Always the last Wednesday in August

Welcome, everyone. With apologies and respect to the late comedian and talk show host Johnny Carson and his comedy skit featuring the cartoonish mystic the great "Carnac” — wearing a huge turban and flowing black cape — I give you, dear readers, the answer first: “Always the last Wednesday in August” (Aug. 27, 2025). The question appears later in today’s column.

With the onset of fall sports and cooler temperatures nipping at our flip-flops, it’s time to consider bringing our tender houseplants indoors for the fall and winter after their summer vacation outdoors. The risk of frost in Medina begins around Sept. 27, and by Oct. 20 we’re almost certain to have experienced one. There is about a 50% chance of frost (32 F) starting around Oct. 11.

Bring indoors any tropicals (my plants are a hibiscus and a potted palm), annuals you’re overwintering, certain prized perennials and tender herbs. Here are some tips to consider: prune leggy, overgrown, dead or damaged yellow leaves and branches; check for pests and diseases on leaves, stems and soil, including undersides of leaves; watch for leaf spot or molds; hose down plants lightly, wipe off leaves, and soak potted plants in a bucket of water for 15 minutes to drive out insects. If necessary, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. This is also a good time to refresh the soil before bringing plants inside, where conditions are less than ideal.

Tomato cover-up

With fall arriving and tomato harvests winding down, here’s how to extend the life of your freshly picked tomatoes. The calyx — the green, star-shaped leaves attached at the stem end — helps tomatoes retain moisture and block out molds and bacteria that cause spoilage. If the calyx is missing, simply use masking tape or scotch tape to cover the stem end as a barrier.

After taping, store tomatoes at room temperature, stem side down, to further seal out moisture and disease. Keep them out of direct sunlight. The tomato skin is effective at holding in moisture, and this method can prevent more than 75% of moisture loss, keeping tomatoes plump and juicy for about a week. Avoid refrigerating tomatoes, which degrades flavor and creates a mealy texture.

And the question is ...

... When is the date for the mother of all food fights, otherwise known as La Tomatina, the Spanish tomato-throwing festival? It’s held annually in Buñol, near Valencia, Spain, always on the last Wednesday of August.

The festival began in the mid-20th century to honor patron saint San Luis Beltrán. By some accounts, local youths began throwing food during a parade, sparking a quirky tradition that grew into a community event with global attention.

Some squishy tomato food fight facts: the battle lasts about an hour, and a strict rule requires participants to squash tomatoes before throwing them. About 150 metric tons of tomatoes — six to seven truckloads — are delivered for the fight, and they are low-quality or overripe tomatoes not suitable for eating. Thousands of people from around the world join the slippery, seedy fun, and local firefighters and volunteers hose down the streets afterward. The acid in the tomatoes leaves the town remarkably clean.

“Happiness is discovering the prune juice your doctor ordered you to drink has fermented.” — Johnny Carson

Until next time — peace.