Happy #InternationalWomensDay! Born Martha Kostyra in 1941 to a couple of avid do-it-yourselfers, Martha learned to cook, sew, garden, and repair just about anything in her Nutley, N.J., childhood home. Tell us the biggest lesson you’ve learned from Martha in the comments below.
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
Martha has always been a passionate gardener, but nowhere is her expertise and hard work more apparent than in her own personal gardens. “Over the years, I have created and cared for at least six major gardens. I now have two: A 100-acre wood-land garden in Maine, which requires grooming, pruning, and a modicum of intense care. We focus on the cutting garden there, so I can always have beautiful blooms inside the house. In Bedford, I have 156 acres where I grow just about everything—flowers, fruits, vegetables, hay, orchids, tropical plants, woodland trees, and more. The workload is intense, but because we care for the soil, practice organic methods, and grow native plants, it thrives.” Read the game-changing gardening tips seasoned gardeners wish they knew sooner at the link in our bio. 📷: @thomasloof (1), @gab (2), @clairetakacs (3), @johndolanphotog (4 & 8), @bryangardnerphotography (5), @minh_ngoc (6), @gramitjoc/courtesy of @marthastewart48 (7)
This upside-down lemon meringue pie will be an instant family favorite! It’s easy to make and simply delicious. Get the recipe at the link in our bio.
Much like its namesake flower, the daffodil cake is a cheerful sign that warmer days are ahead. It’s a vintage recipe thought to date back to the 1930s and a clever variation on the angel food cakes that were so popular at that time. Here’s how it works: half of the batter is ethereal angel food; the other half is enriched with egg yolks and the zest and juice of an orange and a lemon. After layering both in a tube pan and baking, you pour the tart, citrusy glaze on top to create a dessert that will rouse your taste buds—and brighten any gathering. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @jacob_fox_photo
Much like its namesake flower, the daffodil cake is a cheerful sign that warmer days are ahead. It’s a vintage recipe thought to date back to the 1930s and a clever variation on the angel food cakes that were so popular at that time. Here’s how it works: half of the batter is ethereal angel food; the other half is enriched with egg yolks and the zest and juice of an orange and a lemon. After layering both in a tube pan and baking, you pour the tart, citrusy glaze on top to create a dessert that will rouse your taste buds—and brighten any gathering. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @jacob_fox_photo
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Steaming artichokes is the classic way to cook this favorite spring vegetable. It brings out the delicate, nutty-yet-sweet flavor of a fresh artichoke and means you can pluck the leaves from the heart and eat the edible flesh with your teeth—just like the French do. And while the process of prepping and steaming these green globes may seem intimidating, it’s easier than it looks. Get the recipe at the link in our bio. 📷: @grantwebsterphoto
Step into spring with this easy blender soup that showcases fresh asparagus. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients and garnished with drizzle of crème fraîche. It comes together quickly and is the perfect recipe to welcome the new season. Follow along as Martha and her mom make a chilled asparagus soup and get a similar recipe at the link in our bio.
Our Irish soda bread is so good, you’ll want to eat it year-round—not just on St. Patrick’s Day. This simple quick bread is leavened with baking soda, not yeast, which produces a light loaf that’s packed with raisins and caraway seeds. Our foolproof recipe uses basic ingredients—no need to buy buttermilk since you’ll make your own with whole milk and cider vinegar. Get the recipe at the link in our bio.
While gardening is a rewarding experience, it also has its fair share of pain points. One of the most common? Weeds. These unsightly ground covers take essential nutrients and water from nearby plants and can even block out sunlight if they grow big enough. If you don’t want to use pesticides or spend time pulling out weeds, consider an easier, more attractive alternative—weed-suppressing plants. We’ve researched 12 lush options that will prevent harmful weeds from wreaking havoc on your yard, so you can enjoy the beauty of your landscape with less maintenance. Head to the link in our bio to learn more.
