The Maple Hill Hop 109

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.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*


We've focused on field trips in the last few weeks,
so a garden update seems to be in order.
Here's what's growin' in the veggie beds.

These pigeon peas were harvested once they dried on the bush.
Some were eaten fresh,
but we want to make sure that we save some for replanting.
It's the first time we've grown them
and we found them to be pretty easy.
You can read more about this crop here.   
 

This moringa tree is still young,
but growing steadily.
Its leaves are edible and lend a delicate texture to salads.
 

Our autumn has been unseasonably warm,
and the snap peas (and I) have been less than thrilled.
They are taking their time climbing the baling twine trellis.
Perhaps December will bring more favorable temperatures.
 

The green beans have a rust problem. 
My farmer friends Faye & Lynn ran into the same issue
and haven't grown them since.

They still produce,
but in much less quantity than they normally would.

A handful of these Slenderette beans
are treasured for their tenderness. 
Sometimes they are eaten before they make it to the kitchen.

A lettuce mix was planted in September.
It's only been in the last few weeks 
that any progress has been made.
These crops do well in cooler temperatures,
and Mother Nature just hasn't been cooperating. 

The carrots seem happy enough.
Slowly but steadily they grow.

The beets are another perfect autumn crop for Central Florida.
This year doesn't bode well for us getting a good harvest.
Maybe a little fertilizer will give them a boost. 

These eggplant transplants given to us by Lynn
are holding their own.
The marigolds are just starting to pop up around them.

This eggplant transplant was planted at the same time,
and for some reason, it is doing much better.
Maybe they just prefer containers? 
 

New lettuce transplants awaiting a spot in the garden bed. 

Lynn gave us some Brandywine tomato transplants
as well.  Tomatoes are so intimidating to me.
I will hope for the best, but not get too excited,
as I've had minimal success with growing any type of mater.

That's what's happening outside where we are.
What's going on near you?
Let's HOP!   

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