Here we are in the fog belt and the ‘Baby Belle’ peppers are just ripening. Our late August days alternate between the mid-sixties with overcast and sunny days in the 70’s. But even on a warm day the overcast may claim all but about four hours of sun.

The blocky bell peppers are sizing up but I’ll let them progress to red unless I need a green pepper for a recipe. We’re on track to having bell peppers at Christmas if I can spare the garden real estate. Surprisingly, the peppers don’t seem to mind the shorter days and cooler nights the fall brings.

And in the category of small red vegetables, my black cherry “explosion” tomatoes ripen. Years ago, my little neighbor girls dubbed them “explosion” tomatoes because they explode with flavor when popped in your mouth.

I lost track of my saved seed but had given some to San Diego Seed Company. They trialed it and now offer my black cherry tomatoes. The owner gave me a packet and I’ve got my explosion tomatoes back and am saving the seed for next year.

Tomatoes and zinnias are regulars on my kitchen island this month.

I uprooted two heirloom tomato plants last week. They usually succumb to fog belt blight first. The other two plants will be dispatched this week as they have almost given all.

This is what remains of the tomato harvest. I had a plate of bright red ‘Early Girl’ tomatoes but only remembered to take the photo after they were prepped for tomato sauce. I’ll soon be roasting tomatoes with garlic, onion and olive oil for the freezer.

Two quarts of what I’d call crushed tomatoes in puree went to the freezer over the weekend. I’ll be thankful for that when I make spaghetti sauce and soups in the coming months.

Cucumbers live only in my fridge now so before they go I made a favorite summer salad—Black Beans, Cucumber, Dill and Goat Cheese Salad. Extra special black beans from Rancho Gordo—Midnight, a true black turtle bean.

In a last hurrah to lavender and summer beverages, I made a quart of lavender lemonade. Sometimes I stretch it with sparkling water—just as we like to stretch out our summer days.

A dining room table delight—pink zinnias, depression glass cream and sugar set from my grandmother, my mother’s mid-century aluminum tray and some random marbles. Oh and a favorite Crate & Barrel lime green vase.

You may enjoy seeing what other garden bloggers harvested last week at Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres.

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