Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cynthia Astle on June 16, 2009 at 11:37am

Hi, Marion. From your description, and what I know of the weather in the Northeast this spring, I'd say the problem is weather-related: too cold temperatures and too much water. Believe it or not, the same thing happened here in Texas last year, where we had an unusually cool summer and more rain than normal. Nobody that I know had a good tomato crop in 2008 in North Texas. Tomatoes just love heat; you should see how my Better Boy and Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are responding to the 90-degree days we're having here now.

I'd suggest pinching off the stunted buds. Don't fertilize, as that will make the plants too comfortable and they will cease to bud. In other words, be a little mean to your tomato plants so they'll toughen up and start the fruiting process.

A word about the Beefsteak, especially: When it does start fruiting, be prepared for the fruits to ripen all at once. You'll have more tomatoes than you'll be able to use. You can sell the excess crop, give it away or freeze them. To freeze, core the tomatoes and place in freezer-safe containers. You can then use the tomatoes in cooking later by thawing them and dipping them in boiling water to remove the skins. Makes great soups, stews and tomato sauces in winter.

Best of luck,
Cynthia Astle
Dallas, Texas

Permalink Reply by MWitte z6 NJ on June 16, 2009 at 7:15pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The cold and wet just continues here (we had hail last night!)...and I can just sense that my pepper plants are suffering from the cold as well! (But boy oh boy...my zucchini just keeps plugging along!)

I'm a big sauce maker (Italian heritage and all...and we make huge batches of sauce for when we prep 450 raviolis, 35 braciole and 150 meatballs!!) so I am looking forward to a bumper crop of tomatoes!
(That's why I did plum as well....best for the sauce)

Marion

Cynthia Astle said:

Hi, Marion. From your description, and what I know of the weather in the Northeast this spring, I'd say the problem is weather-related: too cold temperatures and too much water. Believe it or not, the same thing happened here in Texas last year, where we had an unusually cool summer and more rain than normal. Nobody that I know had a good tomato crop in 2008 in North Texas. Tomatoes just love heat; you should see how my Better Boy and Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are responding to the 90-degree days we're having here now.

I'd suggest pinching off the stunted buds. Don't fertilize, as that will make the plants too comfortable and they will cease to bud. In other words, be a little mean to your tomato plants so they'll toughen up and start the fruiting process.

A word about the Beefsteak, especially: When it does start fruiting, be prepared for the fruits to ripen all at once. You'll have more tomatoes than you'll be able to use. You can sell the excess crop, give it away or freeze them. To freeze, core the tomatoes and place in freezer-safe containers. You can then use the tomatoes in cooking later by thawing them and dipping them in boiling water to remove the skins. Makes great soups, stews and tomato sauces in winter.

Best of luck,
Cynthia Astle
Dallas, Texas

Permalink Reply by Melody Leftwich z8 TX on June 16, 2009 at 8:12pm

Yeah, tomatoes don't like for their blossoms to get wet too much (that's why soaker hoses are essential) or for too long.