Someone needs to tell them it's over

[tam91]

Hmm, now I never thought to use it as a bouquet, for the smell - what a good idea.

I still have lots of it I think (at least I did yesterday) - I guess I should look up that simple syrup idea. And I bet you could freeze it in ice cube trays too...

[b54red]

I gave up long ago trying to figure out how long tomatoes can keep going so I just wait for late blight or a really hard freeze to finish them off. I've already been hit by late blight once this fall and it took out about 40% of my plants but a quick spraying saved the rest. We have had no heavy frosts yet even though the temps have dipped into the mid 30s several nights. For all I know it may warm up again into the 80s again before we get the final big dip in temperatures. We usually don't have much in the way of spring or fall just a few milder weeks between summer and winter. Last year we had temperatures to 100 several days in mid October and this spring we had 100s several days in May. With weather like that you just have to wait and see what happens because you sure can't plan around it.

[tam91]

Well I seriously doubt I will see 80 again here. But those tomato plants are sure hanging in there. I hate to break it to them, but they're only still there because I have other projects in front of them that need doing more (shhh... don't tell them...)

[Tracydr]

Mint chutney with mint, cilantro and peppers. Eat with fresh naan bread, mmmm! Also, use mint for taboleh. And, chocolate mint in chocolate chip cookies is the best, or brownies!

[tam91]

Wow in cookies etc., that sounds different. I have made tabbouleh, never tried the chutney.

[tam91]

I am wondering if I am going to be picking tomatoes in February. They're still going. I think it was actually a freeze last night, but many of the silly tomato plants are still alive. Yesterday, I picked another huge basket of green tomatoes, and some that are beginning to ripen - even a few made it all the way to ripe. They don't taste as good as the summer ones of course, but still better than grocery store. This is bizarre.
Beauty King, Kosovo, and Brad's Black Heart are particularly inspired. I've gotten bored with cherry tomatoes, not even picking them, although there are plenty out there. Enough already.

[Ruth_10]

Now it's over. Got down to about 27 F last night (this morning) and that fried the tomato leaves. I think my pepper and pole beans took a hit but are not all the way down and out.

I have a collection of several dozen tomatoes that have finished ripening indoors that I will cook up today or tomorrow. This is my longest season ever for tomatoes!

[tam91]

I think mine have finally given up. Although a day or two ago I still had an 8 foot Cosmos plant (!) blooming like crazy.

Just have to use up a bunch of red tomatoes on the counter, and maybe make some green tomato soup.

[b54red]

It got down to 26 here just a while ago and it is still below 27 at 5:45 am. It has been below freezing since before midnight. Much colder than I was expecting so I got out twice last night and gave the plants a spray of water but it may have been too little too late. Six hours of below freezing weather with no wind usually means disaster.

[tam91]

Oh dear, I hope they make it.

[b54red]

Most of my plants made it through with little damage. I did lose a few tomatoes and hot pepper plants. I'm still finding it hard to believe I didn't lose them all. I guess they haven't gotten the word yet that it is all over.

[tam91]

I'm glad they made it through!

I finally pulled mine, they hadn't 100% given up amazingly, but it was the day to light the burn pile. Sad... little tomatoes seemed to squeak as they died. At first, I was afraid there were chipmunks in there, but the green tomatoes really did make a noise. Wierd.