winding up summer

Fall is basically already here in the Poconos, with temperatures dipping into the low 50's every night. My yard is already full of beech nuts and black cherries, and the animals that eat them. I hear the turkeys every day and the bear has been here several nights. Now is the time to cut back the tops of your tomatoes if you haven't done it already..give that fruit a little extra nutrients for a short grow time that is left. I also am harvesting and drying my herbs....the lemon balm, mints, sage and oregano are done and I am just waiting for the chive flowers to open before I cut them as well. Tomorrow it is catnip day. The cut herbs are all dried already, I use a dehydrator it makes quick work of things, then into the food processor for a fine grinding, then bottled and dropped into the freezer. I like to store them in the freezer, I think it keeps the flavor strong. I might get a little more harvested depending on the weather...and I still have the lovage, and yarrow to cut back and store a little yarrow. The lovage doesn't keep, so into the salad it will go. I have thought about using it in a flavored oil, but I think it is best fresh. for some of you, you'll have a few more weeks to grow..but here I'll be putting a cold frame up if my tomatoes don't ripen soon. I love fall :)