Up until this year, I haven't planted anything but cherry tomatoes for several years now. Why?
Because this is how it always ends.
We had a low temp of 31° overnight last night and although the tomato vines fared much better than the squash vines (sob), I knew it was time to take the green tomatoes off the vines and find them a more favorable climate in which to survive. They'll be covered with newspaper in some cool corner of the house. It's just not going to be my house this year.
Nope, I'm not keeping any of these for myself. They're all going to a good friend who wants them. Though not a gardener herself, in the past she's taken in green tomatoes, placed them in a single layer in a cardboard box, covered them with newspaper where they've gradually turned red for her. Last year she had garden tomatoes until Thanksgiving.
I've done the same thing, but frankly just don't want to fool with them this year. Our good neighbors grow tomatoes in their greenhouse and we've had more than enough to eat from their efforts for about a month now.
I'm pickled tink that my friend will make good use of these I harvested this morning.
By the by, global warming? Ha. In the past several years we've gone well into the month of October (October 14th last year) before having a frost. Not so this year.
12 comments:
Oh no, the dreaded first frost reached you early. I fear it may be the same for us (though not as early as for you). September is usually the month we hope to get our lows down into the 60s, but next week they're forecasting 40s overnight - I don't remember ever having cool weather come this "early" in the year!
What a great solution to dealing with all those tomatoes. It's so much fun to have some to share. Good neighbors are priceless.
No fried green tomatoes? No frost here but temps are finally cool enough where I can work outside.
I used to grow Sub-Arctic Plenty tomatoes. Small fruits, but delicious, early & plentiful. You might want to check them out => Rare Seeds
Leigh - Every time I think we gardeners have difficulty caused by the weather, I can't help but think of the farmers who can have whole crops (and much of their year's financial income) devastated by Mother Nature. So, really, I have very little of which to complain. We've had a bountiful harvest from our garden and I've been able to do plenty of canning and preserving that will tide us over the coming winter months.
Sam - Nope, no fried green tomatoes in this house! Isn't the cooler weather wonderful? It energizes me!
My mother has had stored tomatoes ripening well into January, but I don't fool with them either. I have enough trouble keeping my potatoes properly stored. Tonight I will have to cover my two remaining tomato plants and the pole beans just in case. I'm not ready to give up on my pole beans just yet! But in general I'm ready for it to be over anyway. We're cutting the perennials tomorrow.
I was curious if you've ever use green tomatoes to make chow chow? I wasn't that familiar with it until I watched an episode on somewhere South on PBS. it's kind of like a corn relish but you use diced green tomatoes diced cabbage Etc. It's a way that people in the Appalachian Mountains used up fresh produce as winter was setting in by preserving it. I might try making some this year maybe we'll have to see how our weather goes. The smoke is really really terrible this morning the worst I've seen so far, and then we just lost power haha so I'm taking a little PTO today until the power gets back up. at least it's not cold and dark it's just dark from the smoke! with climate change there is still individual weather that's local. We had an unusually cool and wet spring including May and June which was really bizarre. We had a 24 degree night in June which is probably how we lost almost all of our peaches. Right now we're a little cooler than we should be because the smoke is actually lowering the temperature about 10 degrees. It was supposed to be in the low 90s this week but was actually in the low 80s. I'm so congested right now I can barely breathe through my nose from all the smoke but rain is on the way tonight and hopefully tomorrow and hopefully is also going to be in the Oregon area so well hopefully quench the fires a bit.
Its Over!! Frost here the last three nights. But...it is supposed to warm up after Sunday night!! We covered the cherry tomatoes and the pole beans, but the tops of them were singed right through the tarps. I harvested a wheelbarrow load of pie pumpkins and butternut squash. All the cold hardy stuff soldiers on, but slower. Yes, those tomatoes are an issue. I have several square yards worth of pinkish ones spread out to ripen and a bunch of green ones destined for green tomato and apple chow. How wonderful to have good neighbours with a greenhouse! Planning on splitting my time between the kitchen and the garden clean-up/prep for next year, as sun and warmer temps are forecast for the next while. Such a beautiful time of year, and....super exciting, just got word that our local Craft Circle is starting back up, masks and social distancing in place, invitation only, to the regulars. (6 of us)!!
Kris - Thanks for sharing the tip on the tomatoes. I've written the variety down in my gardening book. Small fruits are fine with me as long as they have a good flavor!
SmartAlex - I'm so glad to hear that you don't take the green tomatoes in to ripen either. I do feel a little lazy about not doing it myself, but like you, I think I'm 'bout done with gardening in any shape or form for this year!
Nancy - My daughter suggested I try making some chow chow or related product with the green tomatoes, too. But I'm the only one in our house that would eat it. Hubby doesn't like any relish like that. I used to make (what I thought was) a delicious zucchini relish but it didn't appeal to him. :o( The smoke from the fires that so many like you are experiencing is just not good for the human system. I sure do hope you got that rain that was forecast and some relief from the bad air conditions.
Rosalea - And another gardener bites the dust because of old Jack Frost! Have I mentioned our frost was a whole month earlier this year than last? My group of handwork gals (there are six of us, too) has started to meet again also. Our biggest challenge has been finding a meeting room where we can spread out enough for social distancing. We think we've got it covered now and have a place secured at least until the first of the year. I think we need good relationships such and we have all the more during these stressful times, don't you?
The frost is earlier this year than it has been any of the last 3 years we've been here. It was very white, all over this morning. Yes, looking so forward to meeting up with the girls, (and a guy, and he is one heck-of-a good knitter and spinner!) next Thursday.
I wish I could have the greenies, because I want to make mincemeat this year, and mine all turned red and are done now. Green tomatoes with apples and raisins make the best. Phil
Phil - Oh, if only we lived closer! I was out in the garden yesterday and found several "greenies" that were missed when my daughter and I stripped the tomato vines. I'd be happy for you to have them!
We've turned colder weather here, but no frost yet. I have green tomatoes as well, but I'm contemplating green tomato salsa, green tomato cutney, green tomato cake or let them sit and turn red for something else. Not sure just yet.
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