The growing season may be finishing up this year, but it is still a busy time of the year for the home gardener. Hardscaping as well as gardening and landscaping maintenance can be done in preparation for the next growing season and also to maintain yard beauty throughout the winter months.
Some Suggested End-of-Season Chores:
• Plant perennials. Check with your local nursery to be certain the plant you are considering with thrive with a fall planting.
• Prune existing perennials.
• Remove seed pods, also called deadheading. For non-hybrid varieties, it is a great way to have seeds ready for next year.
• If you have rainbarrels, clean them out, dry them out and bring them in. If you leave them outside, it is likely that they will crack. With a little care, they should last decades.
• If you are planting cool season grass, now is the time! Any fertilizing on existing lawns should be done right before a rain.
• Be sure to clean your garden tools. Sterilize, sand, oil and sharpen as needed.
• Don’t leave gas in your lawn mower tank over the winter.
• If you want fresh greens throughout the winter, now is the time to assemble a cold frame.
• Create a wish list. Now that the season is ending, this is a good time to write down what you want for next year while it’s fresh in your mind. You may want to distribute the list in December, too.
Have Your End-of-the-Year Tomatoes Available in the Winter
Be sure to get your tomatoes picked before their vines are killed by the frost, probably mid-October. Green tomatoes can either be put in a cool, dark place or a brown paper bag to finish ripening. You do have the option to can or freeze green tomatoes.
If you choose to freeze them with the intention of frying them in the cold winter months, wash, core and then slice the tomatoes ¼-inch thick. Pack the slices into a freezer tight container with freezer wrap between the layers. Leave a half-inch headspace. Seal and freeze; when you want to cook them in the winter, just remove what you need for that one meal. This is an easy way to keep green tomatoes available year round.
If you get overwhelmed with red cherry tomatoes at the end of the season, here’s a simple way to have them available for winter cooking. Remove the stem, wash and drain them. Place on a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze. Once they become hard tomato “marbles” store them in freezer bags. They can be cooked into soups, stews, roasts, scrambles, etc.
(These tips were supplied by retiring Rutherford County Extension Agent Pat Whitaker in her Farmer’s Market class, Tomato Talk.)
The Farmer’s Market classes continue through the end of October. These classes are free, open to the public and held at the Lane Agricultural Center on John Rice Blvd. They start at 9 a.m. and last approximately one hour.
Farmer’s Market Class Schedule
Oct. 7
Woody Ornamental Planting
Justin Stefanski, Wilson County Extension Agent
Get ready to revitalize your landscape by learning to plant, prune and care for woody ornamentals.
Oct. 10
Discovering Olive Oil
Jim and Peggy Hunt, Epicurean Olive Oil Company
Olive oil is nature’s own beneficial way to health and the foodie’s best friend.
Oct. 14
Mushroom Gardening
Floyd Adams, Certified Master Gardener
Learn to grow your own bed of mushrooms at home.
Oct. 17
Lasagna Gardening (Raised Beds)
Linda Lindquist, Certified Master Gardener
The easy, no-digging, no-tilling way to create a garden bed your flowers or veggies will love!
Oct. 21
Reducing & Recycling
Mimi Kiesling, Rutherford County Environmental Education
Let’s uncover the mysteries and myths, and learn to reduce waste at home.
Oct. 24
Starting a Home Vineyard
Tony Johnston, MTSU
Thinking of growing grapes for the table or making wine? Learn how to plan for success.
Oct. 28
Pumpkin Time
Pat Whitaker, Rutherford County Extension Agent
Impress your family and guests with these elegant pumpkin and winter squash recipes.
Oct. 31
Make Your Own Potpourri
Linda Lindquist, CMG
Freshen your home naturally. Makes great gifts, too!
Spring 2015
The annual Plant Swap organized by the Master Gardeners of Rutherford County is currently scheduled for May 2. You may bring plants, seedlings or seeds to swap and leave with an equal quantity. There are educational classes offered during the swap. Mark your calendars now and be thinking about the excess plants that you can dig up next spring and trade. The swap is held at the Lane Agricultural Center and is a morning event.
The Farmers Market will reopen next spring. If you are a local producer of plants or animals or products from either, there are mandatory training classes offered in the winter months.
Free, educational classes will continue to be offered during the market season. If you have a special interest in a farmer, gardening, landscape or food facet, you may propose a one-hour class for consideration.
Inquiries on any of these topics should be directed to Rutherford County Extension Agent Janie Becker at (615) 898-7710 or jbecker8@utk.edu.
For more information about the Rutherford County Farmers Market, including a list of other upcoming classes, or to sign up for the emailed UT Extension Newsletter specific to Rutherford County, visit extension.tennessee.edu/rutherford.
