Re: [CH] Extending the growing season

GarryMass@aol.com
Tue, 3 Oct 2000 23:22:08 EDT

In a message dated 10/03/00 9:09:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Dustymllr@aol.com writes:

<< The Cincinnati growing season is coming to a quick end.  The weather 
forecast 
 for this weekend is below freezing temperatures plus snow and rain.  (Today 
 it was 82.) >>
Debbie,
I hope you're hearing from others and not just me.  
Several points:
Yes, pulling and hanging produces several reds from the greens when you 
pulled them.  They ripen slowly for a long time.  If it's your only choice, 
then it's a good one.
Yes, digging them up and potting them will give you plants that will produce 
through Christmas, and might survive (as listers have been pointing out for 
two weeks) until next season with a little care.  Howsome-ever, Lord Byron 
will caution you about how easily the taproot gets damaged.  He's right of 
course, so it's important to saturate the soil before trying this dig-out.  
Roots slip more easily from mud than soil.
Since your daytime temps are 82, there's hope for many more warm days, 
THEREFORE,
despite the weather forecast, I'd dig up a few of my favorites and pot them.  
THEN, I'd run a sprinkler on my plants all night long on the forecasted cold 
nights, leaving it on the next morning until the sun melts the ice off the 
plants.  You'll likely be amazed how well the plants come through.
You could cover the plants with "Cs" made of conduit and stretch plastic over 
them and provide a space heater, but at what point does cost get to be silly? 
 BTW, I have done ALL of the above.  I'm going broke on charcoal for the 
smoker, for heaven's sake.  Someday soon, I'll start smoking the reds just as 
the forecast calls for frost and I'll smoke the reds under the plastic for 
the "still growings."
Gareth the ChileKnight