For years and years I have tried to grow tomatoes. And it is so hot and dry here that they are never very happy and don't produce many tomatoes. This year, I came up with what I am hoping will be a solution to the extreme heat and lack of humidity. What I did was put my Tomato Plants in a wading pool with shade cloth over the top of them. They are able to get early morning sun and are sheltered from the afternoon sun. The shadecloth keeps in some of the humidity and with the pots sitting in water, the soil stays evenly moist. I still have to water them twice a day on the hottest of day. But, now they don't dry out between waterings which causes them to be too stressed. They have lots of flowers and I hope to this year actually get some decent tomatoes.
Great idea. I don't know if you are aware b/c I wasn't until this year. Tomatoes don't like to set fruit in hot weather (some say over 90 daytime temps and even worse if overnight temps are high) from what I've learned by reading about it (haven't tried yet) there are a couple of options, some tomatoes are more reliable at setting fruit at higher temps and choose one of those varieties. (easy google search). You can start them very early w/ an early setting variety (like early girl) and get your tomatoes before it gets hot, or you can spray w/ a fruit set spray (can get it any home and garden dept or store) or your home made fruit set spray 1-2 tbsp epsom salts and water. I'm sorry if this is kindergarden info you already knew.
Quote:I tried two different types this year... Purple Cherokee, and another one I forgot the name of it, but it is suppose to do good in the heat. Yes, it is hard when it is over 100 for Tomatoes to be happy, much less the rest of us!! We have had a few years where it is 100 or better from April to Sept! Thankfully those types of years are not frequent. In fact the past few weeks, it has been cooler here then in the Eastern States! And never worry about "kindergarden" type info, there are always people new to gardening, and many of us need reminders from time to time. Especially as we get older!
Great idea, You need to try the Solar Fire tomato plants. Seems like the more you abuse them the better they like it.
