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The farmer, the gardener, and even the homeowner or apartment dweller growing a few edibles in large pots— everyone anticipates the reward of fruit, produce, herbs, and flowers from their garden. For some, are in the middle of harvest time, depending on what was planted.

 

This is a good time to cover this topic. Blueberries are gone, pawpaws and pears are ripe for harvest, apples and watermelons are ripening, tomatoes are still producing, and now is time to plant turnips and other fall greens.

 

Acorns, walnuts, and other nuts are beginning to drop. Peaches and plums may be past their peak, but  jujubes are ripening and so are kousa dogwood and goji fruits.

 

Just about everyone I know seems to grow at least one tomato, either in a container, a flower bed, a raised bed, or a garden. This has been a good year for them in these parts. If it’s too hot at bloom time and they may not set fruits, but all I’ve seen have produced well this year.

 

In my neck of the woods, temperatures have been below normal for six summers, and the precipitation has been above normal. So there is no excuse not to have put out a tomato plant or two. It’s one fruit that squirrels and deer don’t seem to eat.

 

Cantaloupe and watermelons are probably ripe about now. Pumpkins and fall squash could be ripe if planted as early as possible, but usually, growers hold off until June to plant those crops for the fall decoration. Usually, later fruits keep into winter better. 

 

It may be time to harvest potatoes, although the yams are a month away.

 

Prognosticators sometimes use old-timey clues, such as the time the first katydid hollers, how high the hornet’s nests are, and the color of wooly worms, to predict how snowy and cold the upcoming winter may be. From what I gather, all signs are pointing to a normal winter, though after some mild winters a normal one may be considered really bad by some of the younger folks.

 

The squirrels have again disrupted a number of fruit crops. Deer have eaten some limbs, leaves and twigs from a lot of fruit trees. Raccoons, groundhogs and bears have been a torment for some folks.

 

If you’ve raised a garden or have a tree with plentiful apples or other fruits, be sure to harvest your crop. Or, if you don’t have time or don’t like the flavors, maybe offer an invite to some neighbors to collect some of your largesse.

 

I encourage my readers to grow edibles in the landscape. If you have, then you certainly don’t want to sleep through harvest time. Happy harvesting and eating.

 

The author is a landscaper. Call 606 416 3911 or visit www.rockcastles.net.