When to Plant Fall Tomatoes: Timing and Tips

Tomatoes are among the many most flavorful and rewarding crops a house gardener can develop. Once they’re home-grown, freshly picked tomatoes supply a taste that no store-bought fruit can compete with. Whereas they’re sometimes greatest planted within the spring, we love them an excessive amount of to relegate them to at least one season. 

In the event you’re a tomato fanatic dwelling in a heat local weather, we’ve got some thrilling information for you. In lots of circumstances, it’s potential to plant tomatoes simply earlier than the autumn. In the event you time it proper, beneath the precise circumstances, you possibly can count on a plentiful harvest earlier than winter comes round. 

Because the summer season crop is starting to fade, you might be questioning whether or not it’s okay to begin one other crop. The reply is that you just might be able to plant fall tomatoes. Let’s focus on who ought to strive it and learn how to make it a profitable harvest.

The place it Works

Tomatoes are warm-weather greens, so in some areas, fall planting is solely not possible. There are workarounds to that, nonetheless, as with many gardening conundrums.

Heat Climates (Zones 8-11)

With correct planning and care, gardeners in zones 8-11 shouldn’t have hassle planting tomatoes to reap within the fall. Actually, fall planting can have some benefits in these areas. It might lead to more healthy vegetation and higher fruit high quality. 

In hotter climates, the autumn presents milder temperatures and fewer strain from pests and ailments. Heat soil and cooler (although not chilly) air create a nice surroundings that the majority vegetation thrive in. 

Tomatoes require a specific amount of heat climate to develop and produce quickly. When nighttime temperatures constantly drop beneath 50°F (10°C), you possibly can count on vegetation to sluggish or cease rising altogether. 

Cool Climates (Zones 7 and beneath)

Wherever north of zone 8, you’re taking a look at a difficult scenario. The issue is that your first frost date will roll round too quickly. You’ll find yourself losing time and assets, and your vegetation received’t ever get to the place they should so as to produce fruit. 

The exception is when you develop them in a greenhouse or hoop home. On this case, you’ll have no points in zones 5-7. North of there, a heated greenhouse is the one method to pull it off. 

Timing and Temperature

Timing to plant fall tomatoes in heat climates is all about working backwards out of your first anticipated frost date. You too can anticipate the purpose when night time temperatures drop beneath 50°F (10°F). Whereas frost is the true killer, as soon as nighttime temperatures are constantly beneath 50°F, you received’t see a lot motion. 

Lookup your area’s first anticipated frost date. The farther north you reside, the sooner this date is predicted. In heat climates, resembling zones 8-11, it sometimes happens between October and December. In zone 11, you might not expertise a freeze in any respect in some years. 

Upon getting that date, rely backward the times to maturity of your chosen selection and add two to a few weeks. From the time of transplanting, it sometimes takes between 60 and 100 days for a tomato plant to bear fruit. 

Seeds vs. Begins

When you’ve established your transplant date, you’ll want to find out when to begin your seeds to plant fall tomatoes. Late summer season just isn’t a perfect time to immediately sow your tomatoes. The summer season warmth can stress your younger vegetation. This locations you susceptible to an unreliable and unpredictable begin. 

Tomatoes like heat soil, however when the temperature rises above 90°F (32°C), you’ll see indicators of warmth stress. It is going to be harder to maintain younger seedlings going. As a substitute, begin your seeds indoors, about 4 to 6 weeks forward of time. This may place you someplace in late July or August. 

Location

When it comes to location, solar publicity and drainage are the principle considerations. Tomatoes want full solar, and because the climate cools down, that want will improve. In the event you can, give them eight hours of full solar day by day. Six will sometimes suffice if this isn’t potential.

Rising your fall tomato vegetation in containers and raised beds has sure advantages. For one factor, you possibly can management the soil composition higher, which suggests drainage isn’t a difficulty. Soil in raised beds additionally tends to remain heat longer. 

Finest Varieties for Fall Planting

A lot of your success with fall tomato vegetation goes to hinge on the kind of tomatoes you select. Ideally, you must search for short-season varieties.

Determinate varieties are a good selection as they ripen on the similar time. Small-fruited varieties are likely to bear fruit in a shorter time. Some varieties are additionally extra heat-tolerant, which is especially essential within the early levels.

Listed here are a few of our favourite tomatoes to plant to reap in fall:

Care Ideas

Because you plant fall tomatoes on the finish of summer season, the warmth would be the major subject. Begin robust by including a thick layer of mulch to maintain the roots cool and retain moisture. A little bit of shade in the course of the peak solar hours will go a good distance. 

Water your transplants deeply and constantly to cut back stress. Consistency is especially essential if you wish to keep away from cracking. Prune the decrease leaves to enhance airflow, particularly if fall rains are heavy or unpredictable. Cool, moist air can promote the expansion of fungal ailments.