I have peppers.
And tomatoes.
It’s October. They aren’t going to make it. Well, I could harvest the peppers tiny and slice ’em up on some pizza, but the tomatoes are going nowhere. I discovered these latebloomers in the raised bed by the driveway. It was the only existing non-flower garden on the farm when I moved here. The previous owners had peppers, tomatoes, and herbs in here. Their rosemary made it through the winter and is still going strong. I planted some more herbs, but didn’t try putting anything else in here because this is the front line in a chicken garden war. To successfully grow anything but herbs, I’ll need fenced beds to keep the chickens out. These volunteers popped up on their own. I suppose it took them awhile because I mulched this bed pretty good in the spring. They finally made their way through the obstacles to present me with the promise of produce–in October.
They’re doomed. But it’s nice to finally feel like I grew something edible this year!
In other news, I’m sick, sick, sick. Fever, chills, congestion, I’m gonna die, I’m tellin’ ya. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been this sick, so I’m spoiled and whiny. I’ll be back when I figure out for sure if I’m going to live.
EMarie says:
Awwwww….sorry you’re feeling poorly. We’ll pray for you. Congrats on the edibles though.
On October 8, 2012 at 9:20 am
Jersey Lady says:
Sick? Oh no…hope it wasn’t from that one lady at the library.Rest up and be well soon.
On October 8, 2012 at 9:27 am
lifeisgood/ Melinda says:
Sorry you are sick! Try drinking some hot tea with honey and lemon and a splash of whiskey or brandy. That and some rest should help.
Can you rig some plastic over the raised bed? If you created a mini greenhouse the tomatoes and peppers should live long enough to harvest. Of course, I’m not in WV and have no clue if that would work with your climate. I know it works here in Louisiana.
Feel better soon!
On October 8, 2012 at 9:37 am
Mim says:
Hope you are feeling better soon….As far as your volunteers, I would pick them for sure..the green tomatoes can be chopped, dusted with flour and fried in butter…I leave mine til they are browned like hash browns and sprinkle them with parmesan cheese.. You can also chop a couple red tomatoes and add them to the green ones… :pawprint:
On October 8, 2012 at 9:38 am
GA_in_GA says:
You were robbed! Of your health! :hissyfit:
Hope you have chicken noodle soup in the freezer, or else your DD knows how to make it. Drink lots of fluids!
Take care of yourself!
On October 8, 2012 at 9:46 am
enjay says:
Green tomato salsa, pickles, heck even green tomato ketchup! Yummmm!
Also, Lowe’s in our area has their canning supplies half off. Might want to check your local store, you can make the order and pay for it online and pick it up at the store.
On October 8, 2012 at 9:56 am
MrsB says:
Take the tomatoes off anyway and put them in the kitchen…they will begin to ripen – they will not be wonderful, but okay to stick in some soup or stew.
Been there, done that.
On October 8, 2012 at 9:57 am
Claudia W says:
Get well soon Suzanne! In the meantime, rest, rest REST!!!
How cool you have volunteers!
On October 8, 2012 at 10:06 am
beforethedawn says:
Oh no, feel better soon! Make sure you get some rest.
Very cool about the volunteers!
On October 8, 2012 at 10:12 am
ibpallets (Sharon B.) says:
You need some of my Echinacea.
Hubby was feeling achey and sick. I gave him some Echinacea mixed with Pineapple juice.
After two days of this he feels better!
I will say Friday night after he drank it, he looked at me and said, okay, now I’m sick and drunk! LOL
Feel better soon, Suzanne!
On October 8, 2012 at 10:17 am
brookdale says:
So sorry you aren’t feeling well. Is it the flu? Or did you get a flu shot this fall? Try to rest, I know it’s hard with all you have to do. Hope you get well before the Black Walnut Festival! :purpleflower:
And, congratulations on your volunteer veggies! If you cover them at night against the frost they will live for quite a while. Just an old sheet or towel will do it.
