Live Out Your Ultimate 'Martha Girl Summer' with These 10 Gardencore Activities

It’s growing season, so it makes sense that gardencore would enjoy a moment in the sun. While the cottagecore aesthetic promotes a similar mindset, this garden-based lifestyle trades curated details for something more grounded and homegrown—think less lace and more chickens in the yard.

And who better to look to for inspiration than Martha Stewart? If you’ve ever scrolled through her gardening content and thought, “I want that life,” this is your starting point (no grand estate required). From DIY harvest baskets to herbal teas, these 10 simple, satisfying gardencore activities can make your days feel more intentional and connected to nature.

1. Cut Garden-Grown Flowers for a Bouquet

If you're growing your own blooms (or just grabbing a few bunches from Trader Joe’s), using those stems for a bouquet is one of the most satisfying and easy ways to bring a little gardencore magic indoors. You don’t need a formal background in floral arranging—just experiment with height, color, and texture. Have fun piecing together loose, seasonal arrangements in mason jars or vintage pitchers. Add herbs like rosemary or mint for a bonus fragrance and to incorporate more of your garden.

2. Press Flower Cuttings Into Art

Joanna Gaines has taken after Martha Stewart lately with this hobby, dedicating an entire section at the Silos to flower pressing. It’s a slow, meaningful way to preserve your garden’s beauty for years to come. All you need is a heavy book, parchment paper, and a little patience. Once dried and flat, your pressed flowers can be used in homemade cards, framed botanical art, or even candles and soaps.

3. Make a Harvesting Basket or Tote

Skip the mass-produced baskets and make your own harvesting tote or trug with natural materials. A repurposed wooden crate can serve as your base, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can try your hand at simple basket weaving using pliable branches or reeds. Line whatever you make with burlap or linen to keep it breathable. Not only is a homemade basket cute, it’s useful for gathering herbs, flowers, or veggies straight from your garden beds.

4. Tend to a Chicken Coop

Even a small flock of hens can bring a huge amount of enjoyment (and fresh eggs) to your homestead life. Just make sure you adjust your expectations accordingly and learn about everything that comes with a coop before you make the investment. Tending to chickens means daily routines: feeding, watering, checking for eggs, and keeping the coop clean. Of all gardencore activities on this list, it’s likely the biggest time commitment—but one that pays off in a major way.

5. Make Farm-to-Fork Recipes

The most Martha move of all? Turning your garden harvest into a meal made with love. Whether you’re slicing up homegrown tomatoes for a caprese salad or baking zucchini muffins, cooking with what you grow (or buy locally) makes your dish feel like something you cultivated, not just cooked. Start small with herbs or seasonal produce and work your way toward full dishes as your garden grows.

6. Host a Garden Party

Gardencore isn’t just about solitary time with the soil (though that’s a main perk). It’s also about creating moments to enjoy what you’ve grown with others. A garden party doesn’t have to be formal—string up some lights, lay out a few quilts, and let your fresh flowers and summer recipes do the rest. Think iced herbal teas, tomato tarts, and wildflower arrangements for centerpieces.

7. Set Up a Bird Feeder or Bath

Channel your inner naturalist and make your garden a haven for wildlife. A simple bird feeder or bath can bring life and movement to your outdoor space and help local bird populations thrive. If you’re feeling creative, make your own with natural wood or upcycled materials, and place them near shrubs or trees where birds can cool down and perch safely. To keep squirrels from taking over, try spicy seed mixes or placing feeders at least 10 feet from any launch point.

8. Craft with Herbs

If your herb garden is overflowing, there’s so much more you can do with your clippings than just cook. Try drying your herbs and turning them into bath salts, herbal candles, or even natural cleaning products. Lavender and rosemary make a great combo for linen sprays or a homemade scrub. These little herb-based projects make thoughtful handmade gifts, too.

9. Make an Herbal Tea or Herb Butter

While we’re talking about herbs, don’t discount all the simple ways you can add them to meals and drinks. Steep fresh herbs like mint, lemon balm, or chamomile for a relaxing tea, or whip up a soft herb butter with parsley, chives, and thyme to spread on warm bread. These herb recipes don’t require much effort, but they go way beyond topping your tacos with cilantro. 

10. DIY a Compost Bin

It’s not the most glamorous project, but managing a compost bin for all your garden and food scraps is absolutely Martha-approved. Composting reduces waste, enriches your soil, and helps your plants thrive. Whether you build a simple compost bin from wooden pallets or invest in a small tumbler for your patio, composting gives back season after season. Check with your town first because many now offer composting programs with bins and drop-off services that make getting started even easier.