108 degrees! Bad for veggies!
The summer of 2011 was HoTTTTTT!
These are the statistics for summer 2011.
Number of Days of 100 degrees or higher in DFW in 2011: 47
Consecutive Days of 100 degrees or higher in 2011: 40
Other interesting facts:
Days over 100 Degrees in 1980: 69
Consecutive Days Over 100 in 1980: 42
My family and I could manage in triple digits up to 103 degrees. Neither the garden nor, we could make it in 108 degrees. No matter how often we watered the garden, the squash, watermelons, and cucumbers could not take the heat; they withered and gave up on living. The tomatoes and bell pepper plants survived but would not produce any fruit or veggies. I was very
discouraged, but the spouse insisted we keep watering. The water kept them alive only, but the plants just could not produce.
The one thing I know for sure about gardening is that there is nothing better for plants than rain. I call it
God's natural fertilizer. I remember on August 11, 2011, it rained. I was so happy; I ran outside with the girls and just ran around in it. It reminded me of stories of the Dust Bowl. The official total for the Dallas/DFW are was 0.86 inch and we were grateful. This rainfall also broke the triple digit streak just two days shy of previous record.
One type of tomato that was a result of 108-degree weather is green tomatoes. (Like the ones pictured below) I mean tons of green tomatoes. Well, not exactly tons, but many, many green tomatoes.
Consecutive Days of 100 degrees or higher in 2011: 40
Other interesting facts:
Days over 100 Degrees in 1980: 69
Consecutive Days Over 100 in 1980: 42
My family and I could manage in triple digits up to 103 degrees. Neither the garden nor, we could make it in 108 degrees. No matter how often we watered the garden, the squash, watermelons, and cucumbers could not take the heat; they withered and gave up on living. The tomatoes and bell pepper plants survived but would not produce any fruit or veggies. I was very
discouraged, but the spouse insisted we keep watering. The water kept them alive only, but the plants just could not produce.
The one thing I know for sure about gardening is that there is nothing better for plants than rain. I call it
God's natural fertilizer. I remember on August 11, 2011, it rained. I was so happy; I ran outside with the girls and just ran around in it. It reminded me of stories of the Dust Bowl. The official total for the Dallas/DFW are was 0.86 inch and we were grateful. This rainfall also broke the triple digit streak just two days shy of previous record.
One type of tomato that was a result of 108-degree weather is green tomatoes. (Like the ones pictured below) I mean tons of green tomatoes. Well, not exactly tons, but many, many green tomatoes.
Green tomatoes harvested in late fall after Thanksgiving.
There were a few ripe tomatoes. Some as small as a blueberry.
When life gives you green tomatoes, make pickles!
The day before the first freeze, the girls and picked all the green tomatoes.
There were so many, I did not know what to do. A friend was visiting one day
and suggested I make pickles. Great idea, except I did not know how. I made a
quick call to Mom and got a recipe and directions. After a few hours, I pickled
green tomatoes. I put some carrots in some jars. I gave some as gifts. And I
continue to eat them myself. It was a relief not to lose the whole crop of
tomatoes.
There were so many, I did not know what to do. A friend was visiting one day
and suggested I make pickles. Great idea, except I did not know how. I made a
quick call to Mom and got a recipe and directions. After a few hours, I pickled
green tomatoes. I put some carrots in some jars. I gave some as gifts. And I
continue to eat them myself. It was a relief not to lose the whole crop of
tomatoes.
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Pickled Green Tomatoes8 C. tomatoes 2 medium onions 2 sweet peppers-red, green, yellow or mixed (I used carrots) ½ C. salt 3 C. of sugar 3 C. of white or red vinegar 1 tsp. celery seed 1 tsp. mustard seeds Chop vegetables to desired size, then place in large bowl. Cover vegetables with ice for 3 hours. Drain. In pot, place sugar, vinegar, celery seeds, and mustard seeds. Bring to boil, then add tomatoes and boil for one minute. Put in heated mason jars and seal. |
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