On October 8, 2012 at 10:29 am
langela says:
I think it was the man in the elevator. Don’t you feel beat up and like you’re going to die? He tried to warn you!
JK, Feel better soon!
On October 8, 2012 at 10:32 am
brookdale says:
Me again…just wanted to tell you, I had to pick my tomatoes green because another frost was coming and I was tired of covering them up every night. I put them in a cardboard box, covered it with a newspaper and put it in a cool corner. Now 2 weeks later half of them are ripe already!
On October 8, 2012 at 10:32 am
jeannieq says:
Green tomato relish is wonderful as is fried green tomatoes, I slice them and dredge with a flour/cormeal/salt/black pepper and then fry. Peppers are awesome if you just slice them across not lengthwise and and pickle them with just vinager/water mixture and then they are wonderful on sandwiches with cooked greens or dried beans or soup. Or I just take peppers and wash and dry and throw in the freezer to be used when cooking soups or roasted veggies. There are a ton of things you could do if you weren’t feeling poorly. Hope you are better soon but see if the kids will pick the stuff for you and you a wait a couple of days before putting it up! Makes for very flavorful winter meals. Best wishes.
On October 8, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Pam full of joy says:
In my version of fried green tomatoes, I don’t bother with coating them with anything. Salt, pepper and fry them up–oh in some of that lard you make–straight up or savory. Or toss them in when you cook bacon. Yum.
Feel better soon. :shocked:
On October 8, 2012 at 12:19 pm
dancemom80 says:
You can use the tomatoes in fried green tomatoes or green tomato relish. Hope you are feeling better soon.
On October 8, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
I think there’s a misunderstanding from the perspective of the photo. I know what to do with green tomatoes! What I meant was, these tomatoes are about the size of a quarter, and they aren’t going to have time to get bigger. Sure, I could chop them up for one teeny tiny stir-fry, but that’s about it!
On October 8, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Cheryl LeMay says:
If the plants aren’t real big you could try digging them up and overwintering them inside in a sunny window. I’ve done that before and even with eggplants which continued to produce fruit without pollination. Get well soon.
On October 8, 2012 at 12:49 pm
jodiezoeller says:
Hope you feel better soon! :woof:
On October 8, 2012 at 1:00 pm
PattiLynn says:
So sawry yar a dyin’. :hug:
Lots of liquids, hot tea if you like or chicken soup. Lean into the heat and it’ll help the congestion. Lay around on the couch, watch an old movie, nod off, read a seed catalog make plans for over abundant gardens next year. Browse through the fruit tree section. Nod off…feel better soon!
On October 8, 2012 at 1:24 pm
bonita says:
Call the Boss Lady and explain that you’re not feeling well. A smart Boss Lady knows that if you try to work through a cold/flu it lingers longer and you and your work suffer. Taking a day or two off is much more cost effective!
Hope you feel better soon.
On October 8, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Jen says:
As if you have time on your hands… you can make green tomato relish with the tomatoes if you have enough.
On October 8, 2012 at 1:51 pm
whaledancer says:
Awww, sorry you’re feeling poorly. :hug: Rest and whining, sounds like you’ve got that covered. Now all you need is whatever spells comfort to you: hot tea? chicken soup? Fuzzy bunny slippers? And sympathy, plenty of sympathy. We’ve gotcha covered there. You’ve been going like a house afire for months; maybe being sick is the only way for you to get some rest. Listen to your body and do what it says. Take care.
On October 8, 2012 at 2:15 pm
twiggityNDgoats says:
Hope you feel better soon. Why is it one always has to get sick before we ever listen to our bodies? I agree with Whaledancer for sure. You need a BREAK!
On October 8, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Auntie Linda says:
I totally agree with Twiggity and Whaledancer – rest is the best thing for you right now. And tea (and brandy or whisky)! Take care of you!
On October 8, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Snapper119 says:
Feel better soon!
On October 8, 2012 at 7:53 pm
yvonnem says:
:heart:
On October 8, 2012 at 8:06 pm