Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Connecticut Gardener Meets CT Outdoors

We just drove up to Middletown to do “CT Outdoors” with Suzanne Thompson, a radio show that airs on WMRD 1150 AM in Middletown (and WLIS 1420 AM in Old Saybrook). It’s one of the few independent stations left in the country and the signal covers central Connecticut, on the shore from West Haven to Westerly, R.I., and north as far as Windsor Locks and south as far as parts of Long Island.

The show broadcasts live on Tuesday at 12:30 pm and typically replays Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 1 pm and Sunday at 7 am.

Suzanne Thompson 
We’ve never done live radio before but Suzanne made us feel at home. Thompson has degrees in journalism and horticulture so we share similar interests.

Yes, AM radio still exists and, in this case, is offering some interesting local programming. I know everything is digital these days but I got a nice analog feeling from the whole experience.

To find out more about Suzanne and CT Outdoors, visit www.wliswmrd.net/outdoors.htm or email Suzanne at


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tomatoes in December?

Last year we were left with a ton of green tomatoes at the end of the season and made Chow Chow (green tomato relish).

This year, we didn’t have anywhere near as many on the vine when the cold weather arrived so, no Chow Chow.

Still, not wanting to see them go to waste (well, to the compost pile anyway), I picked every tomato I could find -- that was large enough and in decent condition -- and put them in the garage. Mature green fruit or ones that have already begun to ripen are your best bet. If you have the right spot, you can try hanging the entire plant so the fruit ripens on the vine.

I inspected them periodically and pulled out the ones that shriveled up -- usually the smallest ones -- and the ones that rotted. A week or two ago I moved them inside to the breezeway so as not to overlook the ones that ripened. I missed a few while they were in the garage.


They don’t all make it through but it’s a treat when they do.

Here it is, Dec. 7, and I’m still getting tomatoes!

Some people just place the tomatoes blossom-side down in a sunny window. Other methods make use of various containers: brown paper bags, cardboard boxes lined with newspaper, mason jars and plastic bags with holes, often with the inclusion of an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process. Experiment and see what works for you.

And, of course, you don’t have to wait until they ripen. You can always grab a green tomato, slice it, dip it in flour and fry it up. (Don’t forget to add your favorite seasoning.)

WR