Timing your harvest

JosephineRose · February 14, 2016

I have an interesting problem this year.

I've been given the incredible opportunity to work the Olympics in Rio. I'll be gone from the last week of July until the third week of August. Smack dab in the middle of my potential tomato harvest.

I've been trying to work my head around how to handle this, as I don't want the fruit to come in while I'm gone.

The way I see it, I have two options: I can start seeds now and go with early determinates and let everything die back during the month I'm gone, unattended.

However, we have heat and good weather in my area right on through October. September is our hottest month of the year.

I'm leaning towards a standard grow list and a very late start in mid April or May and a plant out in June, so that I only have someone water for me and hope my harvest comes in after I return August 23.

It's a good dilemma to have, but a dilemma nonetheless.

What are your thoughts?

Gerardo · February 14, 2016

Angra Dos Reis will provide tomato amnesia.

JosephineRose · February 14, 2016

LOL. Too bad i'll be working the entire trip!

Gardeneer · February 15, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephineRose

I have an interesting problem this year.

I've been given the incredible opportunity to work the Olympics in Rio. I'll be gone from the last week of July until the third week of August. Smack dab in the middle of my potential tomato harvest.

I've been trying to work my head around how to handle this, as I don't want the fruit to come in while I'm gone.

The way I see it, I have two options: I can start seeds now and go with early determinates and let everything die back during the month I'm gone, unattended.

However, we have heat and good weather in my area right on through October. September is our hottest month of the year.

I'm leaning towards a standard grow list and a very late start in mid April or May and a plant out in June, so that I only have someone water for me and hope my harvest comes in after I return August 23.

It's a good dilemma to have, but a dilemma nonetheless.

What are your thoughts?

You are in CA, and you can have an almost a full season by mid July, if you push the envelope and plant early.
As you have already mentioned, plant EARLY fruiting varieties. It can be DET or INDET as well. NOT all determinants will give a flush of fruits at once. Most of them fruit pretty much all season long.

JosephineRose · February 16, 2016

That's a really good point. Although the rains are forecasted to return, we are in the middle of a week of mid to high 70s right now. It has been very warm!

I've got space for 14 tomatoes, so I have enough room to try both... Take your suggestion for half of those spots and start seeds tomorrow for early varieties, and then do a second round for the late plant experiment and see what comes in when.

Thanks very much!

February 14, 2016	#1
JosephineRose Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: California Posts: 383	Timing your harvest I have an interesting problem this year. I've been given the incredible opportunity to work the Olympics in Rio. I'll be gone from the last week of July until the third week of August. Smack dab in the middle of my potential tomato harvest. I've been trying to work my head around how to handle this, as I don't want the fruit to come in while I'm gone. The way I see it, I have two options: I can start seeds now and go with early determinates and let everything die back during the month I'm gone, unattended. However, we have heat and good weather in my area right on through October. September is our hottest month of the year. I'm leaning towards a standard grow list and a very late start in mid April or May and a plant out in June, so that I only have someone water for me and hope my harvest comes in after I return August 23. It's a good dilemma to have, but a dilemma nonetheless. What are your thoughts?

February 14, 2016	#2
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	Angra Dos Reis will provide tomato amnesia.

February 16, 2016	#5
JosephineRose Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: California Posts: 383	That's a really good point. Although the rains are forecasted to return, we are in the middle of a week of mid to high 70s right now. It has been very warm! I've got space for 14 tomatoes, so I have enough room to try both... Take your suggestion for half of those spots and start seeds tomorrow for early varieties, and then do a second round for the late plant experiment and see what comes in when. Thanks very much!