Growing in a hot climate

[b54red]

RinTinTin, I have a very long list of tomatoes that didn't do good for me. The difference in your climate and mine might mean the ones that didn't work for me would do terrific for you. I did notice a couple of tomatoes that did much better than the others when the temps were low. They were Red Siberian, Pale Perfect Purple, Caspian Pink, Gregori's Altai, Kosovo, Stupice and Jetsetter (a hybrid).

[BR]

I live in NE Oklahoma. My tomatoes struggled in my new garden. I've been amending the soil but it's not where it needs to be yet so its hard to compare to my previous location where I had excellent soil. Raised beds are a must IMO due to the feast or famine rainfall we get in our area. Two or three years back nearly everyone in my area lost their entire crop due to all the rain we had. I had a bumper crop that year due to my raised beds and good drainage so I wouldn't be without the raised beds. I also had a huge elm tree perfectly situated to provide afternoon shade on my garden. My tomatoes loved that afternoon shade from about 3-5pm. I don't have that shade anymore so I plan on providing some artificial shade next year. Be sure to test your soil ph.

[tjcnok]

After our disasterous attempt at growing tomatoes this year I am not giving any advice, but what we do here in Western Creek County is to try to place the tomato plants where they get afternoon shade, on the east side of the okra usually. That and lots of water and horse barn shavings for mulch.

[franzb69]

since i live in a tropical country, all i know is that i have to grow my tomatoes in a shaded area. no full sun during the afternoon or they wilt, most especially during the summer. 40c heat isn't good for any plant.

[edsel66]

I grow tomatoes right in the middle of downtown OKC and have had pretty good luck. We harvested 25.4 pounds right before our first freeze. I always make sure to buy plants that are for our area - ones bred to tolerate our blistering summer heat. I never buy from a chain garden center - if you are near OKC pay a visit to Horn Seed. They love to answer questions. This year I am going with an all Italian theme. The soil and climate in southern Italy is very similar to ours. I will gladly share seeds if you would like. My 2011s are already up and greeting the world. Oh, and one last piece of advice - don't waste your time with Brandywines. They grow like weeds, but refuse to set blossoms in our heat.

[tjcnok]

Edsel: What kinds of Italian tomatoes do you recommend? What are you growing? You say 2011's are already up and growing. I take it you are growing them in a greenhouse. We are only about an hour n.e. of you so they may work here too. Worth a try. Thanks,

[edsel66]

We have a west-facing 2nd bedroom that becomes the plant room in winter. The peppers and herbs get dug up and winter in pots. I start my seeds rediculously early, but I have 3' - 4' plants to set in the garden by April, no hardening necessary since they have grown their entire life in full sun. Last year we were enjoying tomatoes early May. They are much les stressed when it comes to transplating, and we use the trench method for planting. In our hot/dry conditions they need strong root systems! Since this is the first year for the Italian ones, I would recommend you visit a locally-owned nursery come spring and buy startes bred specifically for OK. I know Horn carries a very large variety come March. I would gladly share seeds with you, or I can point you to the website where I buy mine: http://www.growitalian.com/. You get a ton of seeds for the $, and so far everything I have grown has sprouted and done just fine. The guy who owns it is SO nice, will answer any questions you have, and is very helpful. Last year the arugula and basil I planted from "his" seeds grew wonderfully. I do know we have always had good luck with cherry tomatoes and yellow pear tomatoes - in Italian they are called Le Bizzarre.

[tjcnok]

Edsel: Thanks for the tip on the Italian tomato web site. Sent off for a catalogue and will take a closer look ourselves. Also for the tip on Horn's feed store. We used to shop there a lot when we still lived there in OKC(Edmond actually, but worth the trip across town to Horn's!). We moved here to the farm about the same time they relocated to the southwest part of the City from their orginal location on Robinson St. in Capitol Hill.

[edsel66]

They aren't on S May anymore - now they are on NW Expressway and Classen. I like to shop locally when I can. And the big chains don't really know squat about plants. Enjoy the catalog, I have been impressed with the quality and the price. The arugula seed pack came with 1500 seeds - enough to last me a lifetime!