Welcome to
The Maple Hill Hop.
This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.
Feel free to post about anything that's going on
OUTSIDE
in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.
no matter the season.
(Please share only outdoor posts.)
*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*
We were graced with a good dose of rain yesterday.
Those afternoon storms are appreciated,
as they break up the oppressive heat we've been experiencing.
Our summer crops are few, but we grow what we can.
Here's a garden update.
The leaves on the sweet potato we planted last week are a dark green color.
That's a good sign.
We are letting it sprawl through our recently created Veggie Bed #1.
Two types of heat tolerant lettuce were directly sown
in our shady area.
We are attempting to grow lettuce in the summer,
no small task.
So far, so good.
Here is some of the "Freckles" variety that had been started in seed trays.
Slow growing, but worth the wait if we get some for our table!
This will most likely get transplanted next weekend to a pot.
I want to see if it grows better in a container
or straight in the ground.
What a thrill to see a pigeon pea vine sprouting up.
Although several seeds were sown,
this was the only that has amounted to anything.
We acquired the seeds from someone who came to one of our plant giveaways.
This canary melon was also gifted us by the same couple.
We've never grown either of these two plants,
so it'll be fun to see what happens.
I'm hoping to have enough production to be able to save seeds.
Here's a little bit about this variety.
Another project has me potting up volunteer crape myrtle seedlings.
With the onset of some much needed rains,
they're holding their own.
They will be listed on Craig's List when they get a bit more size to them.
The gloriosa daisy plants don't need much.
They are quite heat tolerant and do well with the most stringent watering.
The pollinators love 'em!
So much beauty for so little effort.
What a blessing.
The cosmos drink up the rain water.
They are scattered throughout the garden,
adding a pop of color everywhere they dwell.
A small clump of agapanthus graces our backyard bed.
This is an all-time favorite that was brought to my attention by our neighbor,
when we first moved here 10 years ago.
This picture doesn't really do it justice,
but Meems, over at Hoe and Shovel has done a wonderful job of showcasing this beauty.
Her garden blog is extraordinary!
This gorgeous feather grass was given to us
by my friend KK, who recently moved away.
She will be missed, but part of her will stay with this garden.
The way it sways in the breeze is a sight to behold.
We are still inundated with gulf fritillary caterpillars,
and a record number of chrysalises can be found surrounding our back porch.
Lots of butterflies will soon be hatching!
The rain was a welcome visitor.
Everything is renewed, refreshed
and cooled off, if only for a short time.
We'll take any cooldown we can get!
What's happening where you are?
HOP on!
We were graced with a good dose of rain yesterday.
Those afternoon storms are appreciated,
as they break up the oppressive heat we've been experiencing.
Our summer crops are few, but we grow what we can.
Here's a garden update.
The leaves on the sweet potato we planted last week are a dark green color.
That's a good sign.
We are letting it sprawl through our recently created Veggie Bed #1.
Two types of heat tolerant lettuce were directly sown
in our shady area.
We are attempting to grow lettuce in the summer,
no small task.
So far, so good.
Here is some of the "Freckles" variety that had been started in seed trays.
Slow growing, but worth the wait if we get some for our table!
This will most likely get transplanted next weekend to a pot.
I want to see if it grows better in a container
or straight in the ground.
What a thrill to see a pigeon pea vine sprouting up.
Although several seeds were sown,
this was the only that has amounted to anything.
We acquired the seeds from someone who came to one of our plant giveaways.
This canary melon was also gifted us by the same couple.
We've never grown either of these two plants,
so it'll be fun to see what happens.
I'm hoping to have enough production to be able to save seeds.
Here's a little bit about this variety.
Another project has me potting up volunteer crape myrtle seedlings.
With the onset of some much needed rains,
they're holding their own.
They will be listed on Craig's List when they get a bit more size to them.
The gloriosa daisy plants don't need much.
They are quite heat tolerant and do well with the most stringent watering.
The pollinators love 'em!
So much beauty for so little effort.
What a blessing.
The cosmos drink up the rain water.
They are scattered throughout the garden,
adding a pop of color everywhere they dwell.
A small clump of agapanthus graces our backyard bed.
This is an all-time favorite that was brought to my attention by our neighbor,
when we first moved here 10 years ago.
This picture doesn't really do it justice,
but Meems, over at Hoe and Shovel has done a wonderful job of showcasing this beauty.
Her garden blog is extraordinary!
This gorgeous feather grass was given to us
by my friend KK, who recently moved away.
She will be missed, but part of her will stay with this garden.
The way it sways in the breeze is a sight to behold.
We are still inundated with gulf fritillary caterpillars,
and a record number of chrysalises can be found surrounding our back porch.
Lots of butterflies will soon be hatching!
The rain was a welcome visitor.
Everything is renewed, refreshed
and cooled off, if only for a short time.
We'll take any cooldown we can get!
What's happening where you are?
HOP on!
