Another Dream Come True!

I recently reflected on the dream job I've been doing

for almost a year.

My self-proclaimed job title is "garden fairy",

as I am not a professionally trained gardener,

and it just seems to fit better.

 Thankfully, that assignment is still in place,

and the folks for whom I am working seem pleased with my efforts.

What a blessing they have been in my life,

in so many ways.

I started an additional job last week.

This new appointment takes place at another private home,

with someone I met through a volunteer activity.

The initial goals are to tidy up the gardens for spring planting,
(thus keeping my job title firmly in place),
and to organize the tool shed,
a secondary skill I adore polishing.

Progress has already been made,

and I'm hoping that the goals I have set for myself

can be accomplished before the harshest of weather descends.

God got me these gigs, that goes without saying.

I've learned that the more I learn to trust and let go,

the better things turn out.

I just needed to get out of my own way. 

 This blog was started many years ago

with the intention of creating, sharing, and teaching.

The name "Maple Hill 101" just came to me,

as things sometimes do without effort. 

As I sat quietly while on my lunch break at this most recent job,

it occurred to me that I was surrounded by maple trees.

It was all the assurance I needed to confirm

that God has a plan for me.

I either trust Him, or I don't.

It's almost overwhelming to think about the depth of gratitude in my heart.

I could just weep when I think of how privileged I feel

to be able to do a job that is so fulfilling, so intrinsically rewarding,

and with full knowledge that it is an instrument of service to others.

I can't seem to decide which fills my heart more,

that God is using me to help others,

or that I get paid to do what I love.

I guess it doesn't really matter,

because when you figure out what you are meant to do,

everything is right with the world.

It is my most heartfelt prayer

that others are able to live their dreams, 

as I am doing now. 

I urge you to sit back and just listen.

Even if you're a late bloomer like me,
it can happen.

Be Blissed!

"My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions,
but in the fewness of my wants."
~Joseph Brotherton

Garden Friday

Welcome back to Garden Friday!

We've got a bit of this 

and a smattering of that 

on this fine summer day.

 We recently had some troublesome weather.

This is a neighbor's house after the storm.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and another neighbor

was able to take care of the aftermath.

The skeleton of the garden hasn't changed much in the last week.

With autumn fast approaching,

the next few weeks will be busy with building a new elongated bed

and transplanting starts into the fall garden.

 For now, we are still harvesting a few scrumptious morsels

from the summer garden.

The cukes just keep on comin'!

I've been pleasantly surprised how easy and problem-free 

these slicing cucumbers have been to grow.

The flavor is mild, refreshing, and crisp!

 The okra has been producing quite well.

Every couple of days,

a few are snipped off the stem

and added to a sauteed vegetable medley.

 New blooms means that they are not slowing down yet.

The tomatoes.  Oh, the tomatoes.

Don't they look gorgeous?

They are teasing me so.

I picked the first Cherokee Purple the other day,

only to find that it was waterlogged.

Not sure why that happened.

What smidge I could cut off and taste was delicious.

I'm holding out hope that the remaining fruit

will be able to be enjoyed.

Of course, that means that I have to beat the cutworms to them.

Each day when I return from my walk

I am diligently checking for these pests.

How'd I miss this monster?

Sorry to say, it was his last meal.

The Japanese eggplant has been so tender and yummy.

I usually cook these with some of the banana peppers I pick,

along with onion and tomato. 

Even though the leaves are riddled with holes,

the fruit does not seem to be disturbed by anything.

 This guy seems to be in a holding pattern.

It doesn't seem to be growing.

I'm gonna add some turkey poop to the container

and see if I can pull it out of its funk.

There are only two watermelons still hanging on the arches.

The Slenderettes never disappoint.

A couple of months back,

it seemed like they were on their way out.

Lo and behold, they sprang back to life.

This is the most tender and delicious string bean

I have ever eaten.

 The turtle beans are drying on the vines.

I'm not sure if I should pick them as they dry,

or wait until the end of season and pick them all.

I have a friend who grows all sorts of drying beans,

so I think I'll pose the question to her.

With the rain we've had lately,

the pumpkins are starting to take off.

They seem quite content nestled in their pots

under the trellis.

They, more than most crops I've grown,

really respond to the downpours.

A bit of cardboard pilfered from a neighbor's trash pile

will help me to cover more of the grassy area

and expand the growing size of the garden.

 These brush piles scattered around the property

will be used as we begin exploring

Hugelkultur in our next raised bed project.

Not only does it recycle the materials on the property,

it is less costly to fill a bed with soil.

Always trying to learn something new

and improve the chances for successful growing.

 In our growing zone (zone 9),

it's time to start several crops including

beets, kale, lettuce, and spinach.

I took some time to get some seedlings started

so that they will be ready for transplanting in a few weeks.

