Summer of 2009 started cold and wet here in New England. Our tomatoes, pumpkins, and blueberries suffered badly with the worst late blight in years. Though late blight is named for a fungus that usually shows up later in summer. This year we had an early outbreak, before our weather turned warmer and drier in August and September. We now have reports of a fine apple crop, and though we hear sad stories form many pumpkin growers, this writer had his best pumpkin years in years. I guess I lucked out a bit.. I certainly had my worst tomato season ever, and am concerned about my fungus riddled blueberry leaves. Let’s talk about the fun stuff.
I was very happy to get home from my 3 day jury duty last week to find a Jeep full of Mums. Janet took it on herself to hit up Shaws great selection of mums at a reasonable price to decorate our yard. I am also happy to report that my pumpkin garden produced abut 4 fruits per vine, I had three main vines.
One of the vines, I sent over to our neighbors. I told the kids next door, that any pumpkin on your side is yours. Sam and Max were happy to harvest their shore last Saturday.
Sam was happy to do the snipping. He even named this pumpkin.. “Humungo”. Thanks Sam, but we know in this age of 300 pounders, “Humungo” is just big enough for a cute little Jacko.
A walk around town shows some summer Gardens still thriving, this one is one North River Lane in Scituate MA.
And I Love these fall blooming flowers that look like daisies. I have to get some of these.. what are they called.
I am sure I could find the answer in West Springfield where The Big E is in it’s 92d year of fun and farming.
As October arrives, so does another spotty frost throughout New England. To me Garden Season never ends, the chores just change. Time now to prune the wilted perenniels down to the ground.
Ben will soon be diggiing up the Dahlia Tubers for winter storage here at Barney’s in Duxbury MA.
I am turning over my grass compost to make room for the leaves. All the blighted vines are going to the town grinder. I hear that the blight can heat to death in compost and/or freeze to death in winter. New spores ‘develop’ in the spring.
The forecast also calls for the first touch of snow on our tallest mountains Wednesday. If we get the clouds to break we may have views of Red and Orange Foliage with White on top Thursday or Friday. Bad news is we have a wet forecast Saturday into early Sunday. The sun should return as we hit peak foliage in our mountains early next week. The forecast for Columbus Day Weekend is great color, but we have to wait a bit to make the call on what weather to expect.
Hi,Tim! mums are gorgeous-love the pics-I was lucky enough to find some colorful mums to plant as well this year. had no luck with pumpkins-bumper crop of tomatoes though and some are rebudding-and it’s October-off to my fall planting
Mr Kelly: I’m a big fan of your weather wiles, and I also help out my friends at Barney’s Gas in Duxbury where the dalias run wild. My garden suffered from the tomato blight this year in a very big way, yet my cherry tomatos seemed to thrive and were completly unaffected. Indeed, I harvested far more than I could ever hope to eat. Same with my many varieties of peppers. I’m hoping for a better year next. Best wishes, John.
Had great luck with the dahlias this year and they are still going strong. Thanks for the exposure on your weather segment last week, Tim! Lots of positive comments.
Fantastic Website, and always a fun read. Only discovered it late this summer, but it’s in my Favorites for keeps now.
Here in Saco, Maine we had our first killing freeze last night. It was an abysmal year for tomatoes; I planted bell peppers too early and they basically shut off the most of the summer. The zucchini only gave 3 all summer, and the melons underwhelmed. But bumper crops of strawberries & greenbeans helped salvage the year. And I’m excited to pull a carrot or two out of the ground now and then until the ground freezes.
Every time I learn something about gardening, I find how much I still don’t know. And I love it all. Already excited for next year, and looking forward to getting some great tips here.
The late blooming flowers you mention above are “Montauk Daisies”. I planted some last fall on the recommendation of a master gardner I probed for some late color bloomers and these were among his suggestions. Mine are still blooming in southern Maine!
Thanks Colleen, I am getting some ‘Montauk Daisies” for our garden!
Best, Tim