I am very fortunate to have several greenhouses here at my farm where I can maintain large collections of beautiful potted plants. But with so many, I am constantly thinking of new ways I can make better use of the space in each one. One solution - go vertical.
Creating multiple growing levels is a strategic approach to maximizing every inch of room. Recently, Pete Sherpa from my crew, made benches out of scrap wood and leftover mesh wire to support more plants on top of the long, sliding tables in my main greenhouse. It's an easy project that helps keep my container plants well-spaced and organized.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
When it comes to building materials, I save as much as I can. One never knows when they will come in handy. Last year, I saved the usable wood from a fence I took down around my garden at Skylands, my home in Maine. A portion of the cedar wood will now be repurposed as tiered benches for my main greenhouse.
This is wire mesh saved from the building of the sliding tables in my greenhouse – strong durable metal that can support heavy potted plants and drain efficiently. There is enough to make four benches.
Working off of the requested measurements for the space, Pete measures and marks the wood to be cut.
Fortunately, I have a small workshop at the farm, where I store all the necessary equipment for these woodworking projects. Here, Pete cuts the wood on the table saw.
He makes all of his cuts for two benches before constructing them. Working in this kind of production line process is fast and efficient.
Pete makes sure the legs are of equal length.
After cutting the legs, each one looks like this with one quarter of the top still intact.
Using a knife, Pete trims off any jagged edges of wood.
This is what they look like after cutting.
Pete also trims the ends of the horizontal pieces at a 45-degree angle.
And then starts to put it together. Here is one corner.
The legs will not only support the tops, but keep them in position.
Here’s a view from the top. Notice how the horizontal piece is placed. A perpendicular piece of wood will complete the corner and fit perfectly.
Using two and a half inch screws, Pete secures the horizontal pieces to the legs.
Here’s a view from the side. This wood already has a beautiful patina, which is a natural finish made by sunlight, air, and moisture over time.
Here is the base of one bench all done. The legs are just a couple feet tall – enough for some pots above and below the bench. This particular piece is 50-inches long and just about a foot wide.
Next, Pete places the wire mesh over the base.
And secures it with screws and washers.
And here is one of the benches in the greenhouse – ready to be used.
Using tiered benches is an excellent way to maximize space in my greenhouse where every single inch counts.
The weather has been pretty mild for this time of year and perfect for getting lots of chores done around my farm.
While I was in Milan for the Olympics my crew completed numerous projects, including pruning various trees, chipping branches, starting more plants from seed, harvesting vegetables from the greenhouse, and all the regular daily tasks of caring for the animals and keeping everything clean and tidy. What's on your to-do list this weekend?
Enjoy these photos.
Once trees and branches are taken down, they are placed in various piles near the carriage roads. We try to keep all the piles as neat as possible so as not to block any roads or damage the ground beneath them.
Then, manageable tree limbs and branches are put through the chipper.
The chipper is pointed back toward the woodland, so chips can top dress the remaining healthy trees.
This is my stable barn where I store hay equipment and feed for the animals. In winter, sometimes varying temperatures can cause these sliding doors to bind and stick making them difficult to open and close. Pete makes adjustments to the door system to address the issue.
If this happens to your sliding barn doors, first lift the door manually off the track.
Then look above – the hardware should be adjustable. Pete unscrews the cover plate.
He does this on both sides. Check to see what tools are needed to loosen and tighten the hardware before starting the project.
Barn doors usually have large screws that help raise and lower the positioning of the doors. Pete adjusts them until the doors slide easily and smoothly.
And that’s it. Pete checks all the doors to ensure they are in good working order.
Meanwhile, Cesar works in the bird enclosures changing out old, wet bedding. We’re still under several inches of snow – some of it has melted, and rain and possible snow are expected this weekend.
Inside the stable, Helen grooms Banchunch, my Fell pony. This time of year, the horses are out during the day and in their warm stalls at night. And every day, each one is well-groomed.
