Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
HOW ARE YOUR TOMATOES PROSPERING? Mine, after struggling through a mostly-cold June, have responded to a mostly-hot July by turning into weeds. And what wonderful weeds they are (click photos to enlarge):
Leading the bunch is ‘Pruden’s Purple.’ This potato-leaved variety, one of 12 heirlooms I’m auditioning this summer, was the first to set buds. It was also the first to reach the top of the 7-foot-tall trellis I constructed back in May. When vines reach the top of this support, I cut off their tops to stop any higher growth.
If your plants aren’t performing well, your weather is probably to blame. Tomatoes request two things: consistent heat and steady moisture. Rarely is fertilizer the answer to sluggish growth. Avoid watering from overhead, as this can lead to fungal problems. Above: heirloom tomatoes in my Kitchen Garden, July 4, 2011. (If you’re wondering, that’s my ancient house in the background.)
The same plants, after 10 days of high temperatures. Growth has become so rapid now that I must tie the vines daily to their supports. This is a job I enjoy, for it gives me an excuse to visit the garden each morning. Suckers are removed almost daily, too. This insures that all foliage is freely exposed to sunlight and air.
Most of my plants have started making fruit. The gorgeous green globes above are courtesy of ‘Mortage Lifter.’ This one, like ‘Pruden’s Purple,’ is also potato-leaved. I plan to harvest some of these unripe tomatoes tonight, and turn them into these delicious things.
Mind giving me a report on your own tomatoes? Any pests or problems to report? Any outstanding varieties you’d like to recommend? Please, don’t tell me you’re already making sauce!
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Related Posts:
My Best Fried Green Tomatoes
My Joan Crawford-Approved Tomato Trellis
Classic Stuffed Tomatoes Provencal
The Horrors of Tomato Late-Blight
How I De-Sucker My Tomatoes
Paula says
Kevin, love your trellis. I'll have to build one next year. My tomatoes are in wire cages. Lots of green growth, lots of flowers, and lots of small to medium tomatoes. Best performer of the group: Jet Star.
Sande says
Your tomatoes look great! Those trellises are great. I had one Stupice ripe on a salad so far. Nothing else even close to ripe. I have several different varieties growing – new ones? Japanese Black Triffle, Giant Belgium, Opalka, Sungold. My favorite heirlooms from other years: Cabin, Sheyenne, Silver Fir (all growing this year too). So far so good on most.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Paula – Glad you like the trellis. So easy to maintain tomatoes when they are grown on a tall support.
Sande – welcome. If you've had just one ripe tomato, you're well-ahead of me. Great selection you're growing there — love the shape/color of Black Trifle.
Terry says
My tomatoes have been really poky this year, because our temps have been not very warm until recently. They have finally started growing (though not as tall as yours!)and have some flowers but no tomatoes yet. The cucumbers and peppers are very poky too.
Terry says
Your ancient house looks so intriguing, I wish I could see the floorplan, I love studying floorplans:)
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Terry – if your weather is turning warm now, get ready for a big veggie explosion!
Regarding the house: it's a very interesting place. The earliest part was built in 1794; the main core in 1826; the west wing, which I use as a music room, is 1870 or earlier. I meant to produce a “cyber tour” complete with floor-plan last year; will have to do so this winter.
Katreader says
My tomatoes aren't doing much of anything and I think I'm cursed when it comes to cucumbers. This year has really been awful. I do have some peppers that, hopefully, will come to fruition and my basil has been wonderful…other than that…not so good. I look forward to your winter cyber tour!
Erica says
I have a micro garden up against the back of my house facing south that is watered consistently. Since there's so little room I remove all suckers and cut some of the big leaves in half. The plants are full of tomatoes which I don't even eat, but I grow for my husband. Do you think my pruning is ok?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Katreader – What a bummer! But at least you'll have home grown basil to go with farm market tomatoes!
Erica – Your pruning job is spot-on. In fact, I do the same thing here. Tomatoes perform best without all that surplus foliage.
Broken Barn Industries says
Wow, never heard of removing surplus foliage and we're behind on suckers but the plants still look good- baby green tomatoes are starting! We're growing Brandywines, yellow pear and Malinowy Ozarowskis (had to look up how to spell that). I'd love a house tour too!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
BBI – Brandywine – one of my favorites, too. Later this summer, you'll have to tell me how the Malinowy's fared for you. I've heard they are aggressive, but in a good way.
House tour in fall/winter. I promise.
Hoosier John says
You're right on with regards to moisture for tomatoes. They need a steady supply of water, and it's hard to over-water. My best results are from a soaker hose I pin down (sod staples) upside-down along the row and bury with mulch when I mulch the tomatoes. No water gets on the plants, and the mulch helps conserve the water. Depending on the weather, I usually turn on the soaker hose for about 6 hours once per week. Avoids blossom-end rot and a host of other diseases.
Eric says
Mine have really taken off too. Right now the leader of the pack is 'Supersonic' with Cherokee Purple (heirloom) close behind. NO FERTILIZER AT ALL, but still lots of fruit. Nothing ripe yet.
Like Hoosier John I use a soaker hose to water the plants. Watering twice a week — maybe I need more mulch?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hoosier John – Couldn't agree with you more. Steady moisture eliminates cracked tomato skins, too. Soaker hose is the best route, for all the reasons you stated.
Eric – I don't fertilize my tomatoes, either. They are weeds, after all, and really don't need it. And by the way, 'Cherokee Purple' was probably the best-tasting tomato I grew here last year.