For people who want to grow more food with less work. đ± This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribersâhere's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."
tomatoes not ripening? here's what's happening
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This summer has been one for the record books across the country. đ„” I've never been so hot allllll summer in Bend, Oregon, than I have this summer. We usually get a week or two of 95+ degree (°F) weather, but this year it started in June and didn't cool off until this past week. My husband has been waking up at 6am to tackle yard work before the day's heat sets in, and I usually don't make my way to the garden until 6pm, my favorite time to be out there these days. (Gardening through dusk is the bestâit's a really different feel when everything has settled down.) Because of the heat, we didn't start our greenhouse project as we'd hoped to this summer. But the new plan is to start building it this monthâwe just have to cross our fingers we don't get any freak early freezes! Heat spells don't just affect people (and projects) however. Many vegetable cropsâin particular, tomatoesâhave a tough time when temperatures get above 85°F to 90°F. Maybe you've noticed this in your own garden? Tomatoes ripen best in surprisingly cooler temps than most people think. (And if you're wondering whether light has anything to do with it: no, sunlight is not necessary for ripening.) If it feels like you have tons of green tomatoes but they're taking their sweet time turning red...
Seasonal tips(Pssst... Use code EXTRA25 at Trees.com to get an extra 25% off your orderâon top of the 60% off select trees, shrubs, perennials, and houseplants throughout their site! Code expires Monday, September 7.) P.S. If it feels like your tomatoes are taking forever to ripen, here's what's happening and what you can do to speed things along. P.P.S. Summer's not over yet. There's still time for road tripping (without the crowds, woohoo), grilling, and enjoying food, friends and family outside. Let one of my books inspire your next meal:â |
Garden Betty
For people who want to grow more food with less work. đ± This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribersâhere's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."