I'm growing tomatoes in zone 7a where we face short springs and blistering summers with temps over 90°F. I usually transplant my tomatoes at the end of April, hoping they'll yield before the intense heat hits. Unfortunately, they often just end up growing lots of leaves and not much fruit. I've tried using shade cloth and plenty of mulch, and I make sure to water them regularly. Later in the season, from September to October, they finally start fruiting again, allowing for some late harvests before frost. This year, I put my tomatoes in the ground on April 25, which is the earliest I can manage. Do you think it's feasible to try a second planting in August for an October harvest? If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
1 Answer
Hey, are you new to this? If last year was your first time, I wouldn’t stress too much about the results—it was a tough year for tomatoes around here. In PA, it was a terrible year, but NJ tomatoes were thriving! What varieties are you planting? Mixing things up with a few different types usually helps. You're smart to use shade cloth in those blazing conditions. Good luck this season!
Actually, I've been doing this for 8 years now. I'm in St. Louis, which definitely has its own extremes and short springs!