It’s been raining off and on for the past two days and all I can think about are all the winter squash sitting out in the field. All alone and hoping some critter doesn’t come along and take a bit out of each one of them. Gardening Zone 6a in Coastal Maine made me anxious this moment.
That would be awful. But not unthinkable. It’s happened before.
My giant blue hubbard squash and most of the butternuts still need another week or two before they’re ready to be picked though, so I’m hoping they stay away long enough so we’ll get to harvest all of them.
My beautiful hubbard is about 1 1/2 shoe lengths and I told the HH that I bet it’s a 15 pounder. I’m planning on turning it into pies. In my new oven. That should be here in less than 3 weeks. I’M SO EXCITED!!!
The butternuts are looking mighty fine too. We’ve got a dozen or so out in the field.
We do have three late bloomers though that I don’t think will make it in time before the first frost.
My Long Island cheese pumpkin. It’s a real beauty. I have 2 big ones and 2 little babies out in the lasagna garden and I plan to use those for pies this winter as well.
We’ve already pulled up all the tomato plants in the kitchen garden as well as the religious family garden but there are still a few volunteers going strong in the lasagna garden.
Who knows… maybe I’ll have enough to make a batch of salsa verde for the pantry.
The first day of fall is tomorrow… and man oh man does it ever feel like it. With daily temps now in the mid 60’s it’s almost time to put the flannel sheets on the bed, move the sweaters to the front of the closet and start up the wood stove again.
My anxiety is now getting better for Gardening Zone 6a in Coastal Maine.
And I couldn’t be happier.
Fall. I think it’s my favorite season. 😉
~Mavis
P.S. Did you grow pumpkins and winter squash this year? How are they doing? Have you harvested yours yet?
Jennifer says
Would you believe I was flabbergasted to read tomorrow is the first day of fall?!? It crept up on me. Here in NC its supposed to be 90, but will drop to the mid 70s for the rest of the week. Ready for some milder temps.
Laura Z says
Yep. I’m in NC too. It was 91 here yesterday. The poor workers at Lowe’s were sweating up a storm while putting out mums and the Christmas displays are already going up! Have you seen the the It’s A Southern Thing video called “When It’s Fall in the South?” That pretty much sums it up. 🙂
Jennifer says
Yep, that’s life here too. We moved to the Charlotte area after a few years in West Jefferson and it’s a big change.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
Hi Laura Z and Jennifer. Another North Carolinian here, from the coast. Hot, hot, hot even here, with still high humidity. I was in Charlotte for 20 years, so I know how hot it can be there! Cooling down here starting on Friday to mid 70s also, with a couple of low 80s days mixed in the forecast. Despite loving the beach, looking forward to lower temps as well.
Jennifer says
Lynn, our son graduated from Chapel Hill last year and moved to St. Pete – said when it dropped below 70, it felt chilly to him.
Dianne says
It is 90 today in central Ohio. Looking forward to the upper 60s and lowers 70’s for the upcoming week. Yes, it is already Fall. Can’t believe it!
Grove says
Noticed the Altra shoes. I am wearing Altra shoes right now and picked up 3 pair when visiting Utah this year. I love the wide toe box and they are very comfortable. It’s still 90 degrees today is SC, so fall is coming buy doesn’t feel like it yet. love your blog.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love the toe box in the Altra shoes, very roomy and the shoes aren’t to bulky either which is nice.
Dianne says
Wore those in the 70’s – earth shoes back then. Can’t remember the Brand, though. Very fashionable in our wrap around skirts and danskins one piece body suit with snaps!
Can’t wait to see the Blue Hubbard pies!
Teri says
Where did you buy your shoes? Are they true to size? They look comfy!
Mavis Butterfield says
They had them at a local sporting goods store but you can buy them online as well. REI sells them and I think Amazon does too. I normally wear an 8.5 in athletic shoes but wear an 8 in Altra.
Teri says
Thank you!
Christie says
We just returned from our beach vacation and I’m so not ready for fall. The garden is showing signs though. The basil is on it’s way out, the green beans are done, the peppers are slowing but the tomatoes are still going strong. Most of the pumpkins didn’t make it (slugs, squash bugs, etc). Still a successful summer with lots of goodies stashed away in the freezer and in jars for the winter.
