We’ve been asked in years past how we “know” that frost is coming, seeking insight into how we interpret weather patterns and first/last frosts. Well, we’re going to share one tip with you.
In the fall months, there’s usually a single day where it just starts to “feel” cold. You might have seen lower temperatures previously, perhaps even commenting on how it’s getting chilly out. But, the day we’re talking about is different. We’re talking about the kind of day that chills you to the bone. It might be a “balmy” and “not that cold” 43 degrees Fahrenheit, but this day just hits you different. In your fingers, in your toes, on your face and even under your clothes.
It’s on that day that frost is almost always near. For us, today is that day.
We’re continuing with our winter clean up and final harvests, trying our best to beat the impending winter season that now apparently has us in its sights! And it’s tough, because it’s “that day.” If we had to guess, our first frost will hit within the next week. And since it’s rather late, we can likely expect a rapid dive into what comes next. Winter.
The good news is that we’re really getting down to the last few harvests. Everything we still have left, minus our greenhouse, is exceptionally cold hardy. As for what we have left out there? Carrots, leeks, root veggies, green onions, winter squash, one cabbage and brussels sprouts. We can, of course, take any desired final harvests from kale, greens and any other brassicas that might have produced something lately, if we see fit. (Oh, and we also have a couple of experimental outdoor tomatoes going, too.)
But, most of this will hardily survive those initial frosts. As we mention, we do wait for a good frost to cull out the greenery on our winter squash. Carrots are definitely a post frost thing. And everything else can happen as we’re able.
We’d like that list to be shorter, of course, but we’re seemingly a bit behind this season. Mostly due to competing projects that were also “top priorities” that have little to do with our gardening. We’re guessing our final plants will be pulled when there’s snow on the ground this season.
I made the decision to ride out our greenhouse as long as possible this season. We are still getting lots of tomatoes coming in, even those San Marzano that we sort of complained about a couple weeks ago. Plus, I kind of want to push the insulation in our greenhouse a bit, just to see what it can “really do” in the late season. That’s a day by day thing, though.
The end is near, we can feel it! And on that note, I’ve got to get back out there! No more time for the dilly dallies!
