3.25.2024

Martha Stewart Gardening: A New Special Issue!

It seems the print gods have heard our prayers! A new, special-issue Martha Stewart print publication is now on newsstands, and available to order through Amazon. Martha Stewart Gardening is a lush, 100-page magazine that takes readers through the four seasons with tips and techniques (and inspiration) for anyone inclined to grow something, whether it's flowers, trees, vegetables or houseplants. 

The magazine will only be available between March 22 and June 21, so be sure to get your copy! As Martha says in her introductory letter to readers, "It's a keeper!"

The magazine was published by Dotdash Meredith, the company that once held ownership of Martha Stewart Living magazine, which sadly folded in May of 2022. This is the first Martha Stewart branded print publication readers have seen at the newsstand since. But there are encouraging signs that it won't be the last. 

The editorial team was comprised of some Martha Stewart Living alumni, including its last editor-in-chief, Elizabeth Graves who spearheaded the project with Martha, and publication designer James Maikowski, who also once worked on the design direction of Living. Other familiar names in the masthead include Ryan Mesina (former photo director of Living), Meesha Haddad (former managing editor of Living) Kevin Sharkey (former decorating editor of Living) and Thomas Joseph (former food editor of Living), all of whom contributed to this issue. Many of these names, including Thomas, Kevin and Ryan, still work with Martha's brand at Marquee, but it was nice to see Elizabeth, Meesha and James returning to the fold for this project.

The magazine continues the legacy of quality print content, photography and ingenuity that Living was always known for. A Smart Code on Martha's introduction letter, for instance, leads readers to a digital source where they can determine their new hardiness zones, then apply the growing advice from the articles to their zone and learn about what plants are native to their area. Very smart! 

There's a glorious photo essay by photographer Claire Takacs on Great Dixter, the legendary English garden renowned for some of its ingenious plantings and its spectacular design. The editors of Living never had a chance to print this story, so it's wonderful that it is finally finding its place on these pages. Martha's cutting garden at Bedford is explored in-depth, as is one of America's most beloved gardens, Chanticleer, an historic 1913 estate just outside Philadelphia. There are tips for growing an eco-friendly garden, how to grow vegetables anywhere, how to prepare a garden for winter and how to grow some of the most interesting houseplants. 

Foodies weren't left out either! They will find the article on pickling and preserving very interesting with its glossary of Crisp & Tangy pickles and Smooth & Sweet jellies.

Readers have already been expressing such delight in having a print publication to leaf through again. There is simply nothing that can replace the tactile comfort of turning a page. We look forward to more of these issues! Click here to read more about it.

I happened to be out and about when I learned of the new issue via Martha's Instagram page. A five minute walk to my local bookstore meant I had it in hand within moments of it being placed on the shelf!

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