First Frost...

After a record setting hot summer, we woke up on Tuesday morning to our first frost...

It wasn't a hard, killing frost, but a sure reminder that the seasons do change, as always!  Our typical "frost date" here is around October 15th, so it really wasn't that early.  It's been flannel shirt and jeans weather in the barn (for me at least), and that's a welcome change...

The cows have been staying in overnight the past few days, and the tender plants on porches are gradually moving inside.

The puppies are spending their nights in the barn too.  They're seven weeks old now, have had their vet checks, first round of shots, etc, and are for sale, available for adoption next weekend!  They're so sweet...but I feel like the Mom of seven toddlers, continually counting heads when they're out for playtime.  Oh my.

The wear themselves out playing. Here they're playing tug of war with a dog toy...
(photo courtesy of my friend Denise who came to visit yesterday with her daughter)

...and then they crash...

Just like toddlers!

We're going to miss them when they're gone!

Frosty October Morning...

We had our first frost over night ...

...and it was a wee bit chilly this morning!

Frost Warning...

Brrrr...it's getting chilly out there tonight, and there's a chance of frost for the early morning tomorrow!

Before you say, "You should have known better..." let me ask you if you were tempted to get out there in your garden the past week or so, with the beautiful weather we've been having?  I thought so....   :)

I tried to be good, really I did, but I just couldn't help it.  The onions, potatoes, lettuce, radishes, and other cold weather plants have been doing great.  The rest of the garden looked so lonely, so after sitting my tomato plants out on the porch for a week or so, I decided to risk it, and plant them in the garden.  Last week, I dug out my sturdy, square tomato cages, and got my hands in the dirt.

A few days ago, I was at my favorite greenhouse, and we got to talking about how we might have frost this weekend.  I came home with some plastic bags that originally held some potter's mix.  I cut off the bottoms, and they slipped perfectly over my cages...a nice snug fit...

I then slipped another bag over the top, making a tent to protect my tomatoes and my over-eager gardening!   Tomorrow morning, I'll remove the bags, and save them in case I need to use them again.  (Thanks Jack!)

My green beans are up about two inches, but there's really nothing I can do to protect them.  If they freeze, I'll just have to replant.  I have plenty of leftover seeds, and they come up quickly, so while it might be disappointing, it won't be a tragedy.

On another note...

Gato found a new place to sleep...

Right in the middle of my new herb garden, on top of the garlic.  Of all the places he could have chosen.

Maybe he likes the smell?

Weekend Frost...

Ok, it feels really strange to be posting about our weekend frost, when the temps are currently in the high 60's.  Oh well...it really did happen.

I took these pictures the middle of last week, of what was still growing around here.

When I dug my potatoes a while back, there were a few sunburned ones that I left lay in the garden.  They rooted and began growing again, so I left them, just to see what would happen...

Serrano peppers galore...(anyone have any good uses for these in excess?)...

A few lonely tomatoes...

And my favorite...ripening raspberries...

Then on early Saturday morning we had a frost.  The tips of the leaves were just a little wilted, but on Sunday morning we had another frost, this one much harder.

The potatoes bit the dust, so I dug them this morning, and found only a few bite sized ones, barely an inch in diameter.  We'll see how they taste...

I think the peppers are finished...

...as are the tomatoes.  But then again, they never really got started for me...I can't grow tomatoes!!

The raspberries are fine...and I'm so glad.  I'm just learning about them, and this is the first year they've produced.  They survived being dug out by the dogs (!) early in the summer, and have been growing like weeds, producing large, juicy berries.

Last but not least, the frost certainly didn't affect these cuties.  Peanut's kitties are alive and well in the fodder mow.  Here are the boys...

...and the girls...

Anyone need a good barn cat (or two) to keep the mice at bay?  They're really sweet...honest!

Frost...

This past weekend the kids and I traveled to Virginia with family for my brother-in-law's Seminary graduation.  Before we left, I thought I had dotted all my "i's" and crossed all my "t's".  The tender plants were safe indoors...the laundry baskets were empty...the fridge was stocked...the instructions were written out for taking care of Jenna's goats and the chickens (not usually on Jim's "to do" list)...But did I even think twice about my potatoes?  Nope.

While we were there I saw a facebook post from a friend saying that her potatoes were damaged by a hard frost!

As soon as we got home last evening, I took a flashlight to the garden.  I was surprised, but happy to see that most of my potatoes seem to be okay.  My garden sits in an area that is protected from the harshest weather, so that was probably what saved them.  A few of them got hit pretty hard...

But if you look closely, the leaves on the bottom seem to be okay.  I'm hoping that they will pull through, but I don't know.

Most of the row seems to be in better shape than the one above.  Some leaves have brown edges, but they don't look too bad...

I've never had potatoes in this early, so I wasn't even thinking that they could be hurt by frost.  The last "frost date" in this area is May 15th, so I really shouldn't be surprised that it happened.  But the weather this spring has been so strange...you never know!

As for my friend who lost hers...I will share with you when mine are ready Alma!  Don't let me forget!!  :)

Frosty Morning...

It was cold enough that my fingers just about froze feeding calves and chickens this morning, but the beautiful frost was worthy of taking some pictures...

My amateur photography skills don't capture it at it's best, but it sure was beautiful!

Happy December!