This fourth week in January puts us very close to tomato season.
Success with this popular and sometimes difficult crop begins with
a little planning.
First, one needs to find a location with full sun exposure and great
drainage. Next comes soil preparation.
Adding copious amounts of compost is your best bet. I happen to
like Happy Frogs soil conditioner because it comes loaded with
beneficial bacteria, mycorrhizae, bat guano, earthworm castings
and humic acid. All of these ingredients come to life when watering
in with horticultural molasses.
Getting an early start is very important because warm weather norm-
ally sets upon us by around May 15. Temperatures are important for
fruit set. Once the mid-May day time temps hit the mid-nineties and
at nighttime the mid-seventies, large fruited tomato varieties flowers
fall off without setting fruit.
Sam Lemming of Buda, one of the most successful backyard tomato
farmers I have known, always plants his tomato seedlings out in
early February so that his crop has a chance to beat the heat.
Choosing the right tomato variety is important also. Determinate
hybrids work best in our central Texas climate. Determinate toma-
toes grow and set their fruit faster than their in-determinates. Deter-
minate tomatoes also take up less space in the garden.
Some of my most favorite determinates: BHN 602, BHN 444, Cele-
brity, Bobcat, Valley Cat, Tigress, Tycoon, and Phoenix. There are
tons to choose from. Make your backyard a trial garden and figure
out which variety is best for you!
Sam’s favorite for years was Celebrity. This has been America’s
most popular backyard tomato since its introduction in the mid-
eighties.
Heirloom tomatoes have also become very popular. Being indeter-
minate 'vining type,' they are going to set only their early flowers
the heat spoils fruit set. Expect smaller crops, but maybe more
flavor and an appealing texture.
The most popular and successful variety for us has been Cherokee
Purple. Some others to look for are Brandywine, Black Krim, Mr.
Stripey, Old German, and Homestead.
It's always good to add a few cherry tomatoes into the mix. These
small fruited varieties set well in the heat making them an insurance
policy if all else fails. Sungold, Red Cherry Large, Juliet, Red and
Yellow Pear, Matt’s Wild Cherry, and the Grape Tomatoes are all
good choices. Roma and San Marzano are two mid-size tomatoes
that set well.
Another strategy is to plant a variety that sets fruit fast. Most toma-
toes need 70 days plus to ripen. The fastest tomato out there? Early
Girl - 52 days. If you get a late start, she might be the best choice.
The weather looks great. Get out in the garden, breathe in some fresh
air. soak in some sunshine and listen to the birds sing. Spring is just
around the corner. Happy gardening everyone!❦
