Daffodils on my farm

UPDATE: Some have asked about where my Daffodil bulbs came from, here are the links:

www.BrentandBeckysbulbs.com

www.Dutchbulbs.com

On my television show on Thursday, I mentioned that my daffodils are beginning to burst open and I thought it would be fun to show you some beginnings of, what promises to be, a magnificent display.  I hope you enjoy some more signs of spring from my farm.

I always wanted a major swath of daffodils and finally, I have it!  This bed runs the length of one side of my property.  Just a few more days to go…

Here are some buds ready to pop.

A lovely two-toned daffodil

And another

A ladybug seems to be enjoying this miniature daffodil.

Francesca takes some time to admire this cluster.  But where’s Sharkey?

Sharkey is acting tough, once again, with the donkeys.  Rufus, Clive, and Billy look amused by her playful fierceness.

Here is a grove of skunk cabbage that enjoys its wetland habitat.  It’s uncanny how much it really smells like skunk.  But, look at that spray of yellow next to the water.

This cluster of daffodils has naturalized in the woods and is quite happy growing beside the little stream.  I wonder just how many years it’s been sprouting there.

After taking that last photo, a pair of wild turkeys ran across the path.  I suppose it won’t be long before they’re followed by a brood of young ones.

This is a pair of my Bourbon Red heritage turkeys.  I don’t think they would last too long in the wild.

SOME MORE INFORMATION ON DAFFODILS

For many gardeners, daffodils and narcissus are true harbingers of spring, but what exactly is the difference between them?  It’s a classic question, and the simple answer is that all daffodils are narcissus and vice versa.  Narcissus is the name of this very large genus, and daffodil is the less formal but perfectly acceptable nickname.  Within this genus, there are many thousands of options to choose from.  Daffodils grow nicely in flowerbeds, borders, and cutting gardens, and they naturalize, or adapt and spread beautifully in woodlands.  If you’ve been admiring lovely drifts of these flowers in other gardens, and want to plant some in your own, here are some things to consider about daffodils.

Although planting season for daffodils is the fall, spring is the perfect time to begin shopping for daffodil bulbs.  In fact, mail-order nurseries begin sending their fall catalogs in the spring.  Be aware, however, that there are differences in bulb sellers.  To avoid disappointment, you’re better off splurging on top-quality bulbs from top-quality companies.  And stay away from bulb catalogs that don’t list growing zones.  Daffodils are easy to grow only if the correct varieties are planted in the correct zones.  Choose your daffodil bulbs carefully, and order them early, because early orders generally get the pick of the crop.   

 

Comments

[Emily A]

Hi Martha!

Beautiful, and, at times, hilarious photos (I especially enjoyed Sharkey with the donkeys!)

Thanks!
Emily

[Brian Utz Jr.]

Greetings Martha!

Your daffodils are gorgeous and impressive! I especially love the first shot of the buds just waiting to pop open and awe anybody that passes by that magnificent spread of daffodils!!

Your blogs are wonderful!!

Warm Regards,

Brian

[Barbara Aine]

Truly beautiful to see these wonderful signs of Spring arriving at your house in Bedford!! Daffodils are so beautiful and, I think, some of the happiest Spring bloomers in our gardens. Please do show us when they all are open and nodding their lovely heads!! Many thanks for sharing! (I am on line now ordering my fall supply of daffies! ;}
Happy Spring! Barbara

[karen]

wow martha, beautiful daffodils, I'm very jealous as we are just heading into winter in Australia!

[Jenny]

Although I now live in Arizona I vividly remember one of my favorite spring past-times in Ohio.... hiking in the woods in the spring after a long dreary winter and discovering old farm foundations surrounded by beautiful rectangles of glowing daffodils ... an amazing and poignant sight. Enjoy your show.... and thanks for sharing.

[Robin]

Daffodils are always a happy site in spring. Like little burst of sunshine. Mine are not as open as yours are right now. I loved the photo of the wild turkey. I hope you can capture a photo of them with their young ones. Thank you for sharing these pieces of your life with us.

[cookiejar]

Hi Martha!

Wow, I love these photos. The closed daffodils look like a lovely sea of yellow-tipped grass and I love the pics of Sharkey and Francesca!! So gorgeous. It just looks so lush and it must be lovely to enjoy watching the garden spring into color. Like Karen, I too am in Australia where we're heading into the cooler months so it is lovely to see the sping blooms as many of our flowers are taking their autumn/winter naps now!

