how to get the veg garden ready for winter?

[Fluffy&Cutie]

i know that to most gardeners this is going to sound funny-
in southern california most plants that are annual can be perennials. i find this true for my peppers plants and tomatoes. of course they usually go dormant in the "winter" months and do not produce fruit. once the weather turns around, they begin to grow again. they usually last about 3 years producing well until production begins to dwindle.
in august my growing season is basically done-it's too hot.

my question is...how can i get these plants ready for the fall? do i trim them back? add nutrients before they go to sleep? what??? they are tomatoes and peppers.

i usually just let nature go, life will find a way...(that's for my geekie friends!!!)
but this year, i want to care for the summer garden that went great this year.
thanks for your help.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Fascinating. Here in Wisconsin everything gets killed by frost. It never occurred to me that some plants can go on for more than a season. I am curious too as to what you are doing with them.

 

[Kfults]

The perineals I grow, say not to fertilize before the dormant season, cut back the plant and let it rest. Fertilize or mulch with compost in spring. In the south veggies are annuals, but our shrubs grow for many seasons and this is the advice I have read.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

Fascinating. Here in Wisconsin everything gets killed by frost. It never occurred to me that some plants can go on for more than a season. I am curious too as to what you are doing with them.

I grew up in the north, I too never knew that

The perineals I grow, say not to fertilize before the dormant season, cut back the plant and let it rest. Fertilize or mulch with compost in spring. In the south veggies are annuals, but our shrubs grow for many seasons and this is the advice I have read.

thanks for that advice!