Danielle Rines
NEWBURYPORT — It would seem from the freezing temperatures the past two nights that winter is coming a bit early this year.
But forget what the forecasters say. Few know New England weather better than a farmer.
The annual first frost that was cast over farms this week was right on schedule. Donna Bartlett, co-owner of Bartlett's Farm, said they were ready for the freeze.
"We have been picking crops really heavily for the past two weeks in preparation for the frost," said Bartlett at the stand in Salisbury. "The frost came this weekend, so we hustled picking all the tomatoes we could off the vines no matter the color and also picked cucumbers, beans, pumpkins, squash and are still picking corn."
Whether it be farmers, homeowners or even wildlife, the onset of the first frost marks the end of the growing season, bringing about renewed activity to prepare for the winter months ahead.
Homeowners who fear the chilly weather would be well advised to step outside and take a few steps to preserve their gardens, according to Tim Lamprey, owner of Harbor Gardens in Salisbury.
Lamprey said one of the most important things homeowners can do during this time for their lawn and garden is to make sure they do a thorough cleanup.
"Cleanup now is important because when you have frost, it kills the leaves and flowers, and if they are left in the garden, they become a home for insects and diseases," he said. "It is good to rake the leaves, and straightening up helps with the overall health of the plants."
Lamprey also suggests a layer of lime in the garden and yard.
"Lime is used and put down during the fall so that it can work in changing the PH and taking the acidity out of the soil so that grass, perennials and vegetables can better utilize the fertilizer and grow once winter is over," he said.
He also suggests that fall is when lawns need to be fertilized so that the blades of grass can grow thicker later on, which can help out with weed control.
But as easily as the frost and cold weather is prepared for by professionals planning around it, the onset of winter is even more easily detected by wildlife, especially birds, as their food supply begins to dwindle. For many, these cold nights mean it's time to get out of town.
"Birds have a very sophisticated calendar; just as we know the time of day it is, they have calendars," said Bill Gette of the Joppa Flats Audubon Center in Newburyport. "They may not know that the month is October, but they know when it's fall and time to move."