Lovely as always to read your blog, thanks for sharing.
Warm regards

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Your daffodils are gorgeous! Thanks for letting us see your photos showing these spring wonders around your farm. Mine are not ready to bloom yet. Francesca and Sharkey as well as Rufus, Clive, and Billy seem to be having a wonderful time.
Kathy

[PAULINE MUCCIACCIO]

Hi Martha,
Enjoyed looking at the photos of spring taking place on your farm.
The Daffodils are the only flower I can grow without being eaten so far by the deer & other woodland critters. Once in awhile I get a smell of skunk, thinking one is around, but according to your post & picture I may have patch of skunk cabbage growing. Will have to go explore the woodlands to see if I have that plant, hope I don't run into a real skunk!
Best,
Pauline Mucciaccio

[EJ]

Love your blog and love the pictures of daffodils! I am in the process of buying my first home so no garden for me (yet). But, I should be in by fall. Which mail order nurseries do you recommend for daffodils?

[KellySchwark.com]

Athough we, here in the Farmington River Valley of Connecticut, are just a an hour and a half north-east from Westchester, it seems that my daffodils are still sleeping. They are just begining to borrow their way through the soil!

This is only our second spring here, and I'm planning on taking detailed notes and photographs of what pops up on our property. As an artist, I've been itching to spread a little more color and texture all over our home- inside AND out! Thank you Martha for providing another post of inspiration!

Kelly

[Allison]

Beautiful Martha!
I was in central park this past weekend and they are in full bloom there too! Spring has sprung!

[Desiree']

Martha,
It was lovely to wake up this morning and see pictures of your beautiful daffodils! Mine have just bloomed in my backyard and it is always a thrilling first sign up spring. It is such a treat to observe all that goes in your life, Martha! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[Mo Barger]

I love the flowers! That expanse will look so great once they start blooming in full force! Spring has not progressed that far here in the Southern Tier region of NY. We only have just crocus and snow drops, and my daffodils are only 3-4" above the ground.

I have pictures here of them and my turkeys.

http://www.roosterhillfarm.com/journal/archives/2008/04/signs_of_spring.html

[Elaine]

As always, your photos are great! I have never heard of 'skunk cabbage.' The photo of them beside the creekbed is lovely; however, I don't think I would want to get too close to them! Thank you for sharing!

[Julie Phillips]

The daffodils are beautiful, it makes a person feel springy and happy. And the Bourbon Red turkeys are gorgeous! I love to see the animal photos.

Julie

[Margie]

Thanks for clearing up the confusion regarding narcissus & daffodils. Back when your magazine was new and I was a new gardner I "wanted" to be what was in the magazine regarding spring bulbs. NOW I plant waves of spring bulbs only to be followed by a busy raccoon. ?? if it is the fertilizer or the bulbs he (they) are after.
Enjoy your created beauty.

[Trent]

Martha
Your Daffodils are beautiful. My mother has tons of Daffodils blooming in her front garden. My brother and I planted them years ago and they get more beautiful each year. Enjoy this beautiful spring, love the blog.
Peace, Trent

[Michaele]

What a beautiful site! Thank you! Our late snowfall (we had two inches fall just last week) has taken its toll on my daffys and I have one single measly little beauty almost ready to bloom.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What an appropriate blog for today! It is finally starting to warm up here in the Puget Sound area with temperatures in the 60's & 70's expected this weekend. Now the tulips and daffodils can finally open up in the Skagit Valley for everyone to enjoy. Your photos are absolutely spectacular and I can't wait to see your daffodils in full bloom. That Sharkey is something else! Perhaps she was a border collie in her previous life! Thanks so much for this beautiful taste of spring. Have a great weekend. Jan

[Trish]

How many miles is the length of that side of the property? I can't wait to see all the daffodils when they open up! You must have a million bulbs there!

Great show today and I hope you have a fun weekend in the Bahamas. I won't tell anyone that you plan to ride the giant slide! You are brave for sure! I would not ride it. Chicken Trish

[Kathy]

Thanks for the information about bulb sources, Martha.
Enjoy Bermuda!
Kathy

[ShopLittleGifts]

The daffodils are so beautiful. I hope Martha has a segment on them again when they are in full bloom. Something about yellow flowers, whether they be daffodils or turlips or peonies that explodes with the vibrancy and joy of spring.

[JoAnn]

Martha, I loved your pictures of the daffies. My miniatures are blooming now & the bigger ones are getting ready here in zone 5 of Western Pa. I love your blogs, they are keeping me informed of what's going on with the show since I can't get it on any of my channels anymore. I miss your show so much. Happy Spring, JoAnn

[Wendy]

Your daffodils look wonderful. I can imagine it being quite breathtaking to see everything in its entirety.

I have a friend whose mum lives on a farm and they had donkeys. They are such gentle and friendly creatures. One of my favourite things to do in the summer is go to the farm with her to visit her mum, see the donkeys and just enjoy being at the farm.

Despite the fact that I've moved from Canada to Sweden, I'm happy that they are airing the Martha Show here in Sweden. I've been watching your shows since I was 14 (my friends used to tease me), not gonna let something like moving to another continent stop me from seeing what great new ideas you and your staff come up with.