Sunbelt sowing, frost-belt reaping

Record low August temperatures in many areas of the North brought some gardens to a premature end. The growing season has only a few more weeks to go. So, stop all new fruiting on such frost-tender crops as tomatoes and winter squash by removing all new blossoms. This allows all the plant's energy to go into enlarging and ripening already set fruit. Cut back on watering tomatoes, as this hastens ripening. Of course, the farther south you live, the longer you can delay these practices.