Bethany says
Our winter squashes did fairly well here in 5b by Boothbay. Lots of beetles, but managed to keep them at bay. Picked tomatoes early because of end rot. My friends’ farm also fell victim to rot this year. Beginning of season was so dry.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m glad your squashes made it. We had a lot of beetles too so I think we did okay.
Linda says
Our patch of Sweet Greek squash is very productive this year, but just like you, we’re hoping for another couple weeks for them to ripen more. Last count, and we know there are hidden gems under exuberant vines, was 28 big, luscious squash. As Sweet Greek is very rare and we want seeds for years to come, it’s the only squash or pumpkin we planted.
Diane, I’ll be in contact when seeds are harvested.
We pulled about 1/3 of the garden yesterday. There is still celery, kale, chard, tomatoes and over zealous Lazy Housewife beans growing. Pinto and cannellini beans are podded and dried, the water bath canned is packed up but still planning on pressure canning dried beans.
It’s been a wonderfully productive season.
Mavis Butterfield says
28! What a harvest!!!
Margo says
Hoping for cooler temps soon. Mid eighties today, but expecting 90 and above this coming week. Really needing to transplant my fall seedlings soon. Going to see some carrots and scallions today and continue prepping the raised beds for fall and winter veggies. Arborist coming today to look at my overgrown mandarin orange tree for pruning. Garden on!
Angie says
My butternut squash did not make it unfortunately. The heat and buckets of rain – poor things. We harvested loads of zucchini and yellow squash though so I will take that as a trade off. Gardening – some times you win, some times you lose. I keep going though. I love it so much! Watching things grow in the seasons….it’s the best!
Nancy Settel says
oh I see those green tomatoes and all I can think is fried green tomatoes. Tomato harvest is just about done here in Delaware for tomatoes so don’t think we will get to have any more this year. darn.
Christy says
Where in DE? I just over the line, like 3 miles into PA. Might have a couple of straggler tomatoes left but not much. Stink bugs were problematic for me.
Lynn Y says
I’ve already ordered my seeds for next year’s garden. What is your all-time favorite tomato, your best BLT tomato and best canning tomato?
Kayla says
I vote for Sungold Cherry Tomato as my family’s all time favorite cherry type.
I can’t weigh in on the rest… Nobody likes BLTs at my house, the crazy heathens… but they are my heathens and hopefully will grow out of it.
Mavis Butterfield says
BLT : Purple Cherokee Canning: San Marzano.
Nancy says
Any hints on when butternut squash is ready? We’ve been cleaning out our raised beds. Supposed to be in the low 30s tomorrow night here in Northern Wisconsin.
Mavis Butterfield says
Harvest before last frost. Harvest when you can barely pierce the skin with your fingernail and the stems are dry and cork like. To harvest, cut squash off the vine, leaving about 2″ of vine on the squash.
https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-grow-winter-squash/
Nancy D says
Bunnies and deer are hard on our squash plants -leaves and squash. Deer and rabbit spray works great for us. Can you find a home made version maybe? When I miss a spot the next morning there’s leaves gone and squash gobbled.
Kippy says
Squash did awful here. One butternut is all that is growing. The plants seem to be producing only male blossoms otherwise.
Would placing chicken wire or burlap over the squash deter critters until you harvest?
Teri says
Holy Cow your sunflowers are TALL and beautiful!
Kim says
Our temps are running in the high 90’s still. So, I read your blog and dream of rainy, cool fall days. Sigh…….
Gigi says
My pumpkins are looking good in 5b. I even had a volunteer pumpkin show up in the lawn in spring and I set out some stakes to protect it. It’s got some powdery mildew, but hasn’t seemed to slow down. My tomatoes are winding down. Zucchini’s are still going strong! I haven’t been able to harvest except about every 2 weeks and they’re huge. I just shred down and freeze. Maybe I’ll dehydrating. I am still getting peppers upon peppers (which no one eats).
I’m happy considering the garden doesn’t get much attention other than the automatic sprinkler.
Gigi says
Forgot to add. Black walnuts are just starting to fall, so we’re gathering those.