With widespread frost in the forecast for this weekend, it looks like the growing season is about to draw to a close. I’m enjoying a hot mug of tea indoors on this chilly morning, but this afternoon, I’ll head out into the warm sunshine to harvest the last of the summer veggies and cover the still-ripening squash.

Tomorrow will be your last chance for cucamelons, jalapenos, and possibly some tomatoes and celery, and I’ll have green tomatoes for frying, too! If you want cucamelons, come early, because they tend to sell out quickly.

Make sure to grab a pint of jalapenos or two. You can dehydrate or freeze them to use until next year’s crop comes in. Freezing is super easy: just slice the jalapenos (maybe wear gloves for this) and spread them on a cookie sheet, pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, until they start to harden, then dump them into a lidded container and put them back in the freezer. When you’re simmering a pot of chili on the stove this winter, add a few of those jalapeno slices for an extra kick!

I’ll have the last of the dilly beans, too, as well as notecards and my knitted and crocheted items. All of these make great gifts (yep, it’s almost that time of year again!).

See you at the market!