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.

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Hi Martha,

Your daffodils will be out of this world pretty soon. You will have to put some more pictures on your blog.

The minature daffodil with the Ladybug is cute, she is bringing
you "good luck" as they say...

When I get on the computer each A.M. I know it will be something interesting and delightful.

This morning, I did not know that you have Bourban Red heritage turkeys. They are very pretty. And the skunk cabbage, I have never heard of this....what is the idea of this type plant or whatever it is?

Thanks again for your blog and enjoy your weekend.

Joan Fluor, Mason, OH

[Betty Vickery]

Your Daffodils are beautiful! I live in Texas and it is aglow with spring flowers. Our daughter's lawn has already bloomed with her daffodils. Our Texas Bluebonnets are in full bloom. I really enjoy your show.

[Jim]

I live in Napa,California and when the mustard is in bloom it is so beautiful but when I see the Daffodils on Martha's Farm,they are so beautiful and I would love to see them in bloom sometime. Does anyone know if these can be seen from the roads traveled in Bedford or are these for only your own pleasure Martha? What a wonderful Gift God gives to us in the simple beauty of a flower and look how much happiness and joy it brings to you Martha. I am sure that your mother's love and Sunshine are part of the beauty that those flowers can bring you in memory and thoughts.
God Bless.....JIM

[Patricia Straub]

I have planted Daffodils for several years and each year, I expect the older ones to bloom, however, it seems when I plant them, they only bloom the following year. What am I doing wrong?

[Pat]

Martha,
I am SO jealous! We had 12 inches of snow yesterday, with another 5 inches today. I doubt that I will EVER see daffodils in Minnesota this year.......

[Pam from California]

Tell me Martha are you going to go down the slide head first? Now that would be some picture! I'd go for it, such a great slide show get it slide show -photos? I couldn't resist! Here we are supposed to hit 90 degrees for the weekend the flowers are in bloom here too but not as pretty as yours they wouldn't dare lol!

Pam from CA

[Kathy]

Enjoy the Bahamas, Martha!
Kathy

[Cathi]

Great bulbs -- we have some gorgeous ones in our garden too. There is nothing so refreshing as the yellow of daffs, forsythia, and the last touch of winter jasmine. Now comes the magnolias and tulips. I see links to a couple of bulb suppliers and want to suggest the perfect marriage of great "Dutch" bulbs and buy American spirit is found at Roozengarde Bulbs in Washington's Skagit Valley. Right now would be the time for Martha and the crew to visit to do a segment, of course, but their web site will give you an idea of the splendor at http://www.tulips.com/ For anyone in the area or headed this way, the Tulip Festival is on and this week the tulips should poke their heads out because the sun is finally warming us all! Rock on with the bulbs -- from an ardent horticulturist.

[Sarah Masciana]

What a gorgeous display of daffodils you must have coming! I'm sure that photos cannot even begin to describe how beautiful it must be!

Thanks for sharing!
Sarah

[Anthony Marinaro]

I'm in Des Moines, Iowa and mine are not up yet, but it snowed last night it that gives you any indication of what kind of weather we are dealing with! Oh well, I can wait...

[marie]

Hi Martha!
Have a question and thought you would know...I am looking for a scone cutter. Thought I'd try making some scone but can not find a cutter anywhere. Do you have any ideas as to where I should look? The web has been no help.
Thanks
Marie

[bpfster]

The daffodils are gorgeous and give me great hope that spring is on the way. Even though tonight we are expecting snow flurries here.

[Jackie Lamothe]

I hope you are having a terrific time at Atlantis; can't wait to see your photos of the weekend. You looked just magnificent in the coral sweater on Friday's show.
Thank you so much for the laughs from you bloopers tape. It's wonderful to see you cracking up.

[Becky Whorton]

Hi Martha,
Love the pictures of your daffodils; those are flowers I always associated with spring & Easter when I was growing up in Alabama. As an adult I moved to the New Orleans area & was so disappointed that bulbs I brought from home would only bloom one time here, since we don't really have a winter & haven't had a freeze in years. It's so nice to see pictures. Thanks.
Also when I read your blog I can hear your voice in my mind, so it's like you are having a personal conversation with the readers.
becky

[Dianne]

Dear Martha,
I really love your blog! Thanks for all the interesting and varied posts. The daffodils are so cheerful, aren't they? You sure have a lot of them to admire.

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
As Joan Fluor has said, the skunk cabbages are quite interesting plants. I'm happy to see this first wildflower---really a perennial herb---every spring. My father used to tell me stories of how the native Indians used this plant ground up to stop bleeding. He also told me, though, that it is poisonous.
Recently I have enjoyed watching the honeybees gathering pollen from the plants near my house. I have seen them inside the leaves during a cold snap.
Your photos are wonderful, Martha.
Kathy

[Maureen]

I think I will download your pic of the ladybug on the bright yellow daffodils and make it my screen saver.
Such a cheerful picture!

[Ginger Green]

I have always loved daffodils, When I was 10 or so, I had a friend born on April 2nd in Chicago. She had a daffodil party - and I recieved a daffodil as a favor. Her mother even made daffodil invitations out of construction paper 50 years ago.
Alas, my Texas daffodils have bloomed months ago (late January) and all I have left are the long green stems that I are looking more shaggy everyday.
Yours will be beautiful, Martha.

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Martha, After I made a comment on the skunk cabbage, such as "what is it"?

I went in on the internet and found alot of amazing info on this plant. Also, I appreciate info from Kathy

Thanks Kathy...

