This year’s spring burlap removal project continues at my long Boxwood Allee.
Last week, my outdoor grounds crew removed the burlap in front of my Winter House and behind my Summer House. Then they tackled the burlap along the Boxwood Allee that's located outside my stable and runs all the way down to the carriage road leading to the woodland. The entire removal process is a large undertaking which takes several days to complete. Every autumn, I cover all my boxwood shrubs and outdoor urns to protect them from the heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. We use strong steel frames and custom fit burlap casings sewn by hand. And every spring, everything is removed to expose all the lush green foliage - it's a complete transformation.
Enjoy these photos.
For as long as I’ve been gardening I’ve covered my boxwood shrubs and outdoor ornamental urns. When the ground begins to thaw, it’s all removed. Here is the Boxwood Allee about to go through its spring transformation.
The winter burlap still looks so good – it held up so well through the entire season protecting my precious plantings. The boxwood has grown so much over the years. Every winter, these burlap tents are made taller and taller to accommodate their size.
The first step is to remove the wooden strips that help sandwich and secure the burlap. These strips are at the bottom of the metal frames.
Phurba unscrews each one all the way down the allee.
These strips are saved until next fall when the burlap is put up once again.
Phurba and Domi remove the burlap from one end of this section of the Boxwood Allee. All of the coverings are custom wrapped and sewn to fit each individual shrub, hedge, or bush. The holes are for any birds that wish to take shelter under the burlap during inclement weather.
Slowly, the two roll back the fabric from on top of the metal frames.
The burlap and all the supplies are removed gently, so as to preserve as much burlap as possible. Once a section is removed, it is placed and folded in half neatly on the ground. No cars are allowed up or down the allee during the removal process.
And then rolled carefully. We use industrial burlap that’s available in giant rolls of 40-inches or 60-inches wide. These covers are used for two or three seasons before being replaced.
Once the burlap is rolled and tied, Phurba labels the roll indicating what section it covers and where. The label will make it easy to identify next fall when the boxwood is covered again. He decides to place two labels just in case one piece of tape falls off – it has happened.
For these boxwood shrubs, I use the same metal used to make hoop houses – strong industrial steel ground uprights and purlin pipes.
These materials not only provide the necessary support frames for the burlap but also accommodate any growth – one can see how much room there is between the top of the boxwood and the metal frame.
Here’s Domi working on removing another section of the burlap.
Next, Domi removes the tension purlin brackets one by one. They connect the center piping to the bow sections of the frame.
These brackets are also removed carefully and saved in one container, so they can be stored easily and then used again next year.
Meanwhile, with Chhiring on one side and Pasang on the other, the two remove the bow metal frames that go over the boxwood. And look, everything is so green. We are always amazed every spring. Covering it definitely helps preserve the plantings.
Pasang then removes the long bar from atop the center of the boxwood sections. Taking down the burlap is a much faster process than putting the burlap up, but it’s still very time-consuming.
All the metal pieces are placed neatly along the allee carriage road until they are picked up and taken to our storage area.
Here, Pasang removes the metal legs that hold up the hoop structures along the allee.
It’s such a change – one that we all look forward to seeing this time every year.
Some question whether covering the boxwood each winter really helps, but look how lush and intact the plantings are when exposed – I definitely feel it is worth the time and effort. This week is unseasonably cold – highs are only expected in the 40s today, but we’re all so excited for spring and the gardening season ahead.
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, our long list of spring projects continues with the "planting" of a new perch for my fancy pigeons.
My pigeons live in a very safe and comfortable pen near my stable, where they get lots of attention from visiting friends and family. Inside their enclosure, they love to perch on the roof of their dovecote and watch various activities around the property. During one of my visits, I noticed they were not utilizing the smaller perch set up for them outside the coop - perhaps it was just too low for their liking. I asked Pete and Fernando to create a new perch for them - one that would allow lots of pigeons to gather together up high and see all that is around them.
Enjoy these photos.
Pigeons are very observant and one of the most intelligent of all the bird species. These birds have a remarkable capacity to recognize and remember many things. Here are some of my fancy pigeons watching their new perch being “planted” in their enclosure.
This perch outside the pigeon coop is not used as often as I would like. I realized it was likely too low and instructed the crew to make a much bigger and taller one.
Pete starts digging a hole on one side of the pen making sure the location does not block their tree perch or their flight space. Pete uses a post hole digger, which is used to dig narrow holes. The tool is jabbed into the ground in the open position and then closed to grab and pull out the soil.
