Chandra,

I have had that happen this year too. I assume that the high temperatures and lack of moisture cause it. I've had it in Big Beef, Beefmaster and Bushsteak tomatoes harvested in the last month---not all the tomatoes from those plants, but at least 1 or 2 from each one.

With cucumbers, when I have too many for fresh eating and already have made all the pickles we'll need for the next two years, I give away the extra or slice them in half and feed them to my chickens. Chickens are great about gobbling up lots of excess produce.

It is a great cucumber year, likely because the cucumber beetle population is almost non-existent this year.

Dawn

I haven't seen one cucumber beetle this year. I made 1 quart and 5 pints of pickles a few days ago, but by tomorrow I will probably need to make a few more. Cucumbers have been the most productive thing in my garden this summer.

Hi Chandra:

When I have extra produce and have given away all I can to friends and neighbors, I do one of two things.

I used to put it in cardboard boxes, and leave it outside the post office.

Recently, our county started a food bank so now I give surplus produce to them to distribute. I got the idea from the "Grow An Extra Row" initiatives around the country. (see link to an OK program below)

Here is a link that might be useful: Oklahoma Gardening: Plant a row for the hungry