Martha Stewart Gardening
Welcome, Friends
Martha Stewart Gardening
Where To Find Martha
GOOD THINGS for the GARDEN
SPRING
SPRING AT MARTHA’S • There may still be a nip in the air, but things are growing on the farm. Martha and her gardeners are sowing flower and vegetable seeds, and planting season is underway.
HOW TO PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN • There are lots of great reasons to grow your own food, but we’ll stick to our favorites: You know exactly where it comes from. By working the soil organically, you help the environment. And of course, vegetables taste infinitely better when you cultivate them yourself. (Maybe unabashed pride adds extra flavor?) It’s also fun, relaxing, and—pun intended—grounding. So, whether you have a big plot or just a few pots, read on, and get ready to roll up your sleeves.
LESSONS from a Masterpiece • Visiting GREAT DIXTER is like stepping into a living, breathing master class on English horticulture. The legendary garden is famed for its vibrant borders, whimsical topiaries, and vast, prolific potager. Meet the passionate expert who has grown produce to cook and share with students and colleagues for more than a decade. His advice is timeless and tested, and applies to properties—and even pots—of any size.
In Living COLOR • When a mole-cricket invasion forced Martha to relocate her vegetable plot a decade ago, she began filling the space with breathtaking perennial flowers. Today, the landscape bursts in continuous waves of vibrant blooms from spring through fall. Step inside for a top-of-the-season tour.
The Dirt on Soil • It is the life force of any landscape. It grounds and nourishes plants, and fends off pests and disease. Before you plunge seed or sapling into your soil, consider its health. To get—and keep—yours in top condition, we asked Elaine Ingham, Ph.D., a global expert and founder of the Soil Food Web School, for the scoop.
SUMMER
SUMMER AT MARTHA’S
THE ECO-WISE WAY • The smell of grass, the trill of chirping birds, the coolness of a tree’s shade, the scrunch of earth underfoot…your outdoor space is a natural wonder. How you care for it matters to it—and the world outside your fence. Learn how to help your yard thrive and go truly, vibrantly green.
A GARDEN for ALL FIVE SENSES • IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, ONE FAMILY’S OUTDOOR SPACE BRIMS AND BUBBLES WITH NATURAL ATTRACTIONS THAT YOU CAN SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TOUCH, AND TASTE. WANDER FREELY THROUGH THESE PAGES TO TAKE IT ALL IN.
HOW TO CREATE A SENSORY GARDEN
A Fine Example • Built in 1913 as a private estate just outside of Philadelphia, CHANTICLEER is a charming 35-acre public “demonstration” garden today. Stroll the grounds to see where an old clay tennis court has given way to plants and flower beds and learn how a team of horticulturists creates enchanting spaces to inspire your own.
Pick & Savor A FOOLPROOF GUIDE TO PICKLING & PRESERVING • You worked hard to plan, plot, plant—and weed!—that vegetable garden. But come harvest time, there’s often more produce than you can eat before it turns (another slice of zucchini bread, anyone?). Preserve your bounty with our easy recipes for pickles, jams, and jellies. They’re every bit as delicious as old-fashioned state-fair winners, but we’ve simplified the steps (and skipped the gadgetry). They’ll keep in the fridge or freezer for months, so that you can enjoy a taste of the garden year-round.
AUTUMN
FALL AT MARTHA’S • As autumn rolls in, there’s a bumper-crop of fresh vegetables to pick and eat (or preserve) and the dahlias are in full bloom. Once the weather cools, it’s time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and new trees before the first frost, and prep for winter.
Dream A LITTLE DREAM • When Terre Blair decided to downsize,...