Here’s a closer look at the post hole digger – this tool is available at any hardware store. A post hole digger is also known as a clamshell digger, because of its resemblance to the seaside shell. It doesn’t take long to dig the hole deep enough for the post. Pete makes sure it is at least a foot and a half deep.
Pete uses a tamping bar to loosen the soil around any big rocks in the hole.
And then Fernando and Pete “plant” the first post into the ground. Fernando backfills as Pete holds the post straight. No cement needed.
Once it is secure, level, and straight, Pete packs the soil firmly with his foot – this post is definitely not moving.
Pigeons are very docile, gentle and sweet-natured birds – everyone at the farm loves visiting them. And they are also well-guarded by the neighboring peafowl, who chase any aerial predators away from the pen. Many of my birds have been raised here at the farm, so they’re all accustomed to the various people and noises. These pigeons are very curious.
Fernando and Pete place the second post into its proper hole – so far, so good.
And then they lift up the horizontal piece and put it in place. They center the log appropriately, and check that it is level. It will be a great viewing spot for all the pigeons.
Pete uses an eight inch screw and matching bolt to attach the horizontal log to the vertical supports.
Here he drills in the other screw and bolt.
This perch is very safe and secure.
The pigeons are watching very intently from the roof of their coop. The entire project takes less than an hour to complete.
Inside, Pete and Fernando also built this new ladder perch – it fits one entire wall of the pigeon enclosure. We keep these shelters very dry to prevent bacteria and disease from developing – water and moisture are the enemies. Pigeons can be quite messy, but it is important to keep their enclosures as clean as possible.
It doesn’t take long before the pigeons start using it. They already love their new roost.
Some of the pigeons watch from their nearby nesting boxes. Pigeons mate for life and both female and male pigeons share the responsibility of caring for and raising their young.
And here it is – all complete. I think it looks great.
I am sure these birds will soon fly to their new perching spot to check it out. They love to perch together. An adult pigeon is about 13 inches in length and can weigh up to 20 ounces.
The pigeon enclosure is very long – they love flying around from place to place. This new perch is a nice addition to the space. Here at my Bedford farm, I always enjoy teaching visitors about the many birds I keep – the peafowl, the Guinea fowl, the geese, the chickens, and of course, my pigeons. I am so glad my pigeons are happy here at Cantitoe Corners.
It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Laura Acuna.
Laura retired as my housekeeper in 2018 after 32-years. If you follow this blog regularly, I am sure many of you remember her. In whatever role she took on she stood apart as someone special. Over the years, Laura created many of the gorgeous holiday settings in my homes - every one of them different and every one of them beautiful. She set amazing tables for my parties and dinners - carefully selecting each plate and folding each napkin. During warmer months, when I welcomed select groups for tours of my gardens, Laura prepared the most delicious pomegranate tea - and lots of it because guests always came back for more. Laura picked flowers and made the most delightful arrangements. She picked many of the fruits and harvested buckets of vegetables. And she loved my pets - she was often seen walking my dogs, grooming my cats, and talking sweetly to my canaries. Her presence is felt everywhere here at my farm. We will miss her zest for life, her talents and skills, her humor, and her contagious smile. Laura was a genuinely warm individual, a loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother, and our great friend. Our thoughts are with her husband Victor, her children Laura and Daniel, her sister Maria, her grandchildren, and all those who loved her so dearly.
Here are just some of the photos I've gathered of Laura, enjoy.
This photo was taken in 2019 after she retired. We had just enjoyed a delicious lunch with her family in Westport, Connecticut.
Here I am with Laura, her husband, Victor, and her grandsons.
This is a photo of my Bedford staff on the steps to my Winter House kitchen. We gathered together to celebrate Laura’s retirement after more than three decades working with me.
Sanu, Laura, and I worked on many projects in my kitchen. Here we are preparing the tomatoes from the garden for making sauce.
Laura and I had so much fun over the years. We laughed quite a bit.
A friendly kiss on her last day working at the farm.
This photo was taken in the summer of 2017 when Laura and I visited my former Turkey Hill home in Westport, Connecticut.
On this day, Laura was busy picking blueberries in the blueberry patch. This photo was taken by my late sister, Laura Plimpton. It was one of Laura Acuna’s favorite pictures.
And here is Laura with Snoop!
Laura often helped with my blogs – here she is posing with my French Bulldog Sharkey while she polished the silver.
Here’s an early photo from 2010. Laura cleans the freshly laid eggs with a damp cloth.
She would often be seen walking the dogs around the farm – Laura was very active.
Laura was a big help with magazine shoots. Here she is in 2011 getting Bartok’s attention for the camera.
During garden tours, I often provide refreshments on my terrace parterre. Laura was always ready to serve them with her big smile.
