Martha Stewart Follows This Container Tradition on Her Terrace – It’s the Design Masterplan for a Perfect Summer Space
The secret to a perfectly scaled summer garden – inside Martha’s meticulous container layout at her home in Maine
As the warmth of late May settles in, many of us revive our own seasonal rituals – whether that means power-washing the patio or picking out the first flats of petunias. For Martha Stewart, the arrival of the 2026 summer season is defined by the massive container gardening project that transforms the terrace of her Maine estate.
'It’s a tradition I look forward to every year – planting all the beautiful containers up at Skylands, my home in Maine,' Stewart shared back in 2025.
Shop the Martha Stewart-Inspired Terrace Edit
Designed to nourish all types of potted plants, this versatile potting mix works well for flowers, vegetables, shrubs, annuals, and perennials, feeding them for up to six months. It's Martha's choice for a reason.
This peat-free organic soil blend is made with upcycled green waste, making it an environmentally conscious choice. Enriched with a quick-release natural fertilizer, it provides nutrient-rich feeding to help support thriving plants.
This smart-release granular plant food delivers continuous nutrition, providing 11 essential nutrients that feed plants for up to six months. Designed for versatility, it can be used with a wide range of plants including succulents on your terrace.
Crafted from 100% natural Philippine stone, this eye-catching planter brings a minimalist yet sculptural feel to any terrace or outdoor space. Each piece features its own unique shape and natural variation in color, making every planter truly one of a kind.
Perfect for displaying flowers, herbs, or succulents (the Martha way), these durable planter pots combine sturdy support with weather-resistant performance. Their versatile design makes them just as suited to patios and balconies, just as she does.
Inspired by the containers of Martha's terrace, this sculptural piece offers a versatile alternative for styling greenery. Made from durable resin, it’s designed to withstand the elements with a weatherproof, fade-resistant finish.
Martha spends every Memorial Day weekend at Skylands, marking the unofficial start of the sun-drenched months by filling these vessels.
'It is quite an undertaking, but it's become a fun tradition, especially with the group that accompanies me,' Stewart writes. 'As soon as I arrive there, I design the layout of where things will go, and we all get to work.'
To ensure the gardens are ready for June's first garden parties, planning ahead is vital. The lifestyle expert determines the placement of every specimen before they are moved to save energy. 'This year, we brought alocasias, agaves, palms, and so many more,' she adds. In addition to these focal points, she incorporates smaller ground covers and various succulent plants grown in her local greenhouse.
'The plants are carefully placed around the terrace, in or close to where they will be displayed for the season. The stone trough I bought at Trade Secrets in 2013. It has worked perfectly here at Skylands,' Stewart explains.
Following her partnership with Miracle-Gro in the 'Gro with Martha' campaign, she naturally chose their soil to fill her pots. Specifically, she used Scotts Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix (available at Amazon), which is versatile enough for various container varieties.
'And don’t forget to feed – I always say, if you eat, so should your plants,' Stewart notes. She relies on Scotts Osmocote (also at Amazon) to provide the essential nutrients needed to maintain that lush, midsummer glow.
Stewart admits her Western Terrace is 'among my favorite summer meal spots' – a perfect setting for the long, golden evenings of July. You do not need a sprawling estate to replicate this magic; with the right soil and a few favorite plants, any small balcony or porch can become a sanctuary for al-fresco dining all season long.
If you enjoy our celebrity news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?