 I'm planning on really focusing on succession planting,

especially with lettuces this fall and winter.

I know that Vates kale will winter over without protection

and I want to test the lettuces and see how they do.

 An old toothbrush is used to get the needed depth for seeds.

Most lettuces are planted 1/4" from the top of the soil.

In general, the smaller the seed, the shallower the hole for sowing.

These seeds are pelleted.

(They look like tiny white eggs.)

The idea is that it's easier to see where you are planting

and to prevent from having to thin out seedlings later on.

The seeds are sown in seed starting mix,

and the soil is gently pressed down

to ensure good contact. 

Misted for good measure,

they are on their way to a great start!

(Indeed, these were checked on yesterday,

and there was already germination in many cellpacks.)

Our first plantings for the fall garden.

 This curiosity peaked my interest.

Hopefully, with a bit of research, we'll figure out what it is.

There is always something new to learn.

 Both the lemongrass and the lantana near the front porch

have savored every drop of rain we've had.

I can see this entire bed being filled in with lantana.

The pollinators love it!

 Oddly enough, the magnolia tree is blooming again.

For some reason, I thought it only did its thing in the springtime.

The Gerbera daisies took their time coming back to life

once they were moved to the butterfly bed.

I never gave up on them though,

and we are being rewarded with stunning blooms.

What's new in your summer garden?

Garden Friday

 It's Garden Friday

and summer is bloomin' strong!

 The Vitex is loaded with blooms

and what a treat to enjoy the beautiful lilac color.

The pollinators are 

IN 

L~O~V~E!

 

Cucumbers were harvested this past week

and enjoyed with my daily salads.

Never having grown them before,

I'm thrilled with how easy they were.

The bonus is that they had really good flavor,

so this will be a crop that will be grown again.

The eggplant really responded to the recent rain.

I can hardly wait to harvest some of these goodies.

Notice the slug bait underneath the plant? 

The only good slug is a drunk slug!

Looks like something is sampling the pepper leaves.

They don't look any worse for wear right now,

so I'll just keep an eye on them.

The turtle beans are doing well.

This is another first-time for me crop,

but I have the feeling it won't be the last.

 The beets are small, but that's not a problem.

I  prefer veggies on the smaller side,

as they usually have better flavor and are more tender.

The tomatoes have started to flower,

so it won't be long before we are enjoying them too.

Mmmm, roasted beets and tomatoes sounds like 

a mighty fine combination!

The melon is still climbing the trellis.

Since last week, we've noticed an increase in pollinators,

so perhaps that explains the newly formed fruit.

 Another watermelon was spotted just yesterday.

It's so exciting to grow something new.

 The sweet potatoes are patiently awaiting planting.

I'm trying something new with my sowing lately.

Planting by the moon is an ancient method of determining

the best times to sow crops.

Read about it here.

Hoping to get them in the containers today.

The straw bales are falling apart fairly quickly.

They have been in place for nearly a year,

and will be removed and reused as mulch

for our new raised row garden in the fall.

It will no doubt be a fantastic asset to the new garden!

Summer's heat is full on, 

and the sunflowers are reveling in it.

We are looking forward to seeing this beauty

open up and kiss the sun.

How is your garden growing this summer?

Dreams Come True

A few months ago,

someone answered an ad I placed on a local social media site.

The ad simply stated that I was looking for opportunities 

to help neighbors with yard work or organizing projects.

Funny thing is, that I advertised only in my immediate neighborhood,

so I could still be close enough to home.

A neighbor called me and we worked together on a couple of projects.

She was kind enough to write up a complimentary review

and another referral came from that.

Since February, I've been blessed to work for the most wonderful couple.

They have allowed me to care for their property,

tending flower beds, filling numerous bird feeders,
even taking care of their beloved fur babies.

This is my workplace.

What a dream!

 Many of the plants have been established for some time.

Look at these amazing hydrangea bushes and hostas.

We've been astounded to witness so many different colors on the bush to the right.

Everything from white, to yellow, to pink and lavender.

 This beautyberry is enormous and starting to fill out with buds.

Soon, it will be covered in magenta berries for the birds to enjoy.

 With eight acres to explore,

around every corner is something new to discover.

 This fig tree was severely pruned just weeks ago,

and yet has come back gangbusters.

It has found its happy place.

Numerous perennials return each year,

with some surprises thrown in.

This recently popped up in one of the front beds.

The coneflowers and bee balm have had many visitors this season.

clematis

What a thrill to pull up each week

to observe what new beauty awaits.

These lilies recently started blooming.

We will be dividing them after they finish providing their show.

 I have learned so much from this gardener.

She has abundant experience and knowledge

and has been patient with me as I learn and grow.

This is truly a dream job.

Blessings come when you least expect it.

Just stay open.