Here at my farm, the trees continue to put on a spectacular display of fall color.
At this time of year, changes in temperature and daylight cause leaves to slow and eventually stop their food-making process. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color fades, revealing the beautiful hues of autumn - gorgeous shades of orange, yellow, brown, red, and evergreen.
Enjoy these photos.
Fall foliage has not quite hit full peak here at my farm, but the changing leaves are gorgeous.
There are leaves everywhere this time of year. Some trees change and drop early, others late – usually from mid-October to mid-November here in the Northeast.
Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs. Deciduous refers to those specimens that lose their leaves every year.
This is always a popular viewpoint – in every season. It is the carriage road leading to my woodland and hay fields.
And what a difference a couple of weeks make. A short time ago, there was still a lot of green in the trees – now many have changed to shades of yellow, burnt orange, and red.
The colors change daily – warm, sunny days and cool nights produce the most spectacular hues.
At the edge of the back hayfield is the giant sycamore tree – the symbol of my farm. The foliage of American sycamore trees is a vast crown of large leaves. In autumn, sycamore tree leaves turn shades of yellow and brown.
Here is a look through the woodland – so beautiful with its changing color palette.
Linden tree leaves turn a spectacular bright yellow color in fall. Lindens, Tilia, are also known as basswoods, and have sturdy, straight trunks and profuse foliage. This allée of lindens runs from the chicken coops up to my allée of boxwood and then again from the boxwood to my long pergola.
And I planted all these lindens. In fact, I’ve planted most of the trees on the property except the very tall towering trees that are original to the farm.
I extended this linden tree allée in 2017. When mature, lindens reach 50 to 80 feet in height with a spread of 35 to 50 feet. Every single one has developed so beautifully.
I’ve also planted many different types of trees in hopes that they would shade, provide climate control, and change color at different times, in different ways. Here is some of the autumn color seen across one of my paddocks.
I get many compliments on the fencing – it is antique spruce fencing I bought in Canada, and it surrounds all my paddocks for the horses, pony, and donkeys.
Just a week ago, this beautiful Nyssa sylvatica, or black tupelo, was still predominantly dark green, but now its foliage is turning bright red, purple, yellow, and orange – all colors that may appear on the same branch.
Here’s a closer look at some of the changing leaves.
The brooks and streams around the farm are also filled with falling foliage, but if one listens closely, one can hear the gentle, flowing babbling sounds.
I tour the farm several times a day when I am home. The best times to view the changing foliage is early morning when colors are softer and there is less sun glare, or later in the afternoon when the colors are rich and vibrant. Clear, calm days produce the brightest shades.
Here is one of my ginkgo trees. These trees show a dramatic change every fall when the bold green leaves turn golden bright yellow.
And do you know… it’s called fall after the older English phrase “fall of the leaf,” which refers to the season when the leaves drop. The word autumn comes from the Old French automne, from the Latin autumnus, and is used more in Britain.
Some of the best places to see the changing fall foliage include New England, Japan’s Kyoto and Hokkaido, Québec and Ontario in Canada, the Blue Ridge Parkway here in the US, Bavaria in Germany, and the Scottish Highlands. I hope you are able to enjoy some of these amazing autumn colors wherever you are.
Consistency and positive reinforcement are essential to successful dog training. Dogs learn best when desirable behaviors are rewarded, which helps them build confidence and develop reliable habits.
Yesterday, Sal Romano, proprietor of Delighted Pets in nearby Brewster, New York, came to my farm to continue training my French Bulldog puppy, Half Moon - this time with her mother, Luna Muna, joining the lesson. The mother-and-daughter duo worked together in a fenced area, practicing both on and off leash. Their session included short periods of exercise, rest, obedience training, and reward-based drills. Training takes patience and repetition, and time, but for now, Half Moon is enjoying the process and "learning something new every day."
Here are some photos, enjoy!
Half Moon is ready for anything. My 11-month old puppy is full of energy and spunk and is adored by everyone at the farm.
Here she is waiting patiently for her trainer, Sal, to arrive, while watching some activity around my kitchen.
The morning started a little chilly, but Half Moon and Luna Muna were eager to work with Sal. First, Sal allows the two to play a little in the pool area to use up some of their energy.
The two are very close and love to play with each other all the time. Sal also thinks it is good to let the dogs play away from the rest of the pack.
Next, Sal puts Luna Muna on a lead to see how she heels and whether Half Moon follows – it goes very well.
Luna is a show dog and already knows how to walk obediently at Sal’s side, but Half Moon wants to explore on her own.
Half Moon is very confident at the farm – and very curious to sniff, which is another vital activity, providing mental stimulation, environmental awareness, and emotional enrichment.
But it doesn’t take long before she comes close to Luna Muna again. And the three walk nicely together around the pool.
