The five gallon Kratky method hydroponic buckets and one 10 gallon bin are still producing good produce.  Here in West Virginia, we can have frosts as early as Sept 30th.  Tomorrow night we go  down into the high 30’s at night (but in the 70’s daytime), so I I’ll have to protect the eggplants and the pepper and the cuke for each night, in the hopes of keeping them going until the weather gets warmer again in a week.

As you can see, the eggplants are of harvesting size (and went with tomatoes, basil & parsley in a tomato / eggplant  & cheese (one crust) pie last night).

The H-19 cucumber has produced cukes of  anywhere from pickling size to these huge ones- for cucumber salad.  I found the skin a tiny bit thick at this large size, so I’ve been peeling these, (unnecessary if picked smaller).  (My fingers are stained from dehydrating plums and peaches this week).

The Boris sweet peppers are doing great- large & small go into everything- eggs, chili, etc. 

I should comment again, that these 3 plants are taking additional water at least once a week (nutrient solution).  The cuke in the 10 gallon bin and the eggplants and pepper in the five gallon buckets all take the same 2 gallons of nutrient solution each week.  Unfortunately, they have all had bouts of running dry  completely down to the bottom of the container.  Obviously this has taken a toll on the plants….. but bless their hearts- they keep producing.

H-19 Little Leaf Cucumber Sept 22, 2014 still juicy & firm, even at this size.

H-19 Little Leaf Cucumber in a 10 gallon bin / tote

Hansel Eggplant Sept 22, 2014.  I believe the spotted leaves could be a result of running out of nutrient solution or the PH, which changes in the nutrient solution, might also be way off at this point- too acidic or too alkaline. Then there is the possibility of a virus, as a result of the explosion of new stink bugs and the crud they carry in their bites.

Hansel Eggplant, loaded with eggplants of all sizes

Hansel eggplant Sept 22, 2014

Gretel Eggplant Sept 22, 2014, still smaller than Hansel, but producing many eggplants

Boris pepper Sept 22, 2014.   The foam is just helping hold up the plant against the round tomato cage’s legs, that go through holes drilled in the bucket net cup rim cover.