We are having an unusually warm fall. It has been so warm that I have not yet brought out the boxes of winter clothes, the fall decorations, or started winterizing the horse pens. I think everyone in our house is getting anxious for the temperatures to dip, but there is one benefit to the warm weather:
Everything is continuing to produce fruit. Even the strawberries!
I planted the ever bearing Quinault variety and have been amazed at how long they have supplied us with fruit. I am convinced that they are not going to stop bearing strawberries until they are covered in snow. They have also produced a lot of runners (I haven’t counted but my best guess is over 100). I will use some to start a new bed and the rest I will give to friends to start their own strawberry beds.
We have had an incredible pear and apple harvest this year. I bring in a basket of apples every time I come in from the garden. I have had fun experimenting with making apple sauce in the pressure cooker and will share the final recipe soon. My next experiment is to make and can apple pie filling. If you have canned apple pie filling before, please leave me tips in the comment section. This is my husband’s idea and it will be my first time trying it. I have had several offers to eat the rejects, so I don’t feel too much pressure to master it on the first attempt.
My arugula and lettuces are starting to come up. I planted my fall greens a little late, so there has been a gap in home grown salad production, but it won’t be too much longer before we are enjoying fresh greens in our salads.
How is your garden growing? Did you decide to plant a fall crop, or did you decide that you have neglected your house long enough? My husband and I are thinking about buying a 8×10 green house. But if I garden year round, when will I get to my mending?
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Carla says
I used to have a friend who made up the pies and froze them. You may not have that kind of room but it was so nice to have a ready-made dessert.
The Book Lady Online says
As always, your garden is an inspiration. What a lovely basket of garden produce and your strawberries – well, all I an say is "wow"!
Lori says
Oh my, your baskets of goodies look wonderful!!! 🙂 Isn't it a great feeling to harvest anything???
Shana says
i think you do such an awesome job gardening!
Alea says
Jane,
Thank you, that sounds like a great compromise between the various methods I have read about.
-Alea
The Thrifty Countrywoman says
Alea, we pulled up all the zucchini and eggplants. They were done after we had an unexpected frost in August. I used to can apple pie filling by slicing the apples up and layering them with the sugar and spices, then letting it set in the fridge over night to make it's own syrup. Just heat it up and pack in the sterilized jars and process. Don't know if this the recommended way anymore though.
Jane
LadyMacbeth86 says
That basket of fruits and veggies looks so beautiful, they barely look real! Keep up the good gardening work!