Summer seems to have ended abruptly here in the northwest.
Instead of the usual warm, glow of Indian Summer, we have gray skies and rain. Which is actually pretty typical for this region, just not at this particular time of year. (I just put up last year's autumn banner to remind myself what "autumn splendor" is supposed to look like.)
But despite the weird weather, it's still "harvest time" here in my kitchen. I've been drying bundles of herbs, filling spice jars, and making more pickles. And keeping my fingers crossed that the remaining tomatoes still hanging on the vine will soon ripen. At the moment, those green globes are in suspended animation and may never turn red. We even built a make-shift greenhouse for them this year to see if it made any difference. Grace planted lots of different varieties as an experiment to find out what works for our own little micro-climate; soil, water, exposure.
We did see an improvement. But it hasn't been a stellar year for tomatoes in general. The reason being, the sun was clouded or it cooled down too much at night. The pickling cucumbers, however, grew to astounding proportions in no time at all and with little effort. In contrast to the broccoli, which suddenly bloomed (while we were away for a few days), then quickly went to seed. A few steps away the pole beans are still producing faster than we can cook them.
It's always hit or miss with a home garden it seems. We keep trying, and we keep learning in the process though. Perhaps its time to consult the gool ol' Farmer's Almanac.
PRODUCE looks amazing and that kitty--may be stealing some:)
Posted by: Sara | September 08, 2010 at 06:42 AM
Vicki, you can pick your tomatoes green and ripen them inside on a window sill or the counter. It is the warmth that ripens them more so than just sunshine.
The sun gives warmth when you can see it, but lately there isn't much of it. I have taken tomatoes inside and it does work.
Hugs
Posted by: Yvette | September 08, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Hey Vicki! Love your garden pics...and that kitty is precious! I live in Sonoma County, CA and this has been the weirdest summer for us. Incredibly mild, and sometimes downright cold. Once school started again, we got a couple short little heat waves. I've gotten a lot of zucchini this summer, and bush beans, but the lemon cucumbers I put in have been stubborn. Probably got about 4 so far...lol. We only got two pumpkins, and they are already fully orange. I have tons of tomatoes on the vine, but they are still green. I wonder if you can make pickles with green tomatoes? Tried the fried green ones, but my family didn't dig em. :)
Anyway, as always, your blog is lovely!
Kate
Posted by: Kate | September 08, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Pick your tomatos and put them into a brown paper bag and they will ripen.
Posted by: judyk2310 | September 08, 2010 at 09:40 AM
I'm ripening tomatoes on my kitchen windowsill. Hope that that might work for you. Nothing better than homegrown tomatoes. If I never eat one of those cardboard imposters again, it will be fine with me. Your header is so beautiful and those turkeys are perfect!
Posted by: Vee | September 08, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Dear Vicki: Growing tomatoes in San Francisco is always a dodgy business. And this year is the pits! If you have the room, you can just cut off the tomato vines at ground level and hang them from the ceiling of a garage or out building and they will ripen. Kind of like drying herbs. This is especially good for cherry tomato varieties. Pattie in San Francisco
Posted by: Pattie in San Francisco | September 08, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Love the new old banner! Ahhh, Fall. :-)
Posted by: Brandy | September 08, 2010 at 01:06 PM
I also ripen my tomatoes on the window sill, and they do perfectly.
Posted by: Heather | September 08, 2010 at 02:39 PM
Well of course it was sooo hot the two days I was in OR but now it is back to cool, fall weather. It is busy havest time. Actully I love this time of year!! Clarice
Posted by: clarice | September 09, 2010 at 08:41 AM
As others have posted, I too ripen the last of my tomatoes in the window sill. They taste just as good as the ones that ripen on the vine. I'm glad to see that all is going well with you and your lovely homey routine. I look forward to seeing your dill pickles. :-)
Congratulations on your new book!
Posted by: Velma | September 10, 2010 at 07:18 PM
congratulations on another lovely book!
Posted by: charlotte lyons | September 12, 2010 at 10:40 AM
This has felt like one of the oddest summers here. It seemed that the feeling of summer never really arrived...or rather it did, but it just sort of flitted in and out again. I'm hoping that the autumn feels true.
Your produce is still quite lovely, and pretty amazing, everything considered.
All my best,
Lena
Posted by: Lena | September 13, 2010 at 09:06 AM