![]() This fall, horticulturists in San Antonio are going to try to help tomato lovers “beat the odds” of a crop failure of late transplanted tomatoes. ![]() This is the perfect time to plant the cold-tolerant, cool-season transplants such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage but planting of tomatoes is generally discouraged unless extraordinary cold protection is to be used in December. That is when enjoyable weather peaks the gardening hormones and gardeners flock to nurseries to search for transplants of their vegetable favorites – tomato being number one. Unfortunately, the conventional recommendations are ignored by a majority of gardeners until the first fall cool-down occurs around September 15. The pattern is generally: “Plant large transplants by no later than August 15 use heat-setting varieties expect the first fall cool-down to occur a month after transplanting or around September 15 and this cool-down, especially of night-time temperatures, will cause blooms to set small fruit which will ripen in 50 to 60 days or by mid-to-late October.” If the cool-down does not occur until October, usually the first hard frost will kill plants before tomatoes can be ripened on the vine. (See Fall Direct Seeding and Transplanting Guide at: Hill Country gardeners should have planted by July 15th and South-of-San- Antonio gardeners should have their tomatoes transplanted by no later than September 15th.” All of these dates are determined by “typical weather patterns” experienced in these regions by vegetable growers. The conventional system for growing tomatoes for Thanksgiving is: “Tomato transplants should be in place by no later than August 15 if you expect to harvest a good crop before cold weather arrives in the San Antonio area. THE BETTER-LATE-THAN-NEVER TOMATO PLANTING SCHEME Watering tomatoes when planting and just afterwards. Tomato transplanting mistakes to avoid when setting out plants. Planting tomato plants: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Planting tomatoes: top tips to help your new crop succeed. When to Transplant Tomato Seedlings to Get the Healthiest Tomatoes. What’s the Best Spacing for Planting Tomatoes? How to Plant a Tomato Plant: A Step-By-Step Guide. Video: planting tomatoes special tips for late season planting Make sure to water plants each day for a week to help them adjust, especially if it's hot. After planting, place a folding chair or leafed branch over the plants to provide a little bit of shade during the first few days to help with transplant shock. Plant on an overcast day or after the heat of the day has past. Just be sure to check the plants to make sure they're healthy. Look for good deals and sales on seedlings at nursery centers and home improvement stores late in the planting season. Plus, your neighbors’ tomatoes may peter out weeks before yours are ready to eat – and you’ll help prolong their tomato-eating pleasure!Īs the season wears on, retailers are anxious to unload their stock. But with careful attention, you should be able to get some fruit even though your tomatoes will come in a couple of weeks later than everyone else. ![]() If you plant late, you won’t have neighborhood bragging rights to the first tomato of the season. When you plant tomatoes late, you must be especially vigilant with a consistent watering schedule to get them established.
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