Expand Your Tomato Crop's Season into Autumn for Delicious Homegrown Fruits Using These 5 Cunning Techniques
Growing tomatoes doesn't have to stop when the weather cools down. With a few adjustments and some careful planning, you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest even in the autumn months. Here are some tips and tricks to help you succeed.
Firstly, consider using Bonide Neem Oil to control pests like aphids. This organic solution is an effective way to keep your tomato plants healthy and pest-free.
When it comes to planting, the tomato varieties 'Glacier' and 'Stupice' are ideal for cooler weather and have a short maturity period of 60 to 70 days. These varieties are perfect for succession planting, which can be done every couple of weeks through July to spread out the crop and ensure a longer harvest.
Mulching is another essential aspect of tomato care. Mulching tomatoes with 3 inches (7.5 cm) of straw or bark mulch in late summer helps keep soil warm, holds moisture steady, blocks weeds, and prevents rot. Remember to check the mulch weekly and fluff it if it packs down.
A rolling tomato planter with a built-in trellis makes hauling heavy pots easy. If you're growing tomatoes in pots, it's recommended to move them indoors when nights hit 45F (7C).
Row covers like Agribon AG-19 can save tomatoes from early frosts by letting light and water through but blocking cold down to 35F (2C). Floating row covers can be set up with hoops or stakes in early fall and secured with bricks or clips.
Gardeners recommend cherry tomato varieties and late-season tomato plants that can be nurtured by removing side shoots and late flowers to extend the harvest, while letting the last green tomatoes mature indoors after picking to prolong yield in cooler months.
Indoor tomatoes need around 6 to 8 hours of light per day, which can be provided by a vertical LED grow light. Ease off watering as nights cool to 50F (10C) to prevent fruit splitting or weak roots. Feed plants once in early fall with a low-nitrogen mix like 5-10-10 to focus on fruit production.
Start seeds indoors with a basic LED grow light before moving them outside. It is recommended to sow seeds in late spring or early summer, around June or July, about 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost.
Smaller seedlings can thrive under DIY plant cloches, like old plastic jugs with the bottoms sliced off. Clip tomato plant suckers to let in sun and air, but use clean pruning shears to avoid spreading diseases.
Lastly, don't forget to check seed packets for 'days to maturity' to match your fall season. You can find 5-10-10 tomato and vegetable fertilizer on Amazon to help your plants thrive. Happy growing!
