she’s right there watching – or is she conducting an inspection?
For cleaning various metals, I have long used Wright’s Copper, Brass, and Silver Cleaning Creams. These come in small and large sizes.
For this job, Carlos gathers the Wright’s Copper Cream, which comes with an application sponge, an old toothbrush, some cleaning rags, and a tub of water with another sponge for removing the cleaner. I always tell my team to collect all the needed supplies first, so it saves time hunting them down later.
All the thresholds needed a good polishing. Brass and copper thresholds tarnish over time primarily from exposure to environmental factors such as air, humidity, moisture, and use. My thresholds are cleaned at least once a year.
Carlos starts by moistening the area to be cleaned. He uses a wet sponge to loosen the dirt along the threshold. He does this with protective rubber gloves for this cleaning chore.
Then he applies some of the Wright’s cleaning cream and gently wipes the dirt from in between the grooves of this threshold.
Carlos also uses an old soft-bristled toothbrush to get deep into the grooves.
This is a very repetitive process and one that takes patience.
After a few minutes, some areas are looking cleaner. Tarnish ranges in color from a light yellowy gold to almost black, depending on how long it has been allowed to develop.
After about 15 minutes, the threshold is looking much better.
Carlos uses the brush to gently clean the edges, where the door frame meets the metal.
Finally, he wipes it down with a wet sponge to remove the cream and dries the entire area with a soft rag.
Here is another part of the threshold before cleaning.
Carlos uses a generous amount of cream and goes back and forth through the grooves. Whenever polishing metals, be sure you use a product that is specifically made for the type of metal being cleaned.
Once again he uses the soft-bristled toothbrush. Always avoid using highly abrasive scrubbing cloths, metal-bristled brushes, or steel wool; these will scratch the surface of the brass or copper.
It’s a good idea to change the water and replenish the rags with every threshold.
Here, Carlos works on the door to my courtyard.
The sponge starts to darken as the dirt and tarnish are removed.
Carlos also polished the doorknobs. Look how they shine.
Everything glistens once cleaned and polished. The thresholds look so much better. It’s still January, but let the spring cleaning begin!
It's so important to keep up with the maintenance and care of the many trees and plants here at my farm.
Four years ago, I started creating a garden maze of interesting hedges, espaliers, and shrubs in the pasture across the carriage road from my Winter House terrace. I've planted hundreds of different specimens that add texture and interest - all according to a very detailed map I designed specifically for the space. To keep them healthy and looking their best, I make sure I prune and groom them regularly.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
A living garden maze is a puzzle of plantings – most will grow tall enough to prevent walkers from seeing the paths ahead. I designed the maze in this three acre pasture in front of my Winter House, so I could see it right from my window. This is a selection of Platanus acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’ trees, also known as London planes, planted almost in the center of the space. On each side are planted rows that will branch off with various pathway options and dead ends – with only one correct route to this open field.
Here is a row of hydrangeas, still with their dried flower heads intact. I planted a variety of different hedges, espaliers, trees, and shrubs in this maze – hundreds of specimens that add texture and interest, and all according to a detailed map I created specifically for the area.
This is Japanese barberry with its deep burgundy colored foliage.
Paul’s Gold threadleaf false cypress, Chamaecyparis pisifera, has year-round golden green foliage. The soft sprays of Paul’s Gold threadleaf false cypress emerges yellow in the spring and retains its gold color throughout the winter.
And this is holly with bright red berries combined with glossy, dark green foliage. Many varieties of holly, Ilex, have compact habits and glistening leaves that’s excellent for hedges, borders, and yes, mazes. Many of the evergreens in this maze are grown by Monrovia, a wholesale plant nursery specializing in well-nurtured shrubs, perennials, annuals, ferns, grasses, and conifers with several nursery locations across the country.
Completely bare now, but this is one of several Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’ trees, American sweetgums. As these trees mature, they will maintain this erect, columnar form, growing up to 50 feet tall and only about four-feet wide.
When needed, the developing hedges are trimmed. Alex prunes the tops of the European beech that grow along the outermost edge of the maze. He makes sure they are all cut to the exact height by using the STIHL HLA 86 Powered Extended-Reach Hedge Trimmer.
For a maze, it’s best to use relatively fast-growing trees. Many will grow to be at least six feet tall and two feet wide at maturity. These have grown at least two feet since it was pruned last summer. Landscape twine provides a cutting guide.
One eld is tied to a sturdy yet temporary stake and then stretched down the row, to another pole. Good, thoughtful preparation is crucial to any pruning job.
Pasang and Alex also use hand tools including Japanese shears and the portable 24-inch handle loppers made by STIHL.
The Japanese Okatsune shears are specially made for trimming hedges. These shears are user friendly, and come in a range of sizes.
Proper and regular trimming promotes new growth, improves air circulation and light through the branches, and keeps them looking aesthetically pleasing.
Here is a section pruned, groomed, and trimmed precisely.
Pasang follows to rake all the cut branches and leaves. My crew works in teams of two for good team work and safety.
Any clippings and late season leaves are discarded in my giant compost yard.
Pasang moves onto the apple espalier, trimming any new growth and suckers. I grow a variety of wonderful apples. And, at the right time, those walking through can pick a fruit while they meander through this botanical puzzle.
An espalier refers to an ancient technique, resulting in trees that grow flat, either against a wall, or along a wire-strung framework. Many kinds of trees respond beautifully to the espalier treatment, but fruit trees, like apple and pear, were some of the earliest examples. Espaliered trees can grow between four and eight feet apart – enough to allow them room as they grow, but still be close enough for a proper espalier. Among the apples in my maze are Liberty apples, Gala apples, Braeburn apples, and Yellow Delicious apples.
Pasang and Alex also tended this row of boxwood – shaping and trimming every one square.
Each shrub or bush is planted appropriately with enough space to accommodate its full grown size. As these plantings mature, they close up the spaces in between making it a true maze, with only one correct route to the intended destination.
There is still a lot of pruning work to be done in the maze, but my team is getting through it quickly and so efficiently.
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