A mother dog can model good behavior if she is already trained, but a puppy still needs independent socialization and human-led training for healthy development.
Sal quickens his speed, so the dogs are more attentive and focused, keeping the training fun.
Half Moon’s attention span is short – about 12 to 20 minutes in total, but it can be longer if it is mixed with breaks of play and rest. Sal uses the opportunity to practice recalls back to him and Luna Muna when she is at a distance.
Next, a little rest and work on the command “down,” which is a cue that tells the dog to lie flat on the ground with its belly down and remaining still until released. Don’t confuse it with the command “off,” which is often used to cue the dog to get off furniture, a certain space, or even off a person.
And then “doggie sit-ups” – asking the two to “sit” and then “down,” sit” and then “down.” It is very important for a dog in training to have a consistent group of words to work with, so they are not confused.
Always provide fresh water when working, but give it in small, frequent amounts with breaks between drinks to prevent gulping and reduce risks like bloat.
After the break, Sal gives the dogs another play session, stopping occasionally for a sit or a recall.
When training is fun, dogs are more motivated, engaged, and willing to learn — making it a form of enrichment rather than a chore.
Half Moon is happy to learn and eager to please. Occasionally, Sal offers small treat-rewards to make the drill even more successful, especially amid distractions.
Sal also allows the two to wrestle, which tires them out. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog.
And finally, “down.” Good girl.
Sal, Luna Muna, and Half Moon walk back to my Winter House for a well-deserved nap. Dog training is a gradual process that requires repetition, consistency, trust, and patience. And so far, Half Moon, and Luna Muna, are doing great.
October is an especially busy month at my farm, as my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew work to bring all my warm-weather container plants indoors for the winter.
I have an extensive collection of tropical plants that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Because I live in a four-season region, these tender specimens must be moved into the greenhouses, where temperature and humidity can be carefully managed throughout the colder months. The plants that spent the summer at Skylands, my home in Maine, are also brought back for winter storage. Moving and organizing such a large collection is a time-consuming process, but it is essential to protecting these plants and ensuring they remain healthy until they brought out again in spring.
Enjoy these photos.
Every year, I evaluate the needs of my plants and decide where they will be stored for the winter months. Plants grow, so they cannot always be stored in the same place. It’s a big multiple-day process.
The hoop house structures are all made from steel frames and polyethylene panels. Inside, the temperature and humidity levels are closely monitored and can be adjusted as necessary. They all have manual roll-up curtains on both sides for ventilation purposes on milder days.
I repurpose stumps from downed trees to use as risers for some of the potted plants or for the legs of tables. It’s important to make use of both horizontal and vertical space when storing.
All the plants are brought to their designated greenhouse and placed outside, so each one can be inspected, and trimmed or repotted if necessary. Then, each one is carried into the structure where they will stay for about seven months.
Some plants need repotting before going indoors. Matthew oversees what plants need to be moved into bigger containers.
Phurba repots a selection of bird’s nest ferns.
For all the indoor potting needs, we use Miracle-Gro potting mix, which combines natural, nutrient-rich ingredients with the right balance of moisture retention, aeration, and drainage.
Bird’s nest ferns grow a couple inches per year, or two to four new fronds annually. They are all repotted every two to three years.
They are also fed with Osmocote, a controlled‑release fertilizer made of polymer‑coated granules that slowly provide nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other beneficial elements to the plants.
Manageable potted plants are wheeled inside by hand cart.
These plants are outside the hoop house next to my vegetable greenhouse. Many of the plants are grouped by type and by care needs.
Here is a sago palm. Everyone rushes to move the plants because of the threat of frost in the area. Tropical plants, such as sago palms, need to be moved indoors before temperatures dip below freezing and then kept in a bright, well‑ventilated space.
Tables on both sides of this hoop house are used to store small, often younger potted specimens.
The ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is a striking succulent from eastern Mexico, with a bulbous trunk and long, hair‑like leaves. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent.
These agaves also have sharp spines, so it is important to place them strategically.
One by one, plants are brought inside and also positioned so none of the plants touch. Plants are sensitive and if left touching could cause a defense response reducing growth. Plants can also become more easily infested with pests or diseases if left touching.
This hoop house is full. I am very fortunate I have enough hoop houses and other indoor spaces to keep my expansive plant collection.
All the greenhouses are checked a couple times each day to make sure the temperature remains comfortably warm inside. Too cold, plants will freeze – too hot, plants will rot.
This year, I also stored some plants in my vegetable greenhouse.
And in my stable, where there is room for even taller specimens.
I was worried I wouldn’t get them all in on time, but I did. They’ll continue to thrive in the hoop houses until they are brought outdoors again in spring.
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