Joan Fluor, Mason, OH

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
The pictures are so beautiful and I really loved the one of the wild tom and hen. The wild turkeys are a lot smarter than their domesticated cousins and I would love to be able to see them with their young poults.
I am reminded of my Granny's front walk when I see your jonquils. She had two solid rows on each side of the walk and then the bulbs had spread out into the yard and each spring it was like a sea of yellow and white and green. I would pick arm loads to put in vases for the table and I would put a large bouquet of the jonquils on her bedroom dresser.(It always got me the breast at Sunday fried chicken dinner.)
I hope you will let us see your sea of yellow and green when they are in full bloom.
Linda Gail

[Samara]

Lovely as always!

[Debbie]

Martha, Your daffodils are wonderful as always. I wish I could show a photo of a vase I use for my daffodils and tulips that I got from my Mother after she past last year. I had never seen any vase like it. It is amber and has an insert that hold each stem on the outside and in the center. The flowers look lovely in the vase. I don't know the name of this type of vase.

[Jaana]

Hi Martha
also here in Stockholm, Sweden daffodils are blooming, I enjoy a lot seeing all spring photos and of course photos of animals. I like to watch your program on TV, even here in Sweden are you on, but not in right season, today on TV it was 5 days to X-mas.

[Frank]

Daffodils are one of the great hallmarks of spring.

[Keith Niles]

Hi Martha, and Greetings from Fairbanks Alaska. I was looking around on your site for some beautiful pictures from your gardens for use as desktop pictures on my IMac and found them here. Any collections of photos, especially in "landscape" layout anywhere else on your site?

BTW: Have loved your show(s) for years, its such a good thing to feel like I have learned something useful after spending any time watching television. You and your staff should be commended for providing some very intelligent and useful programing to the airwaves.

Thank You,
Keith

[Emily]

Beautiful Photos, Martha. Spring bulbs are among my favorite flowers. They are a sign of new life and that warmer days are close by!

[Cheri Hulke]

Thank you, Martha, for sharing these personal things on your blog. My 3 daughters (who live in NC) and I (I live in Orlando, FL) have enjoyed your magazine (and your show) for years. We love to have "Martha Stewart" conversations...and share new ideas we each have seen/read and/or tried. I personally love all the good you have done and are doing....for our environment, for animals, etc. Thanks again!
Cheri

[Dolly from Maine]

I am watching your show right now. I am crying because of Chow Chow, It is so sad. We have 3 goldens retrivers and i had to go and hug them all. You will be in my thoughts.
Love Dolly

[Chuck B.]

Hello Martha,

As I tuned into your Apr. 16th show you were discussing your beloved pet Paw Paw and the wonderful memories he brought you. Pets are probably the best friends we can have as human beings. They are constant, loyal and forever loving creatures. I'm sorry your loss of Paw Paw and I know you must miss hum dearly. Best to you,

Chuck B.

[Lucas Witherspoon]

Martha,

You're a genius. Up until the time I started reading your blog, I also didn't realize that you have a great sense of humor as well, but I find myself constantly laughing while reading your blog.

I love it. Keep it up.

- Lucas

[Alorinna]

These pictures are great, thanks so much for sharing them!

[c seeger]

paw paw was a beautiful chow and you were very lucky to have him as long as you did. it is so hard to let go of a old friend. I hope you are blessed with sweet memories and smile when you think of him often.
hugs carolyn

[Danette Alberts]

Martha, what is the difference between jonquils & daffodils? I was raised in Tulsa OK, and my grandmother always called these jonquils. You have my deepest sympathy on PawPaw's passing. Pets are truly members of the family, and I know you will miss him so. Thanks for sharing your precious dog with us all these years;he was such a gentle giant.

[Maria Ceciliav]

Hi:
Thank you so much for the Every Day Cooking Book. I was the one who jumped ahead of time for a prize in your studio show.
We had the most magnificent time!!!
I have the luck of doble dadofoils in my garden in Connecticut.
Thank you

[Sandra White]

Martha:
I just want to express my condolences to you on the loss of your Paw Paw. Thanks for sharing pictures of his last day with us. God bless!

[G. Zimmermann]

I am so very sorry about your loss of Paw Paw. The picture diary about his last days was heart-warming. Jameson Parker once wrote a wonderful eulogy to his dog. Look for it online. It sums up emotions brilliantly.
Take care and keep up the wonderful garden & grounds...for Paw Paw's sake if not for your own!

[Jacquelyn Phillips]

Martha-

I planted some daffodil bulbs last fall and although they did come up, they did not bloom. is this common for thefirst year?

Jacquelyn

[Stacey G.]

Those daffodils look really gorgeous, especially with the crisp pictures taken of them. What camera do you use? Nikon?

I'm contemplating planting a new garden for my house; to make it nicer for my father, make him happier. Those daffodils would look absolutely perfect here.

[Andy Jones]

Martha
We were deeply sad to hear of Paw Paw's passing. We too lost our Carin Terrior, Mr. Hobbes just 5 months ago. He was 16 years old. Our thoughts are with you. May your many years of splender with your beautiful Paw Paw keep you at peace.

[Cindy from Fresno Ca.]

Hi Martha, I have a question and I'm not sure if this is the correct site to ask it.
Here goes. I have invested in some beautiful artificial flowers and branches that I use mostly around the Holidays. I have a collection of georgeous Poinsettias. My problem is that I'm not sure how to store them. They are very large with long stems. I was thinking of getting some storage bins and storing them in my attic but it gets very hot up there in the summer and I'm afraid the flowers would be ruined. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Cindy

[Jim Schnobrich]

Spring is here!