The last few nights we have had "killing frost" temps dropping into the 20's. So I went out and harvested what I could (I'm considering fried green tomatoes as they don't seem to be ripening in the bowl) Chopped and froze or set out to dry all my peppers. Cut down and cooked the last of the rainbow chard (seriously I harvested each plant at least 4 times this summer - magic)
What makes me sad is I had eggplants that were on the plants and the eggplant, pepper and tomatoes still had more flowers (each flower a potential yummy goodness) It's like they were trying to make more and they didn't know they were going to die. I wish I had a greenhouse I could have moved them to ( potential bugs mean I can't move them in to the house) I'm thinking of trying to make "cages" out of thin pvc piping that I can cover with heavy clear plastic drop cloths as "mini greenhouses" for both next spring and next fall. This will probably end up being my winter project - so you may see more about those later.
Fortunately my favorite flowers - Montauk Daisies can make it through until the hard freeze comes (or freezing rain) light snow they can handle, freezing rain not so much.
If you've known me a while - you know I'm a winter person. I love cold crisp air, love the way the light changes, love the early sunsets. I love looking out in the evening and seeing Orion in the southern sky. This time of year, the mums are all out in full force in the garden centers, but they aren't my favorite fall flowers. Montauk daisies, have slightly leathery leaves, come back every year, and as long as we don't have an ice storm or a ton of rain - they will bloom into December. So when my daisies start budding - I know it isn't long until the wonderful winter weather is back!
