Here in the Northeast, the plants and trees continue to show off their gorgeous fall colors.
This time of year, because of the changes in temperature and length of daylight, the leaves stop their food-making process. When this happens, the chlorophyll breaks down and the green color disappears, making way for all the shades of autumn. Here at my farm, we're still waiting for a hard frost. In fact, today's temperatures are expected to be in the high 70s, but the colors across the landscape are beautiful - various shades of orange, yellow, brown, red, and evergreen.
Enjoy these photos.
There are leaves everywhere this time of year. Some trees change 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.
At my farm I planted many different types of trees in hopes that they would shade, provide climate control, and change color at different times, in different ways. It’s so beautiful to see them change through the seasons.
And what a difference a couple of weeks make. These tall sugar maples above my tree peony garden are now nearly bare of leaves. Just a couple of weeks ago, they were filled with gorgeous shades of yellow, burnt orange, and red.
The colors change daily, Warm, sunny days and cool nights produce the most spectacular colors.
Here is one of my ginkgo trees. These trees show a dramatic change every fall when the bold green leaves turn golden bright yellow.
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.
Nearby, the early evening sun shines through the golden leaves above the dark evergreens.
Here is a look through the woodland – so beautiful with its palette of gold, green, and auburn.
And this is what one sees on the other side of the same giant field – beautiful shades of red.
It is fall here now, but in Australia and New Zealand, autumn begins in March and ends in May, while those who live near the equator miss this season entirely because their regions get a consistent amount of sun.
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 below the tall white pines runs from the chicken coops up to my allée of boxwood and then again from the boxwood to my long pergola.
Here beneath my dawn redwoods, the hostas are also changing. Hosta leaves turn yellow, brown, and soft orange and then die back as the plants prepare for winter dormancy.
I also 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. This is my grove of American beech trees, Fagus grandifolia.
This is one side of my allée of pin oaks, Quercus palustris. They are starting to turn a gorgeous russet brown.
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.
On the other side of my terrace – an apple tree, now completely bare except for a few fruits.
Redbud trees, with their heart-shaped leaves display a variety of fall colors, including yellow, golden, and crimson.
We’ve already begun placing old bales of hay around the hoop houses to add insulation for the coming cold.
This time of year is always so magical. Here are my horses grazing in their run-in pasture surrounded by the beautiful foliage. I hope you are able to enjoy some of these autumn colors where you are.
It's mid-October and the ground is still pretty soft, so planting projects continue here at my farm.
The three-acre lush pasture just outside my Winter House is the setting for my living maze, which I started in the spring of 2022. I've planted a variety of interesting trees, hedges, espaliers, and shrubs - rows of plantings that branch off with pathway options and dead ends, with only one correct route to the center. It's now more than half way complete. Most recently, I decided to add a beautiful row of 'Green Mountain' boxwood as part of a newly designed space within the maze. It will look so pretty once it's all finished.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
This large collection of boxwood is from Select Horticulture in nearby Pound Ridge, New York. I get many of my bigger specimens from Select Horticulture – they are always very healthy and lush.
Pete and Ryan go over my sketches and instructions for planting the boxwood.
It’s important to take the time to plan out a new garden bed and put up lines so plantings are straight and properly measured.
I wanted these boxwood shrubs to be placed in a row east to west in this maze next to my tall London plane trees. Pete measures and runs the bright landscape twine across the field.
Next, Pete cuts the sod with our Classen Pro HSC18 sod cutter. He goes up and down twice to cut the sod in two long strips.
Alex cuts the sod in sections, so it is easier to pick up.
And then José rolls up the sections, so they can be removed. The sod is two inches thick, and with the soil can be quite heavy.
All these sod pieces will be used in another section of the farm, so nothing is wasted.
Phurba sprinkles generous amounts of fertilizer along the entire length of the area. Remember what I always say, “if you eat, so should your plants.”
And then he starts tilling the bed with our Troy-Bilt Pony Rear-Tine Tiller. The machine is set to till the soil at about six to eight inches deep. On some tillers, the speed of the rotating tines helps determine the speed of the machine.
Meanwhile, Pete transports small groups of boxwood to the planting area.
Meanwhile, the boxwood is lined up next to the bed where it will be planted.
Buxus is a genus of at least 70-species in the family Buxaceae. ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood is a woody, broadleaf, evergreen shrub with bright green foliage that retains good color throughout winter.
And then the digging begins. Our Kubota M62 tractor loader and backhoe are positioned to dig a trench for the boxwood. Digging a trench is not only faster when planting a number of specimens in a row compared to individual holes, but it also allows more break up of the soil for new roots to grow and for better circulation of oxygen and water.
Phurba follows to remove any excess soil and manually smooths out the trench as needed.
The wire caging, plastic, and burlap are removed from each root ball as it is placed into the trench.
