The End
Well, we have our first frost advisory for tonight (Sunday night, which was last night). Luckily, I’ve been out all week harvesting all the remaining peppers, tomatoes, and beans. I’m amazed by the amount of green peppers I had on my plants, they totaled about a bushel. I had about the same amount of tomatoes.
The peppers already made their way into the freezer, the green tomatoes are laying in wait till they ripen. I may make some green tomato chutney if I have the time.
The hot peppers (cayenne and Korean bird peppers) are going to be dried for crumbling into curries and stews to add a little heat this coming winter. There’s actually something nice about having a frost, it’s a definite end to the season. Sometimes I need that to get me to finally rip out the tender plants and prepare for the coming winter.
When is your typical first frost?
No frost yet… Being 20 miles closer to the coast than you are makes a big difference. The last few years it has been October before we’ve had a frost here. Typically, sometime in mid-late September though…
to Joan's comment
Susy, frost usually hits Nebraska in the middle of October. With the way the weather’s been acting, I’m not sure about when that will happen this year. Just last week we had 90 degree days when we should have been getting 70 degree days. It’s been really weird weather this year. There’s been more over 90 days this summer than I can remember. The tomatoes are loving the extended hot weather. Problem is I have more than enough stored away and everyone I know don’t want any more so they are headed for the compost. I have one more batch of Susy Morris tomato soup recipe to make and I’m done for the year..
Have a great garden cleanup day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
If it is like last year it won’t be until late December. Actually, maybe it was January. It was in the high 80s and low 90s all weekend. Mild break today with a cool front, but no frost in sight for us!
to Misti's comment
We had our first frost warning last night also; about three weeks ahead of schedule. We’re on the very southern edge of the zone that received the warning though, and managed to stay above freezing. Looking at our extended forecast, I should have until the weekend before I have to start harvesting any unripe peppers or tomatoes.
to JJ's comment
For NW Ohio it’s supposed to be 10-15 for the first freeze. I got 80 qt. juice from my tomatoes plus gallons of pear and cherry tomatoes. I have a second “coming” on my tomato plants. I have some at least a 1/2 lb. that are green. they are 7 ft. tall so would be hard to cover but will try on the plants with the most/largest tomatoes. I have dozens of old blankets. peppers doing good, herbs doing good, and so forth. Still getting zukes and yellow squash which I have never gotten this late in the yr. Despite the drought being heavily mulched with leaves is saving my garden. I’m in no hurry and won’t actually harvest and clear till it actually frosts hard here. Sorry your garden is done.
to DEb's comment
I’m a little jealous. I remember that feeling from gardening in Chicago. Here in Texas we don’t have a clear end to the season. The middle of summer is a bad time for most things but some summers I’ve had okra, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers the whole way through. Some years it seems to be too hot for anything except basil. You kind of never know what to expect.
As for fall/winter, it’s more about when can we start planting again and not so much about taking anything out of the garden, it’s already long gone from the heat.
to sarah's comment