In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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October 26, 2007

Another reader weighs in on fall bounty

Yesterday reader Bill Bird bragged about the continuing bounty from his vegetable garden, and another reader, Farmer Fred Hoffman, has responded.

"OK, I'm hungry now," Fred writes, "after seeing your wonderful pictures. That 'mother of all peppers' might be the Red Knight X3R; ours is also putting on a lot of heft right now. And yes, we are still enjoying
fresh tomato salads nightly.

"Among the surprise October performers is the Druzba. This heirloom was one of the first to produce eatable tomatoes back in late June and early July...beating out the Early Girl! And, it has made a fall comeback. The vine is filled with red, ripe tomatoes, with very little cracking and few blemishes...unusually nice looking for October tomatoes. Also, the Early Girl tomato, although smaller now, is looking good with lots of blemish-free and crack-free tomatoes. The tomato salads now are quite colorful, with the Druzba and the Lemon Boy, surrounded by fresh basil (the basil bed is going crazy right now), peppers and fresh mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil. The purple peppers look and taste outstanding right now, including the Tequila, Purple Beauty and Purple Marconi. Plus, the Jimmy Nardello has plenty of red, ripe sweet peppers currently; this one usually is productive all the way through November.

"I'm hoping (barring too many November frosts) that we can still be picking tomatoes for a Thanksgiving salad...If past history is any indication, the cherry tomatoes (Sweet Gold, Sweet Million) will still be producing then."

Thanks, Fred. Anyone else want to weigh in? Click on "answer a question," or send me an email at prubin@sacbee.com.

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