The Source: Gardening Stuff à la Martha
A highly shoppable installment of Garden 2024 and an ode of sorts.
In a recent newsletter I referred to Lloyd Kahn, octogenarian former shelter editor of Whole Earth Catalog (and subsidiaries) and founder of Shelter Publications, as something like a patron saint to this newsletter. I’ve also made many references to people like Helen and Scott Nearing and Enzo Mari. And yet, people—and so, their newsletters, too—aren’t always tightly constructed aesthetic fortresses and, at times, a breach may occur. Because amid all these delightfully anti-capitalist roller-uppers-of-sleeves, there’s a person, decidedly capitalist, who I still deeply admire, have for a very long time, and whose influence I’m sure is felt throughout. It’s Martha, of course.
I do love Martha. She started her business at 50 years old; she was the first self-made female billionaire. She’s a damn shark—and she built the whole thing by being so relentlessly and unapologetically herself. She’ll go on and on about grout. She runs a farm and her business at the same time. She hand-painted the entryway at Turkey Hill. (Honestly, what’s more Treehouse than this photo?) I couldn’t help it and got myself a Masterclass trial to watch hers. At the end of the video she buys a sawmill trailer so she can learn to mill her own lumber. I mean.
The Connecticut perfectionism I could do without, but man, talk about rolling up one’s sleeves!
And so, for our next installment of both The Source and Garden 2024, I’m looking to Martha for some garden style inspiration. (The best I can do right now thanks to a stunning lil April Nor’Easter that landed on Maine yesterday [hence: newsletter a day late, no school yesterday]).
OK, here we go!
“Alice’s Kitchen Basket,” by Permanent Collection. permanentcollection.com
Denim Shortall in Indigo Blue by Liberty (not that one). libertybibs.com
Swedish Steel Basket by Korbo, available at Canoe. canoe.design
French Side Hair Combs in Tortoise at France Luxe. franceluxe.com
Twine stand and cutter by Bishop, available at Canoe. canoe.design
Very extra (à la Martha) over-table trellis by Terrain. shopterrain.com
Even though it looks like she’s wearing the garden clogs everyone wears, I’m linking to these because I am deeply contrary: Garden Clogs by Le Chameau. lechameau.com
To be worn with Cotton Ragg Socks by Redwing. redwingshoes.com
Breton striped shirt by Armor Lux. armorlux.com
Jute twine by Nutscene. nutscene.com
Cable knit fisherman sweater by Shaina Mote. shainamote.com
French rain boots by Aigle. aigle.com
Dutch hand rake by Sneeboer, available at Terrain. shopterrain.com
Terracotta egg holder by Kikkerland, available at Hawkins New York. hawkinsnewyork.com
Customizable storage container by Toyo, available at Not Another Bill. notanotherbill.com
Meadow Hat by Brookes Boswell. shopboswell.us
French-made bypass pruner with leather handle and holster by Garrett Wade. garrettwade.com
AND French galvanized baskets, also Garrett Wade. garrettwade.com
Vintage garden trug, available at Charish. chairish.com
Hemp Jung tee in Coyote by Jungmaven. jungmaven.com
Heavy duty bramble gloves by Garrett Wade. garrettwade.com
Braided leather belt in Brick by Lindquist. lindquist-object.com
125 anniversary edition Bag Balm! bagbalm.com
Traditional watering can by Haws, available at Objects of Use. objectsofuse.com
I’m ready to embrace garden ornaments! Terracotta orbs by Garden Heir. gardenheir.com
The finale: The pleated khakis. IMO contemporary khakis are not nearly bold enough in their pleats. Alex Mill comes the closes with the Keaton Double Pleat Pant in Putty. alexmill.com
Guys, I think it stopped snowing.
