This week we have seen the coldest weather of the fall season. The temperature has dipped close to freezing and at least one morning there was a light frost. A little snow fell midweek, but melted in just a few hours. It is now 4 P.M. Friday, the sun is out and it is 40 degrees F.
Gulf frittillaries larva are still on the passionvine and we are seeing many more cabbage white butterfly larva on the broccoli and cabbage. Aphids are appearing on the underside of the leaves as well. Aphids and cabbaged white larva need to be removed.
This week we mulched the vegetables and went inside to discuss the movement of heat and how mulch acts as an insulator, keeping heat in the ground in winter and heat out of the ground in summer.
In the next few weeks before December break we need to be watching for pests and applying plant food. Pull weeds if you have any. Most crops do not look close to maturing, but if the sun stays out and temperatures aren't too low the plants will grow fast. But harvest looks to be in January.
(photos: Barbara Uskovich)
