This is a good time to start planning for your tomato crop this spring, and hopefully the five helpful hints below will get readers on the path to a successful tomato harvest.
Plant early: Large fruited varieties need to set early before our 95 degree days and 75 degree nights become the average. Although cherry tomatoes can set fruit in these conditions, the larger fruited varieties will fail. (The flowers fall off.)
One of the most successful tomato growers in the Buda-Manchaca area is Sam Lemming. He sets his transplants out within the first two weeks of February. Most folks would say this is too early and that you should wait till the last freeze and frost dates. By planting early and providing protection from frost and freezes, Sam gets his tomatoes to set before the heat arrives.
Choose good varieties: Determinate varieties grow and bloom over a short period of time which translates to a large crop before summer.
Most of these varieties can be replanted in July for a fall harvest. My favorites are the Rodeo series. New varieties are trialed and a winner is released at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo each year.
This year’s Rodeo winner is called Red Deuce. This determinate tomato (72 days) produces large (10 oz.) fruit with a promise of large yields of smooth, deep red, rich tasting tomatoes.
Red Deuce is resistant to a whole range of diseases, including to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt (races 1 and 2), grey leaf spot, Tobacco mosaic virus, stemphylium, and alternaria stem canker.
Some of our past Rodeo tomatoes, such as BHN444, BHN602, Tigress, Tycoon, Valley cat, and Bobcat, have incredibly successful track records.
If you asked Sam, he would tell you that Celebrity tomato was his first choice.
Location: Full sun and drainage from standing water is a must. Tomatoes need 6 to 7 hours of direct sun to thrive.
Soil preparation: Our senior farmer Dwight advises all gardeners to use plenty of compost. You can use manure and vegetable or a mixture of the two. If you add expanded shale and decomposed granite, this will help with drainage and aeration, especially when dealing with heavy clay soils. A handful of calcium-rich dolomite lime at planting time will cure blossom end rot before it starts.
Add some organic fertilizer: We recommend Espomas Bio-start or Urban farm’s BioActive fertilizers. Both come from organic sources and contain mycorrhizae fungal spores which add health to the soil and plants.
Brandon from J and B Feed on 1626 also likes Urban Farm’s liquid tomato and food. I’ve seen his crops and have a lot of respect for this young farmer.
The days are getting longer and I can feel the sap rising. Will I humble the tomatoes or will they humble me? Spring 2016 is just around the corner! Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a horticultural question, send it to me via email: iathyme@yahoo.com. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
