It's been a hectic summer... buying a house and moving for the second time in a year, tending my garden in tubs, putting the house in order (more or less; still some sorting to do during winter; making many changes to the landscape; meeting new neighbors; getting used to life in town after almost 20 years in the country. Big changes. Big blessings.
The summer extended well into the fall months, so did my summer vegetables planted in tubs -- tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. We created some small garden beds in the ground, using my sisters rear tine tiller to break the sod. (Thanks, Sis)
The eggplants did very well, the tomatoes so-so. The cherry tomato (Sun Peach) did quite well, and has continued producing -- green fruit, anyway -- until today. It's doubtful she'll continue.
The summer has drawn to a close.
The forecast calls for freezing weather tonight. Not just a light tap at 32 degrees F. (0 Celsius), but a few degrees below that. So I spent much of the afternoon picking green tomatoes and covering the kale and other greens. They probably would survive, but they are so beautiful, and we eat lots of greens. I didn't want to risk it. The lettuce got a bit of extra cover because it is not quite as hardy as the others. I also moved some large plants into the garage and some smaller ones into the greenhouse. The lemon balm is so beautiful and even a light frost singes the leaves. I want to cut it for tea. It is weather the freeze in the garage. The fig stayed out so it will go into full dormancy.
So I present to you representatives of the final harvest of summer veggies, along with cuttings from the bitter melon vine (an experiment; will they develop roots?) and the last of the marigolds to dry. The little green tomatoes will become chutney, and be fermented with homegrown oregano and thyme.
Seasons change. The summer has finally moved on.