After a good brushing, Banchunch likes to drink warm water from the large stone sink.
In the greenhouse, my gardeners are busy preparing for the next growing season. It will be here before we know it. Matthew fills trays with potting mix and brings them in the head house to be planted with seeds.
And look what was just picked from my vegetable greenhouse – fresh, perfect radishes…
… and lots of delicious, organic arugula. Both will make a great salad.
Enma polishes these silver cups. I use vintage silver and brass containers for holding my desk essentials.
As with all my silver, items are first washed, then wiped with Wright’s Silver Cream, and then rinsed thoroughly.
And in minutes, the silver cup shines beautifully.
And don’t forget the doggies – here’s Luna Muna getting groomed after an active day at the farm. Her paws are cleaned and her coat is brushed.
Lilium, my brown Persian longhair, watches from the rolling laundry basket.
And here’s Luna with her little baby, Half Moon, who doesn’t seem quite ready to take a nap just yet. There’s always a lot going on at my farm to keep it in good order. What tasks are you taking on this weekend?
Be sure to tune in to my newest podcast on the iHeart media app, or wherever you get your podcasts. These shows are when I sit down for one-on-one conversations with fascinating people to learn about their individual careers, how they evolved, and what stories they can share with listeners.
A couple of weeks ago, we all watched the Big Game. It was ranked the 2nd-most watched in its history, with more than 125 million viewers. We also watched the commercials - some of the most fun we'll see this year. But what do these spots cost to air? What does it take to create a winning campaign? And what have been some of the most memorable Big Game ads over the years? I went to the PepsiCo world headquarters in Purchase, New York to ask Mark Kirkham, Chief Marketing Officer for PepsiCo’s beverage division. It was a very interesting and informative conversation and a beautiful tour of the grounds.
Enjoy these photos and please listen to my podcast.
The PepsiCo world headquarters sits on more than 100 acres in the quaint hamlet of Purchase in the town of Harrison, New York – less than an hour from my farm. Seven buildings surround a center courtyard. This sculpture in a large water fountain is David Wynne’s “Girl with Dolphin.” It is one of 45 outdoor pieces included in the Donald M. Kendal Sculpture Gardens.
The square block buildings were designed with strips of dark windows topped by rows of tan stone. Trees and bushes line the courtyard and driveway.
The trees are meticulously manicured all around the complex. These buildings were designed by architect Edward Durrell Stone whose works also include the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Here is another view. The area is still under several inches of snow, but it is finally beginning to melt away.
Small ponds provide tranquil spaces for employees and guests who are free to visit the garden on weekends from March to November, and on selected holidays.
The corporate flag outside the complex is flown alongside the United States Stars and Stripes.
Here is another installation art piece on the grounds. The Donald M. Sculpture Gardens includes works from many modern artists including August Rodin, Henry Moore, and Alexander Calder.
These three tall sculptures are part of Arnaldo Pomodoro’s “Triad.” The sculpture garden was meant to create an “atmosphere of stability and creativity” according to former CEO Donald M. Kendall. I used to cater for the Kendall family and also for parties here at the headquarters – you’ll hear about it in my podcast.
Inside, the floors are spacious. This is an in-house cafeteria space offering, of course, PepsiCo products.
A big gumball machine also sits on the ground floor – and yes, it works. Two gumballs for a dollar.
And vintage bottle crates decorate the area – remember any of these?
Expansive beverage and work spaces fill other floors for department meetings.
Here I am with beverage division CMO Mark Kirkham just before my podcast began. During the show, I ask him the difference between marketing and advertising and why both are so important for every single American company. I ask him about the commercials his company produced for the Big Game and how they ranked against all the others. Which was your favorite? We talked about business, and how his brands have evolved. And we talked about consumers, what they want, and all the choices they have. It was a very informative conversation.
And here I am in the company golf cart after the podcast – yes, I am driving. Please listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts. It’s out now!
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