16 Bucket List Ideas for the Ultimate Martha Girl Summer From making tomato confit to harvesting fresh eggs from backyard chickens. Close Credit: Hugh Stewart If you haven’t heard yet, we’re having a Martha Girl Summer. The charming aesthetic of America’s first influencer is taking over social media, with users romanticizing the effortless, yet perfectly polished lifestyle Martha has maintained for decades. It’s about serving homemade lemonade in jadeite glassware, collecting eggs from backyard chickens, and harvesting produce with a vintage basket—all while sporting overalls and a wide-brimmed hat. But Martha Girl Summer is more than just a fleeting trend—it’s a mindset that invites you to create a life filled with intentional, elevated moments. To help you embrace the laid-back elegance and timeless allure of Martha's lifestyle, we curated a Martha Girl Summer bucket list that will encourage you to live more like its namesake. From baking a homemade pie with fresh berries to hosting lavish dinner parties, these good things celebrate Martha's breezy, from-scratch way of life. The 'Martha Girl Summer' Guide to Entertaining—How to Host the Season's Best Gatherings 01 of 16 Host an Outdoor Lunch Credit: Noe Dewitt One of Martha's favorite ways to celebrate the start of summer is by hosting a luncheon for friends and family, offering refreshing drinks and delicious bites. Take inspiration from her by turning a simple backyard meal into an elevated affair. Drape the table in crisp linens, curate a garden-to-table menu, and whip up a signature cocktail or homemade lemonade. 02 of 16 Thrift a Produce Basket Credit: Courtesy of decorvow There is a small house on Martha's property in Bedford, New York, that is dedicated entirely to baskets. Over the years, she has collected baskets in various shapes and sizes from auctions, tag sales, and antiques fairs. Martha uses some of the baskets—including her great-grandmother's gathering basket—to harvest fresh produce from her garden. Make like Martha and keep an eye out for hand-woven baskets when perusing thrift stores this summer, and use them when you go to the farmer's market or when walking through your own garden. 03 of 16 Pick Roses for Arrangements Credit: Don Freeman In 1990, Martha purchased a shingled cottage on tree-lined Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton, New York. She got to work filling her yard with a riot of roses, including heirlooms, climbers, and English varieties. Before she sold the property, she moved the roses to her current estate in Bedford. Every summer, she uses the roses to make beautiful cut flower arrangements to display throughout her home. Take inspiration from Martha and grow your own roses to harvest, or buy cut flowers from your local florist for bouquets. 04 of 16 Grill for Friends Credit: Hugh Stewart Take a page from Martha's summer entertaining playbook by turning a humble backyard barbecue into the perfect al fresco gathering. Fire up the grill, serve seasonal sides, and style your table with thrifted serveware and potted plants to curate the ultimate seasonal dining experience. 05 of 16 Go for a Boat Ride Credit: Courtesy of decorvow This 1970s snapshot of Martha captures her enjoying one of her favorite pastimes—boating. Whether she is aboard a small laser or a 200-foot yacht, Martha says she loves the joy of the open sea. Embrace this time-honored hobby by going for your own boat ride this summer, be it on a sailboat or in a canoe. 06 of 16 Take a Hike Credit: Courtesy of decorvow Channel Martha's passion for wellness by hitting the trails this summer for a scenic nature walk or a more challenging hike. In this photo, Martha is pictured hiking in Zion National Park during a trip with her daughter, Alexis, for her 50th birthday. Whether it's morning pilates or an adventurous getaway, Martha always makes time to move her body. 07 of 16 Harvest Garden Tomatoes Credit: John Kernick For Martha, it's not summer until the first tomatoes of the season are harvested. She grows dozens of tomato varieties, from trusted heirlooms to new hybrids in various unique shades. If you have tomatoes growing in your garden, follow Martha's lead and preserve them by oven-drying or pureeing them or making tomato confit or tomato water. Martha's Guide to Preserving Tomatoes 08 of 16 Host a Beach Weekend Credit: Courtesy of decorvow Martha Girl Summer doesn't stop when you're on vacation. In this vintage snapshot from 1980, Martha is pictured whipping up a delicious breakfast of pancakes for friends in Saint Barts. If you're going on a trip this summer, draw inspiration from Martha and plan a lovely brunch for your loved ones—it will be the perfect way to start (or end) your getaway. 09 of 16 Collect Fresh Eggs in Overalls Credit: Susan Wood / Getty Images Martha isn't just known for her entertaining and gardening skills—her impeccable style is also an inspiration to many. She even looks effortlessly chic during days spent on her farm harvesting eggs from her chickens. Whether you have your own hens or visit a local farm, take a style note from this vintage photo of Martha the next time you gather fresh eggs. 10 of 16 Make a Salad With Fresh Greens Credit: Susan Wood / Getty Images Whether in her garden or her greenhouse, Martha always has a head of lettuce or two ready for harvesting. Some of her favorite varieties to grow include butter lettuce, Bibb lettuce, and Boston lettuce. After harvesting, Martha shares her leafy greens with loved ones and saves some to enjoy in her own lunches and dinners. This summer, plant some leafy greens in beds or containers to use for your own farm-to-table meals. 11 of 16 Play Lawn Games While most of her property is dedicated to greenery, Martha keeps certain areas open and groomed for lawn games. A few of her favorites to play with friends during summer include bocce ball, croquet, horseshoes, and badminton. No matter what game you play, Martha says, "All that really matters is that one gets outside, picks up a racket or a ball or a mallet and enjoys nature and friendship at its best." 12 of 16 Complete a Home DIY Project Credit: Courtesy of decorvow It may be hot outside, but that never stops Martha from getting things done around the home. In this throwback photo, she and Alexis are seen painting Turkey Hill, the first property Martha ever purchased. She spent years restoring the old farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut, where she lived for 36 years. Use her DIY spirit as motivation to complete your own home projects this summer. 13 of 16 Turn Fresh Berries Into Dessert Credit: Courtesy of decorvow It doesn't get more Martha than turning berries from your garden into a stunning dessert. Whether it's a simple blueberry tart with a homemade shortbread crust or rustic strawberry-rhubarb galettes, Martha has plenty of delicious recipe ideas that will inspire you to bake with the season's bounty. 14 of 16 Make a Refreshing Cocktail Credit: Marcus Nilsson No Martha Girl Summer is complete without a signature beverage to sip on throughout the season. Draw inspiration from Martha's entertaining style and create a cocktail that's refreshing and beautiful, such as her Yellow-Watermelon Margaritas or Rose Sangria With Nectarines and Strawberries. Bonus points if you use fruit from your own garden. 15 of 16 Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat Credit: Courtesy of decorvow Sun protection meets timeless style with this Martha closet staple, perfect for wearing while working in the garden or relaxing oceanside. To complete the look, pair it with other seasonal wardrobe must-haves, like linen pants or overalls, for a perfectly coastal, Martha-inspired look. 16 of 16 Plant More Vegetables Credit: Courtesy of decorvow It's never too late to get more vegetables in the ground. Use summer to plant some late-season crops that can germinate in warmer temperatures, like cucumbers and tomatoes, or spend the rest of the season planning your fall garden. As Martha always says, gardening is a year-round endeavor—she's busy tending to her plants even during the hottest days of summer and coldest days of winter. Explore more: Living