Check out the BMGC tour of Martha Stewart's Cantitoe Corners Farm!

From Briarcliff to Katonah, The Briarcliff Manor Garden Club made a 25-minute journey to Martha Stewart's Cantitoe Corner Farm. We chose the scenic Rt.100 to Rt. 35 approach, preferring scenic lakes and farms to the Saw Mill River Parkway commuter madness.

Upon arrival, we were immediately serenaded by a rooster, who splendidly and most flamboyantly crowed his welcoming proclamation that the tour was about to begin. 

At the very start of the tour, I introduced myself, as a "Pleasantville/Briarcliff Manor Patch Gardening Blogger”, asking permission to photograph and blog the entire tour for my 'Patch" blog site “The Briar Patch”. The Martha Stewart staff tour guides emphatically said "OF COURSE"!! They actually had friendly Ron Palacio, their social media content director & photographer snapping pictures of us the entire tour, implying that he “may” use it for Martha's upcoming blog! Also in attendance was Laura, Martha's sister, Ryan McCallister, landscape designer and gardener, and a young lady with a blond pony tail, who I didn't catch her name--but she was very very nice!.  

Now, imagine a place, not too unlike “Anne of Green Gables” country:  farmland, green grass, lush gardens, farm fences, the sound of horses trotting and all the while, you are inhaling air so sweet, you could weep.  The scent of linden trees, lilacs, dirt roads, hay and freshly mowed grass all creating an inviting one of a kind experience.  I closed my eyes and heard the birds singing and singing—not  too unlike the ones who sing for me, each morning at my house.

Martha Stewart’s Cantitoe Corners Farm is comprised of several homes, barns, an extensive vegetable and cutting gardens, two magnificent glass greenhouses and an impeccably clean stable complex which houses beautiful Canadian-bred Friesian horses.  There is also a barn for 3 miniature, adorable Sicilian donkeys (Rufus, Clive and little Billie, her only donk who willingly dons a fly mask).  

Nearby there are chicken coops that accommodate a rooster, 150 hens and a dozen guineafowl (who provide a weekly yield of hundreds of fresh delicious, organic eggs).  And last but not least, Martha’s beloved and most lovable canine trio: G. K. (Ghenghis Khan), a Westminster Kennel Club "Best of Breed" champion Chow Chow and his two French Bulldog sidekicks, the famous online bloggers : Francesca and Sharky. (Shhh, the pups were my favorite part of the tour!!!)

Complimenting the beauty and practicality of a true farm, Cantitoe Corners Farm embraces an eco-friendly approach to their operations.  Engaging in daily recycling and composting, the farm has five building-high compost structures, fondly called “sweet peat”, discreetly hidden from view.

Of course, no adventure would be complete without a little suspense.  As I pulled up to Martha's mailbox I discovered my car had a flat tire.  AAA came to the rescue at the end of our tour of Martha's farm.  Service with a smile, after fixing my flat, AAA mechanic Bob  personally escorted us to Richard Gere's restaurant, The Bedford Post Inn, for the luncheon our club had scheduled.  And the saga continued... when leaving to return back to Briarcliff, we inadvertently left behind Terry Marchica, our Garden Club President!  We thought she was in one of our cars!  Being left behind, she had to find a ride back to Briarcliff! 

Whatta wild and fun day!!!  

Who knew Westchester was full of such excitement?

 ~Sue