Tomato Jim's Flagstaff, Arizona Tomatoes
In Flagstaff I have been picking ripe tomatoes nearly every day. The “Kellogs Breakfast” and “Black Carbon” have been the most numerous lately. The “Stupice” have slowed down. The “Cherokee Green” has numerous fruit on the plant, but none have ripened yet. Plants...
Tomato Jim's Clarkdale, Arizona Tomatoes
I have not mentioned in previous blogs that I am also growing four tomato plants at our other home in Clarkdale, AZ (elevation 3545 ft). These plants were put in at the same time as the Flagstaff plants (early May) but are growing in the ground rather than in...
How To Avoid Blossom End Rot On Tomatoes
Growing tomatoes can seem very easy for some folks and enjoying your own vine ripened heirloom tomatoes is a real treat. However, there are several issues that can arise seemingly out of nowhere and ruin what a tomato gardener thought was going to be a bountiful crop....
The Perfect Weather For Tomatoes
We are well into summer in early August and the tomato plants are growing vigorously and setting lots of fruit. In Flagstaff, Arizona we are now fortunate to be basking in the ideal temperature range for growing tomatoes: 55-85 degrees F. All species of tomatoes...
Tomato Jim's Tomato Varieties
Here are some details on the tomato varieties that I am growing this year: “Kellogg’s Breakfast” - This variety, originally from West Virginia, produces 1 lb firm pale to deep orange beefsteak-type tomatoes. The fruit are thin-skinned, meaty, have few seeds, and a...
Tomato Jim's Plants Survive Hail Storm
Already two major events have happened in July. An early hail storm struck the afternoon of July 2. About an inch and a half of marble-sized hail piled up and shredded most of the plants in our yard. However, due to the quick thinking of my spousal equivalent who ran...
Tomato Plants – Keeping The Soil Moist
The tomato plants are looking good, so far, and somewhat ahead of schedule for early June. Now that the “Walls-O-Water” are off and the plants seem to be growing vigorously, I want to add mulch around the base of the plants to insure the EVEN moisture that tomatoes...
Growers’ Tip
Avoiding Transplant Shock Many gardeners may be surprised to learn that large scale agriculture growers utilize transplants, especially in high-value vegetables, citrus trees and other cash crops. Just as the home gardener can experience some loss or...
Tomato Plants Continue to Grow
It’s the first week of June and temperatures have been consistently in the upper 70's to mid 80's by day and low-to-mid-40's at night, at least for the last two weeks. The average date for the last frost in Flagstaff is not until June 10th to 14, so the possibility...
Tomato Transplantation – Final Step
The next step in my transplantation process is assembling the plant supports that custom-fit my self-watering containers. These pieces conveniently snap together, but I also tie them with twine for extra security. Flagstaff at 7000 ft. still has nighttime...