Here she is taking care of a canary’s nails. After catching each bird, Laura clipped its nails, one by one. She was an excellent bird wrangler.
Laura and my driver, Carlos Villamil, were close friends.
Here is Laura with Pete, and Chhewang at one of our many staff parties at the farm.
Alex, who worked at my East Hampton home, posed with Laura for this photo in 2011. My beloved French Bulldog, Francesca, is in Laura’s lap.
Laura loved my dogs. Here she is with Francesca and Sharkey. She groomed them, walked them, and kept them out of trouble.
As many of you know, Laura did most of the holiday decorating. She had such a knack and keen eye.
Laura loved to help with everything around the farm. Here, she is covering one of horse carriages after cleaning it with Sanu.
Sanu and Laura prepare coffee in the stable for a big tour of the farm in 2013.
This photo was just before a bath – for the dog, of course.
Laura always made the most refreshing pomegranate punches. Here she is ladling it for one of our guests.
Laura “teaches” Francesca all about red currants.
Laura was involved with every holiday – her decorating touch was magical. She learned a lot by watching our magazine editors and stylists. She always made every party at my home beautiful.
Laura Acuna was so lovingly attentive with all of my animals. Here she is with Vivaldi in 2014.
Laura was very strong. Here she is holding a peck of apples.
In this photo, Laura places tinsel on an ornamental tree. She decorated hundreds of Christmas trees over the years – many of them were photographed for my magazine.
Laura organized my basement full of plates, dishes, glasses and other tableware, cooking tools, and baking essentials.
One Easter, Laura and I are seen in my kitchen – both very focused on our tasks.
Here is Laura before one of the big dinner parties at my home. She is standing with Moises and my housekeeper, Sanu. On the counter are two bisteeya dishes.
Laura always included flowers at every table. Her creativity and talent for setting the most delightful table scapes was unmatched.
Cecilia Butris, who worked at our New York City offices, sits with Laura during an employee luncheon at the farm.
Another great photo of some of my farm staff in 2015 – Ang, Chhewang, Laura, Pete, Chhiring, Phurba, and Wilmer.
Fernando, Laura, and my driver, Andres, pose for this snapshot.
Sanu and Laura picked many almonds on this day. It was a process to pick them by hand into a bucket and remove the outer husks one by one.
Here is Laura serving homemade applesauce, eggs, apples, and warm apple cider.
In my basement, Laura prepares the children’s Easter baskets just before my annual Easter egg hunt and luncheon.
This photo was taken in 2016. Laura is ready to pick the first strawberries of the season.
Every photo of Laura has her smiling. It was infectious. Guests loved greeting her and learning how long she had been working with me. Here she is with another large bowl of her well-loved pomegranate iced-tea.
Laura was always the first to get the blueberries when they were sweet and ready for picking.
Every summer, Laura helped harvest vegetables from the garden. Here she is cleaning one of the beautiful leeks.
And here she is after picking gourds and pumpkins.
Laura also got her hands dirty picking potatoes – she loved to do so many things.
Another staff photo – this one from 2016. Laura loved everyone on our farm crew.
And here is Laura with her grandson, Lucas. Lucas and Laura were extremely close. She was so very proud of his accomplishments.
Whenever you caught her, Laura was always smiling.
Here she is picking currants in front of my greenhouse.
And here she is at the raspberry bushes.
Laura knew where every bowl and napkin was stored – her memory was impeccable.
Here’s another Christmas tree lovingly decorated by Laura.
Lucas and Laura took this photo during the holidays. Never did Laura decorate a room the same way twice – every one was always different.
You would often catch Laura in my Winter House kitchen. Her presence is still felt there.
Here she is with my friend, Chef Pierre Schaedelin. They worked on many dinners together.
A wave and a smile from my Winter House door during the porch renovation.
Here she is with Patrick Tierney, a member of my security team.
Back in the basement – this time, organizing my wine cellar.
Our lovely Laura greeting guests during another tour of the gardens.
She always had such a gentle touch. Her grandson, Lucas, captured this photo as Laura held one of the many chicks hatched in my kitchen.
Here she is with my head gardener, Ryan McCallister after a big harvest of squash.
A fall photo with the pumpkins.Laura decorated indoors and out.
And here is Laura at the servery sink, polishing a silver tray.
Laura and Carlos stop for this sweet photo during her retirement party in December 2018.
And here’s another with Enma Sandoval.
And one with Carlos “Dos”. The entire team on my farm is very close.
We all love you, Laura, and will miss you very much. Laura B. Acuna – July 10, 1939 – March 19, 2022.
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