It’s About Thyme
by CHRIS WINSLOW
Our late spring weather pattern seems to have placed something of a damper on tomato fruit production here in Hays County.
When daytime heat hovers above 95 degrees, and the nighttime temperature rests at 75° or more, large tomato varieties will flower – but won’t set. They just fall off. Discouraging at best.
Long-time tomato grower Sam Lemming of Buda advises gardeners to get those transplants out as early in the spring as possible. This gives them enough time to set fruit before the summer heat arrives.
The trouble is, this year the June weather pattern actually started in early May.
So how can we hope for any success with our tomatoes?
My thoughts are that we should be looking forward to the possibilities that the fall growing season offers, rather than lamenting our present situation.
This second season begins during the second week of July. Many experienced tomato growers feel they can get a better crop in the fall.
Seedling tomatoes planted in early July through mid-August will take 60 to 70 days of growth to begin their bloom cycle. This places us at the end of September when the day and night temperatures are beginning to drop. Thus a better chance of the fruit setting.
For fall production, look for determinate tomato varieties that grow fast and produce lots of flowers in a short period of time. This will mean maximum production before the first frosts of November arrive.
Some well-tested varieties: Celebrity, Surefire, BHN 444, Phoenix and Tycoon.
Between now and early next month I will start to get my fall garden ready.
This means lots of weeding, and I’ll be adding generous amounts of compost and organic fertilizer to the beds.
Tomatoes aren’t the only crop that can be planted in July. Peppers, okra, southern peas, summer and winter squash, corn, eggplant and cucumbers are some other possibilities.
For those gardeners who want a shot at growing pumpkins for Halloween, you should also plant those seeds in July.
As tough as summer vegetable gardening can be, we can take solace in knowing a new gardening season is just around the corner and it’s bound to get cooler... sometime!
Happy gardening, everyone.
If you have a horticultural question, send it to me via email: [email protected]. (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
