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Growing Tomatoes In the North
In the Northern part of the country you might be lucky to get 100 frost-free days. With so little time, it doesn’t leave much time for error. Growing tomatoes in the north requires special techniques along with selecting quick maturing varieties.
When your growing season is short it’s important to pick a tomato the will ripen when temperatures dip below 58F at night. Some varieties will not set fruit if the temperature drops below 55F. Siberia, Glacier, and Fourth of July are just to name a few early tomatoes.
Early-Ripening Plants
Starting your tomatoes too early can be counterproductive same as starting them too late. To get the most out of your tomatoes, start seeds no more than 8 weeks before your first frost free date. The goal is to plant your tomato plant out in the garden before the first set of blossoms appear.
Using a windowsill to start your seeds might sound like a good idea, but its not. Tomato seedlings grown in a windowsill don’t get enough quality light plus the temperature is too high. When tomato seedlings grow in a warm area they tend to get long and spindly. Try using fluorescent lights to grow your seedlings. Fluorescent lights allow you to grow your early tomatoes in a different area like a basement or a spare room.
After the first true set of leaves appear its ok to transplant your young seedling. I like to use 4" to 5" plastic pots. Once transplanted I like to fertilize with half strength water soluble fertilizer or fish emulsion. The most common deficiencies can be solved with nitrogen. Yellow leaves and purple color on the under side of the leaves are all common signs of a deficiencies in nitrogen and phosphorus.
Fertile soil is especially important in potted plants; it’s also a good idea to prepare your garden soil with rich humus and a well balanced fertilizer.
Your tomatoes can be planted out before your last date for frost if you protect them form the cool nights. Using Wall O’Water, Cold frame, tunnels, and milk jugs can help your tomatoes get an early start. Stop covering your tomatoes when night time temperatures average 55F or higher.
Growing early tomatoes in the north is just a way of life. With less than 100 day of frost free nights it’s important to get the most out of your tomatoes. Using proper techniques will insure a successful harvest.
People are starting to take control of their own food!
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