The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KILLING FROST

THE FIRST KILLING FROST IN THIS AREA WILL BE OCTOBER 20.
JOHN TOLD MY HUSBAND THIS JULY 22. I ASKED HIM HOW JOHN
KNEW AND HE SAID HE WOULD ASK HIM. JOHN EXPLAINED THAT
NINETY DAYS AFTER YOU HEAR THE FIRST KATYDIDS AND JAR
FLIES YOU WILL HAVE THE FIRST KILLING FROST.
JOHN RAISES A GOOD-SIZED GARDEN, AND ACCO RDING TO HIS
WIFE HE GOES OUT AND SITS IN THE GARDEN AFTER SUPPER
EVERY AFTERNOON. SHE SAYS HE'S NOT WORKING, JUST
SITTING OUT THERE. I GUESS HE WAS WAITING TO HEAR THE
KATYDIDS AND JAR FLIES.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DONELSON

Date learned: 07-23-1968