I had several customers approach me last Saturday at the Farmer’s Market wondering if anyone was selling tomatoes.
Tomatoes a are HUGE thing around here, and no wonder. When you think of summer and farmer’s markets, you immediately think of tomatoes.
Unfortunately, I had to tell them that local farmers aren’t able to grow tomatoes right now.
As you read this, it’s the middle of August in Southeast Texas, and it’s just plain hot, with a couple more months of hot in the forecast.
Tomatoes are a bit picky about when they grow, and right now, the #1 reason there are no local tomatoes is because of the heat and humidity.
Here’s why:
A temperature range of 70 to 85ºF is ideal. With so many days of 95+ degree weather, the plants stop flowering.
Add in the humidity, and you have a double whammy. The ideal humidity level is 40-70%. After that, the pollen becomes too sticky and clumps together and can’t fall to the female parts of the flower.
Here in Southeast Texas, there is a VERY narrow window of ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
To alleviate this, make sure you chose varieties well suited for your area. You can get heat tolerant varieties that will help you extend your growing season. However, beware that there is a point that they can only tolerate so much.
Here are 2 more reasons you may be having trouble with your tomatoes:
Water Stress: Dry soil conditions can stress the plants. 1- 1 ½” of water weekly is needed to have optimal fruit production. Less water means that plants will drop their flowers to protect themselves. Combine water stress with high temperatures and you have a very stressed plant. Keep plants well-irrigated by deeply water tomato plants at least once a week, and preferably every morning before every hot, windy day. Use a layer of mulch around (2-4”) thick around the plant to preserve soil moisture and reduce water loss from the soil surface due to evaporation.
Pests and Disease: Around here, my biggest battle is with stink bugs and hornworms. Once again, this stresses the plant, and puts it into survival mode instead of fruit production.
It’s not as easy as you thought to grow tomatoes, huh? I am so thankful for those that do it well.
