Potempa Farm Garden Green Tomatoes Guarded by Gnome

Final garden finds this time of year include green tomatoes that have escaped frost. One of Times Columnist Philip Potempa's tomato plants photographed this week under the watchful eye of a garden gnome, even sports late season yellow blossoms.

FROM the FARM: Time to use final garden tomatoes

As soon as the first cold snap happens, my mom is ready with her ages-old chili recipe for her traditional Monday night cool weather menu favorite.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

Bees crawl into and out of a hive Monday at County Line Orchard in Hobart. The bees pollinate the apple trees, which are blooming and sprouting early this year.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

County Line Orchard worker Juan Alvarez carries the roots of a gala apple tree Monday after removing them to make way for a honeycrisp apple tree at the Hobart orchard.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

A golden delicious apple tree blooms Monday at the County Line Orchard in Hobart.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

Apple trees bloom Monday at County Line Orchard in Hobart. Joe Jamicich, the orchard's manager, said the unseasonably warm weather and subsequent colder weather will not harm the apple crop extensively.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

County Line Orchard worker Francisco Gutierrez pulls out old gala apple tree roots Monday to make way for honeycrisp apple trees at the orchard in Hobart.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

County Line Orchard manager Joe Jamicich looks at the blooms on an apple tree at the Hobart orchard.

Apple trees blossom early, spurring some concerns among region orchards

County Line Orchard manager Joe Jamicich talks Monday about how apple trees are blossoming and sprouting early because of the unseasonably warm weather. The early blossoming concerns some apple orchard owners in Northwest Indiana, who worry about what a possible hard freeze would do to the c…