Once we got to first frost, only produce that was in the greenhouse was showing any continued growth, but it really only extends an extra week or two beyond field produce. One crop that seemed to keep going was the cherry tomatoes I had planted in large pots. I had 7 big plants that were pushing about four dozen pieces of fruit per week. When it seemed these plants were about to die off due to the cold, I decided to bring them into the house and set them up in our big window by the heat register where we set early seedlings in spring. Three of the plants died off even though I brought them into the house...it had been too much cold for them.
Four plants have survived and under careful watering, additional lighting and a bit more light fertilizer, they have produced fruit, started dozens of new blossoms and now, even those new blossoms have become fruit! The process is much slower than summer growing, but we get results! Our first picking gave almost 4 dozen tomatoes and this next harvest might be around three dozen, about 3 weeks later. I expect the cycles to get closer together if blossoms continue to develop.
I think the amount of light will be the biggest variable to deal with, so lights on timers are adding light once the sun goes down to give the plants that summer-like amount of light. I use warm water to elevate the net amount of heat for the plants which should emulate what happens when the sun is heating the soil surface in the summer. This experiment is proving worth while. I might have to try some other potted vegetables next year to see what we can grow through winter!
