Good Bye Summer. FINALLY!

It finally happened.  Summer is done in the garden and it took until January for it to happen.  A couple of freezes last week singed all the tomato plants so badly that the plants had to go.  That included plants that produced all summer long and new volunteers.

The beds need to get ready for onions or maybe more broccoli and cauliflower.  All those veggies get used easily in the kitchen.Can you believe it?  It will be time to plant tomato seedlings in just 2 months!  Since these little tomatoes will get turned under, there will probably be little sprouts struggling shortly OR the earthworms can help break them down.

Frosted Scotch

Frost formed on the Scotch Moss this morning.  Thank goodness.  More freezing weather is good for the fruit trees.  Well, not so good for the citrus trees.  Citrus is covered on super cold nights (in the 20s) using a beach umbrella draped in plastic.  It’s easy up and easy down.

Now that the freezer door is open, California needs some moisture in the form of snow up in the high Sierras.  Many are getting nervous that the hopes of another bountiful water year will be dashed.  I’m hopeful but practical.  The garden is equipped with water saving irrigation.  Nothing radical – just practical.  I’m ready either way. 

You know I’m just happy to not be wearing swamp pants.  And that’s the truth.

Fruit Trees – Love in Bloom in the Garden

Checking on the fruit trees on this sunny afternoon.  The espalier were pruned some time ago.  They had the 1st application of dormant spray on January 16th.  The next application is scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday, February 6th.  The buds are fattening up just a little bit.  Once the buds break, dormant spray can no longer be applied.

My garden assistant for the afternoon was checking out the other end of the line where the plum, peach, and apple grow while I inspected the apricot, nectarine, and pear on my end.  Each tree will be getting fertilized and additional compost prior to Valentine’s Day.  We moved on to the only citrus tree currently producing.

The Rio Red Grapefruit tree.

The dwarf tree, planted on Valentine’s Day 2009, has produced 7 fruits this season.  Farmer MacGregor and I enjoyed the 1st pick several weeks ago; but old MacGregor declared that the fruit was a wee bit too tart yet.  I thought it was just right.  That could be due to the fact that I’m so sweet and counteract any tartness. We’ll wait just a bit longer until more is harvested.  I prefer to eat grapefruit with a spoon and never like I would eat an orange.  It must be some kind of reaction with the metal of the spoon or something that makes the grapefruit more appealing to me to eat that way.

The stakes surrounding the tree will remain in place until all danger of frost has passed.  Plastic sheeting is draped over the stakes to form a small greenhouse and help ward off any damage from cold weather.  Other than frost dangers, citrus are fairly maintenance free here in zone 8-9.

Perhaps the next time the farmer and I enjoy a grapefruit, we can use something like this to celebrate Valentine’s Day after the trees are fed and composted.  Ain’t it romantic?

Jack Frost Nipping @ Our Toes

The temperatures are dipping down below freezing tonight; so tender plants need to be protected.  Typically, I don’t want a plant that needs to be fussed with; but since the salad bed is feeding both me and Farmer MacGregor fairly well this winter it gets fussed with.  Previously, I showed this image of the salad bed on a warm, sunny day.

Before

 

This afternoon, we draped the plastic sheeting over to help seal in some warmth.  Old man MacGregor reports that some of the lettuce had a bit of frost this morning.  No damage was noticed.  Anyway – this is a fairly simple way to help protect tender growth on an infrequent basis.  I couldn’t recommend this for areas with snow and cold, cold temperatures.  I wouldn’t have a clue how to even operate a snow shovel…and for that I am thankful. After

Most all other crops are growing vigorously with this cool/cold weather.  The cabbage patch is an example of those plants that thrive during this time of year – cabbages, onions, cauliflower, and beets are producing beautifully.

Now, when I say it’s cold here in the garden please don’t have visions of me building a snowman.  Nope.  It’s simply great weather…weather that doesn’t produce swamp pants.  It’s my most favorite kind of weather.  Sun on my back and a cool breeze coming off the snow covered Sierras.  Perfect.

 

PS…

 

As I sat out in the garden this afternoon with my feet up, eyes enjoying the blue sky, I noticed a load of yellow birds in my neighbors’ Mulberry tree.  Anyone have a clue what kind of birds they are?  I think they have a cardinal-like head.  I couldn’t get my long lens on quick enough.

 

Freezing Tomatoes!

Are you flippin’ kidding me?!  I never knew tomatoes would freeze as a viable way to preserve them.  Never thought about it.  I’ve been spending the past few weekends canning and I’m still overrun with tomatoes.  I learned from a commenter over at Sacramento Vegetable Garden that tomatoes can be fresh frozen.  That’s right.  FROZEN!  I did a quick search and learned a wonderful trick.  Now I’m going out to harvest this evening.

Enjoy.

PS – If you wander over to Sacramento Vegetable Garden don’t be startled by Bill’s music when it starts up.

TIME PASSES…

Here’s the haul from this evening’s harvest.  There’s a bunch more to follow.  This freezing thing is a nice option that I’m excited to try.  Meanwhile, this bounty is chilling in the garage refrigerator.