Martha Stewart’s garden is a masterclass in planting design and maximizing flowering time, say experts

Martha Stewart's home in Bedford, NY, has been majorly inspiring us for quite some time, and this Spring, there's another aspirational space to add to the mood board: Martha's Garden. It's absolutely beautiful and packed to the brim with daffodils.

But her garden design wasn't always so lush. In fact, when Martha purchased her 153-acre Bedford property in 2000, the outdoor space was nearly empty, as reported by the Martha Stewart Blog. Now, however, early planting photos of Martha's flower beds reveal the method she used to achieve the current, bustling floral state of the space. 

So, if you dream of a Martha-worthy garden, you're in luck. Homes & Gardens' own expert gardening editor, Thom Rutter, analyzed Martha's method for planning a garden and is here to explain exactly what she did right and how to recreate the look at your own home.

'Martha Stewart’s flower borders are a masterclass in planting design,' says Thom. He continues, 'When the daffodils are in bloom, the borders appear natural, as if planted in drifts, yet there is a serious amount of thought and planning needed to achieve this look.' 

First, Thom lauds Martha's choice of plant. He states, 'Admired by many, daffodils are surely the spring bulbs to have in your backyard, and with a small amount of planning, you can enjoy daffodil blooms from late March through to May, just like Martha Stewart.'

Thom Rutter

Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has been working as a gardener and garden writer for several years. Whilst completing his Horticultural Traineeship at the Garden Museum, London, he was able to gain experience at many of the UK's world-famous gardens, including Sissinghurst, Lowther Castle, and Iford Manor. Following this, he worked for two private estates in Tuscany, Italy.

Next, Thom asserts that the beauty of Martha's garden comes down to her extensive planning.  'The ‘map’ approach that Martha Stewart uses is helpful, even if you have a smaller outside space, ' says Thom. 

He continues: 'When planting dozens or even hundreds of bulbs in your backyard, you can maximize flowering time by selecting different varieties of daffodils and planting them in small groups. In doing so, you can ensure that you have blooms that will take you through the spring months and into summer.'

'For example, Narcissus ‘Actaea’ is a stunning white daffodil with a bright orange center, flowering in April and May. Narcissus ‘Jonquil,’ however, has the traditional golden yellow coloring and is an early bloomer in late February and March. Selecting different varieties with different flowering times, as Martha Stewart does, will help to add interest and longevity to your garden borders,' he finishes.

From the planning to the bloom stage, planting bulbs is a labor of love. With Martha Stewart's expert method, you can ensure the look is extra bright.