July 12, 2023

Staking My Dahlias

Beautiful, colorful dahlias continue to bloom at my Bedford, New York farm.

Dahlias begin to bloom with great profusion just as many summer plants pass their prime, and they last right up until the first frost. My all-dahlia garden was planted in a large bed behind my vegetable greenhouse and we saw our first dahlias of the season already blooming in early June. As they grow it's important to provide tall dahlia stems with good support to help the plants weather any storms and strong winds. Yesterday, my gardener Brian O'Kelly, along with the help of Phurba Sherpa from my outdoor grounds crew, staked every plant using bamboo canes and jute twine.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

July 11, 2023

New Footpaths Around the Stewartia Garden

Dozens of pressed red clay bricks and stone pavers I had been storing from previous homes and projects have found new purpose here at my Bedford, New York farm.

Not long ago, I decided it was time to create some new footpaths around my Stewartia garden just outside my Tenant House. For the last few weeks Pete Sherpa and Fernando Ferrari from my outdoor grounds crew have been working hard clearing the designated areas, cutting the sod, laying down stone dust, bricks, and pavers, and finally spreading a layer of nutrient-rich mulch around the garden beds to give it all a beautiful and finished appearance.

Enjoy these photos.

July 10, 2023

Pruning and Grooming My Hornbeam Hedges

It's that time of year again, when the fast growing hornbeam hedges around my farm need to be pruned and groomed.

Over the last couple of weeks, my outdoor grounds crew trimmed the tall hornbeam hedge in front of my main greenhouse. They also tackled the long hornbeam hedge that runs from my Summer House and along the road behind my Winter House as well as the nearby hornbeam shrubs. Botanically known as Carpinus betulus, the hornbeam is a fast-growing deciduous tree. In fact, it can grow about four to five feet per year. I keep a close eye on all the hornbeams - it’s crucial to prune them regularly, so they never look too overgrown and unruly.

Enjoy these photos.