A Year at Clove Brook Farm: Gardening, Tending Flocks, Keeping Bees, Collecting Antiques, and Entertaining Friends

by Christopher Spitzmiller, Martha Stewart (Foreword)

Welcome to a year of sustainable living with renowned ceramicist Christopher Spitzmiller, with advice and inspiration for seasonal entertaining, gardening, tending heritage chickens, and more.

Christopher Spitzmiller is known to his many friends and Instagram fans as the ultimate weekend farmer, who raises his own chicks, grows his own flowers, and puts up his own jam, cider, and honey. In his first book, he treats readers to a full year at his country retreat, Clove Brook Farm. Organized into four sections by season, the book begins with spring: the lilacs and appleblossoms, the dovecote with Indian fantail pigeons, Easter lunch, with daffodils and porcelain, and Spitzmiller's recipe for rhubarb pie. Summer brings hydrangeas, dahlias, readying the chickens for the Dutchess County Fair, and a garden cocktail party. Fall focuses on collecting, cider making, an orchard luncheon and a Thanksgiving table, honey-gathering, and planting bulbs. Winter closes the book with holiday decorating, gilding allium, a holiday buffet, and homemade gifts.

Filled with tips on creating beautiful seasonal flower arrangements, living with animals, and garden planning, this is a wonderful resource and gift for anyone longing for farmstead living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design, Gardening, Design

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Deborah Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new season and a new book I love! A Year at Clove Brook Farm by Christopher Spitzmiller https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM48TCyn...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! Christopher Spitzmiller shares his gardens, home, recipes and knowledge with readers in a very generous way. He and his partner have open days at Clove Brook Farm throughout the year for garden tours too. It is so lovely and peaceful. Highly recommend this book.

[Mbgale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully photographed book of all the seasons at Clove Brook Farm, the author's country retreat in New York. He has renovated this farm and has chickens, doves, dogs, geese, honey bees, flowers, gardens, an apple orchard, and a beautifully decorated home. He describes month by month how he manages his farm, much like Martha Stewart, who wrote the foreword. I enjoyed reading through this book and admiring the author's energy. There are recipes, ideas for gifts, and decorating. A enjoyed reading through the book and admiring all the photos.

[Nancy Clum Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful through and through! This home and it’s surrounding are lovely and I stole some ideas for my humble home.

[Devinee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right book, right time. I checked this out from the library on a whim last Christmas, and ended up finally reading it in the spring time. Reading about an incredible garden and property while my own gardening hobby began was very fun.
Organized by season, this ends in the winter, and it didn’t feel right reading about Christmas and the early months of the year back in the summer time. I’m glad I waited to finish it, and I know this is one I need to own!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book filled with fabulous pictures of this beautiful farm. Plenty of information provided about the flowers he grows, the way he decorates, how he manages this bountiful property.

However, I admit I read this for one reason, the chocolate chip cookie recipe. It is a WINNER!

[LYNN B. NEAGLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Spitzmiller's home, gardens, animals and tablescapes are inspiring and his advice is practical and down to earth. Divided into four seasons, I have referred back to this book many times over the last two years.

[Christine55416 · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely. an enjoyable escape, completely unattainable for me, but delightful to look at and beautiful to aspire to.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has a beautiful home.

[Kayley Martin]

What a delightful place that Christopher Spitzmiller has created. He is creative and thoughtful in all his endeavors. I would love to meet him in person and visit his farm.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty photos.