Here’s Phurba placing one of the boxwood shrubs. All these shrubs are in good condition, but when planting, my crew knows to always face the best looking side out.
José measures the space between each boxwood – not once, but twice. It should be three feet from center stem to center stem.
Also check the height of each one against its neighbors and line plants accordingly to create a cohesive and attractive row.
The shrubs are then backfilled. A good tip is to “plant bare to the flare,” meaning do not bury above the flare, where the first main roots attach to the main stem or trunk. The roots need oxygen to grow. By placing the root flare at or slightly above ground level when planting gives the shrub the best chance for survival, growth, and development.
The bed is raked and blown, so it looks tidy.
Next, these newly planted shrubs will get a good and deep drink.
When fully mature, ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood can grow to be three to seven feet tall and two to three feet wide. Eventually, the boxwood will create a handsome hedge. This is still a work in progress – wait until you see what happens next!
Have you ever been to Hudson River Park? It continues to be one of the most vibrant spaces in New York City. I encourage you to visit the next time you're in the area - you will see why it is so special.
Hudson River Park is considered the largest open space project in Manhattan since Central Park. At four miles long, it is the longest waterfront park in the country and attracts millions of visitors each year. Last week, hundreds of dedicated supporters gathered to celebrate the Park’s continued growth and its many members, visitors, volunteers, staff, and partners at the annual Hudson River Park Gala. The event raised more than $2.5 million to support the Park’s initiatives and care. The evening included cocktails followed by dinner, a live auction, and a musical performance at Manhattan's Chelsea Piers overlooking the Hudson River. It was a beautiful evening and a successful event.
Enjoy these photos.
I am a big supporter of Hudson River Park. When my grandchildren were younger, my family and I spent lots of time enjoying its playgrounds and waterfront views. I am also on the Board of Hudson River Park Friends – an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, care, and enhancement of the space, and the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust. (Photo courtesy HRPF)
Hudson River Park includes 550 land and water acres of reconstructed piers, an Estuarine Sanctuary, display gardens, expansive lawns, athletic fields, playgrounds, dog runs, esplanades, public sculptures, and relaxing sitting areas along Manhattan’s West Side.(Photo courtesy HRPF)
Millions of visitors come to Hudson River Park each year to enjoy its waterfront views and public spaces. (Photo courtesy HRPF)
Hudson River Park continues to evolve. Pier 97 is now open. Hudson River Park’s northernmost pier brings 2.5 acres of open space for recreation and lounging to Manhattan’s West Side. Celebrating this major milestone brought together local leaders, the teams responsible for the project, and the community whose input was instrumental in informing the pier’s features and design.
Every year, I make it a point to attend the Hudson River Park Gala in New York City. It is a fun evening and an important fundraising event to support the Park’s operations and public programming, including its year-round educational, environmental, sustainability and cultural programs.
The Gala began with cocktails and oysters by the Carousel at Pier 62. Guests were then led by this jazz band and dancing group from The Juilliard School to Pier Sixty for dinner and the evening’s program. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
I attended this year’s gala with several longtime friends and colleagues including Kevin Sharkey and my attorney, Larry Shire.
Dinner started with Shrimp Jardinière with golden beets, grilled asparagus, ruby grapefruit, carrot purée and citrus gastrique.
Also sitting at my table – Daisy Schwartzberg Toye and Heather Kirkland.
Executive director of Hudson River Park Friends, Connie Fishman, addressed the audience and thanked everyone for attending. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
The Gala honored several supporters including second-generation restaurateurs Miles Pincus and Alex Pincus, Co-Founders of Grand Banks and Crew. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
Our entrée was Branzino Provençal served with lemon fennel leek confit, citrus gastrique, cauliflower purée, artichokes, kale, and maitake mushrooms.
Another honoree was the Terminal Warehouse Development Team. Here is David Levinson, Chairman & CEO of the real estate investment and development business, L&L Holding Company, which he co-founded with Robert Lapidus, accepting the team’s award. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
Madelyn Wils is the former president of the Hudson River Park Trust. She also spoke to the audience. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
Dessert was a tray of family style sweets for each table.
Gabriel Butu hosted the evening’s live auction and paddle raise.
After dinner, guests were treated to an unforgettable performance by Andy Bell of Erasure, who sang Oh L’Amour, Chains Of Love, A Little Respect and Victim of Love. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
Here I am with Andy Bell and his husband, Stephen Moss. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
And here I am with Kevin in front of the step-and-repeat banner. Kevin also lives near the Park and enjoys its gardens and spaces whenever he can. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
Before leaving, Kevin, Daisy, Dr. Daniel Belkin, and fashion designer, Suzie Kondi, and I take some fun photos with our paddles. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Friends of Hudson River Park)
It was a successful and fun evening for all. The event raised more than $2.5 million dollars for the Park. I encourage you to visit New York City’s Hudson River Park. Are you in the area this weekend? It is a spectacular space.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
