Long Summer

It's hit or miss if I get a fall garden planted. Our summer is so long, it hard to pull the veggie that are still healthy and productive. This year has been the longest summer I ever remember. I'm it's November, and I'm still getting tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumber. It's pretty amazing.  

I'm guessing you're in zone 9?

I live in zone 9A.  For the most part a blessing. As long as you know when to plant, you can grow almost everything.  Like all places it comes with challenges, but still an amazing place to grow.

I'm guessing that zones 8 and 9 are the "best" zones for the sheer number of things one can grow.  I think zone 9 might be slightly better than where I am in 8 because you can grow lots of things year round, and you can grow avacados, bananas and coffee beans, which we can't, and oranges too, that tipping point between zone 8 and zone 9 is a big one.

I keep thinking I need to get the rest of the summer veggies out, then I see a zucchini ready to pick. November 15, and I'm still getting zucchini, it's amazing. I still have a tomato that's producing and getting ripe. It's the one in the bed with the loofah. I think the loofah vine is giving the tomato protection from the cool night time temps. I'm not sure about that, but the only other tomato still going strong is a cherry tomato, and it's massive. I've decided to leave both tomatoes in until they die.  I have the space, and figure what have I got to loose? It would be cool if they survive the winter. I don't think that will happen, but you never know.  Wait I forgot I have 2 other tomatoes still producing. I planted both by seed quite late. Mountain magic I think.  It was supposed to be a small tomato, but was more cherry size. It was late to start production, but that was because I planted them so late. I haven't decided if they stay or go.  I also have basil that has normally bolted by now.  It's truly amazing 🤩.
An interesting side note.  A lot of people I know said it was a terrible year. There garden didn't do well at all.  I'm not an expert by any means, I make so many mistakes.  Even with the constant critter problems I have had, my garden did quite well.  People roll their eyes at me, disregard my advice, but I believe it's mostly about the soil. If you build healthy soil the plants can weather most storms. Heat, pests, or most any difficulty.  I believe the key to a great garden is healthy soil, polyculture of veggies, fruit, herbs and flowers. Don't give up, and don't try to be mother nature. When you see pest damage don't interfere. It's difficult, for some reason as humans we want to fix a perceived problem. If we wait most of the time something will come along and balance it out.  I'm not saying you should NEVER use organic pest control. I have cold pressed Neem oil, and BT (both are probably expired) just in case, but for about 4 years now I have not used anything in my garden except a little pure Castile soap and water on the beans this summer, and I think my son sprinkled a little diatomaceous earth on the kale (I wasn't going to do that, but he was trying to help).  Nothing works for everyone, but I truly believe this is the backbone of a great garden.

I'm in southern Indiana, zone 6 ish. We had salad with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil for supper last night.

N. Illinois and still getting tomatoes! Most of the plants got frosted a month ago but some are hanging in there. It's way late. Also getting lettuce, celery, parsley, rocket, but that's not so odd.

I'm thankful that our balcony is now getting more sunlight, I mean it will once the sun comes back come spring, because all the maple trees were finally pruned, so I think next year will be better for gardening for us, only a couple of plants did well this summer post-move.  The sunlight was so much better at my old apartment on the patio.

I'm happy for everyone who had a better gardening year.