Either I'm really getting old or I'm simply a chronic complainer - (or both) - but I am really not looking forward to the cold season that has been sprung on us. I am so not ready for boots and hats and mitts! :( But last night, my cold toes were the least of our worries. With the threat of temperatures dipping in the 20's - my sons' garden was in peril. So, they did what every produce grower does around here - sets out to save those lovely tomatoes before old Jack Frost could get to them. Usually that means throwing a sheet over and hope for the best. But that was just not good enough for my young entrepreneurs. Nope. They had to make sure their investment was safe. So they worked til the wee hours doing things by the book (or by the world wide web) - and then some.
First, they watered the base of all the plants til we nearly ran out of water. Then they filled buckets with water and set them on the ground which was now an acre of mud. Then they mounted a small space heater on a block of wood, set it in the middle and turned it on 'high'. (If it fell, it would plop into the wet mud, so we weren't too worried) Then they covered all the plants they could with plastic from top to bottom. And then, they prayed.
The next morning we awoke to the grass blanketed with white crunchy icy frost, and all the leaves everywhere that weren't covered were black and dead from the 28 degree temps. A collective gasp was heard as we stared out the window. The boys donned their hats and boots and ran out the door. Yes, the tomatoes were saved!! Hallelujah! It was well worth the effort. There are so many tomatoes still on the vines, we could not let them perish. We need them for salsa, salads, spaghetti sauce and for our version of BLT's - TLT's. Tofu, Lettuce and Tomato!! MMM!!!
So, thank you once again to the internet for helping us to find out how to do things. It never ceases to amaze me.
Now, if only we could find out how to stave off winter completely . . .
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