We laugh because we were laboring harder yesterday than usual. You see we have Arctic cold dropping down on us on Wednesday night. They’re even calling for snow. Ugh! I sure hope it doesn’t freeze as we still have a ton of garden produce out there that’s not ripe yet.
We did pull in our onions, which are now laying out on the greenhouse tables to cure. Not because of the cold but because the dratted weeds were too big and beginning to go to seed. We sure don’t need more weeds next year. I mowed them off then Will took the baby Kubota out there yesterday and tilled them under. We wanted to till them before the weed seeds matured. We had really weedy onions but we were very happy for the nice harvest we did get — five big crates full. Sherri was here to pull onions. Thank God for Sherri! I sent her home with a crate full. Most of the onions were nice sized, which made us happy. The onion patch sure looks bare, all tilled and clean, after so many weeds.
Today I’m seeding tomatoes like mad, trying to get ahead of that cold snap. I did a whole bunch of different varieties then went out and picked about 25 pounds of assorted tomatoes that I already have plenty of seeds saved. I’ll be adding the 25 pounds to the roasting pan with tomato pieces and then roasting them along with some onions, garlic, and sweet peppers for salsa tomorrow. I sure like using as much as I can, not just blowing the leftover pieces out onto the field like big seed companies do. Waste not; want not was Mom’s favorite saying. I’ve sure picked that one up. And with the increasing prices at the grocery (and other) stores, I really feel the need to stock up.
— Jackie
Dear Jackie,
Yes, fall is here and winter not far behind. I know we will have a few more hot days but not many. I saw my Sugar Maple trees already turned today and they are beautiful. Fall is very awesome but right now, it is hurry, hurry, hurry to get it all done. I got some pears last Friday at a nearby farm and so tickled. We have not had pears in 3 or 4 years, but they came in this year. I see pear preserves canning soon. It proves the old saying, put up all you can this year, cause next year you may not have that crop at all. Take care and I know we all are looking forward to a restful (somewhat) winter.
Our hummingbirds are ‘tanking up’ really early this year. We are in southern Missouri and the weathermen are saying that we have already had our summer and are starting fall weather. They are also suggesting that we will get colder weather and possibly snow much earlier than usual. Boy, your late rains really slowed your growing season. Thank goodness for the greenhouse. Thanks for saving precious seeds. Blessings.
We’re praying hard that we don’t freeze out on Wednesday night or Saturday night. It’ll be close. Everything is late but coming on strong. I sure hope it passes us by!
Oh no! Please, no frost yet for you. I realize that you get frost way before I do, but this is even WAY early for you. I am in awe at all that you and Will accomplish.
Yes, it is way early for that frost. We’re shocked to hear of that cold snap coming and are doing our best to get ready for it. No, we can’t cover things; there’s just too much of it. Instead, we’re praying very hard.
The apples are in so spent the weekend canning apples for pies and cooking also hot spiced apple pickles. Did the onions last week and did them in the raised beds. Heavier concentration of plants and much easier to care for. So far raised beds are the way to go.
I’m glad the raised beds are working for you. We have a lot of apples too and I’ve got to get out there and pick, pick, pick so I, too, can get busy canning apple stuff.
I have your canning cookbook and have used your salsa recipe many times over the years with friends and daughter asking for it over and over!
I’m so happy you like my salsa recipe. We do too! I’m canning up 18 half pints right now with more on the ticket for tomorrow. Make that the day after tomorrow when we see how that freeze warning pans out. : (