It is Fall and Frost is Coming

a wonderful fall season view of Mascoma Lake in Enfield NH - October 2011

It is sad to know that gardening in New England is almost over. But there are things that gardeners can do at this point: planting the fall crop like garlic and tulips.

In our project we were protecting and saving our plants and fruits from the cold days, in some cases using special cloths and harvesting green tomatoes. I know that there are excellent recipes. Dianne Langley, one of the LUMC members will share with us one of her favorites.

the last harvesting, lots of green tomatoes.

Al Langley's Grammy Green Tomato Relish 

8 qt. ground green tomatoes,     1 c. salt, 1 medium cabbage, 

6 green peppers,     5 red peppers

6 onions,      3 qt white or cider vinegar 

8 c. sugar    2 tbsp celery seed

2 tbsp mustard seed       1 tbsp whole cloves

Mix green tomatoes with salt; let drain in cheesecloth overnight. Grind cabbage, pepper and onions. mix in large kettle and then add vinegar and sugar. Tie spices in small bag and  put in with the mixture. Cook until well cooked. Seal in hot jars. 

Enjoy! 

Comment: I got the entire book of recipes from lovely Dianne Langley as a gift, she wrote nicely her personal comments in most of the recipes, and of course she shared with me the jar of Green Tomato Relish! - THANK YOU!!!

The cook book from Dianne Langley, now belongs to me! - I love her notes.

The dedication inside the book: 

"To dear Laly, The green tomato recipe is in the book. I love to cook and I love cook books. This is one I was on the 'cookbook' committee. I have made many notes and may you enjoy many of them. // You have been such a joy, I love your bright eyes and big smile. I will miss you. Thank you for all the 'extra' things you've done. Next year I hope to have a small garden and when I plant it I will think of you and YES I will talk to my plants (-: 

(...) Thank you again for all the talks, laughs and sharing with me. God be with  you, we love you." - Dianne and Al Langley

I am so touched!!!

Dianne Langley and I, behind us her husband Al. 

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6
In the afternoon, covered with warm clothing, we picked all that was left, the last harvesting. Now the garden was put in rest until the next season, although we planted green manure, which began to grow to enhance the soil. 

Pastor Jill and Isaiah helping out in the garden.

Weeding, harvesting and foot traffic in most home gardens tends to destroy soil structure. Planting cover crops is an easy way to revitalize the soil and help soil to produce a better plant growth.

Once the garden was cleaned up, we sowed rye winter seeds.

Rye Winter seeds. Good to plant between August and October. 

It can grow at low pH and at cool temperatures

Cover crops help to retain the soil, lessen erosion, and decrease the impact of precipitation on the garden by slowing the runoff of water. They also reduce mineral leaching and compaction, and suppress perennial and winter annual weed growth. The top growth adds organic matter when later it is tilled into the garden soil. The cover crop's root system also provides organic matter and opens passageways that help improve air and water movement in the soil.