Can You Grow Tomatoes in the Fall?

For tomato lovers, the end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of fresh, homegrown tomatoes. With some planning and preparation, it’s possible to grow tomatoes well into fall and enjoy their delicious flavor even as the weather cools.

Why Fall Tomatoes?

There are several advantages to growing tomatoes in fall:

• Cooler temperatures often produce better fruit set and flavor The cooler fall nights help concentrate sugars and acids in the tomatoes

• There are fewer insect problems to deal with in fall. The heat of summer brings lots of tomato pests, but their numbers decline as temperatures drop.

• You get two tomato harvests per year instead of just one! This allows you to enjoy vine-ripened tomatoes for an extended period.

• Starting with new plants in fall helps avoid disease problems that can build up over a growing season. Fresh transplants have no disease carryover

• Some gardeners find their fall tomatoes outproduce their spring/summer crops! The moderate temperatures are ideal for tomato growth.

Timing Fall Tomato Planting

Timing is crucial for success with fall tomatoes. Here are some guidelines:

• Start fall tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your anticipated transplant date

• Transplant fall tomatoes into the garden around July 1st to July 15th. The timing depends on your climate.

• In hot southern climates, plant in early July. In cooler northern climates, planting can extend into early August.

Planting fall tomato transplants during this mid-summer window allows enough time for the plants to become established before they start setting fruit. But it also makes efficient use of the remaining warm weather of summer.

Choosing Fall Tomato Varieties

Pay attention to tomato variety when selecting seeds or transplants for fall planting. The best varieties for fall harvest include:

• Small-fruited tomatoes – Cherry and grape tomatoes produce lots of fruit in a short period of time. The small size results in early maturity.

• Early to mid-season varieties – Look for maturity dates under 80 days. These set fruit and ripen quickly.

• Heat-tolerant varieties – Some cultivars handle heat better than others. Prioritize heat-tolerance.

• Determinate types – These grow to a compact, bushy form instead of sprawling vines. They work well for fall’s condensed timeframe.

Popular varieties that meet the above criteria include Sungold, Sweet 100, Early Girl, Celebrity, Ultra Girl. When reviewing seed catalogs and plant tags, keep days to maturity and heat tolerance in mind.

Caring for Fall Tomatoes

Here are some tips for taking care of your fall tomato plants:

• Tomato transplants need extra watering when first planted in mid-summer heat. Water new transplants daily for the first week or two.

• Mulch around transplants to conserve soil moisture and reduce watering needs. Straw and leaves make great organic mulch.

• Provide temporary shade to prevent sun scald on tender young transplants. Use shade cloth or improvise with items like old sheets.

• Fertilize when planting and again once fruit sets. Fish emulsion or compost tea give plants a nutrient boost.

• Check plants daily for ripening fruit. Pick tomatoes as they start to show color before pests find them.

• Harvest all tomatoes before heavy frost. You can ripen any green tomatoes indoors.

Managing Fall Tomato Problems

Growing fall tomatoes has its challenges but also rewards. Here are some potential issues and solutions:

• Hot, dry soil can hinder establishment of transplants. Water deeply and use mulch. Don’t plant too early while soil is still very warm.

• Early frosts can end the harvest prematurely. Cover plants or pick green fruit before frost. Choose early-bearing varieties.

• Pollination and fruit set suffer during late-season heat waves. Little that can be done except wait for cooler weather.

• Fungal diseases increase in fall. Stake plants for airflow. Water at soil level. Remove infected leaves promptly.

• Root-knot nematodes thrive in warm soil. Solarize soil to reduce nematodes before planting.

• Spider mites and whiteflies multiply in hot, dry conditions. Hose plants down and release beneficial insects.

Extending the Fall Tomato Harvest

With some clever techniques, you can maximize your fall tomato harvest:

• Start seeds of short-season varieties in late summer for late transplanting. Cherry tomatoes work well for this.

• Take cuttings from spring tomato plants in late summer and root them for fall transplanting.

• Pot up tomato suckers that form on spring plants and keep them growing for fall transplanting.

• Cover plants with fabric row cover to protect them from light frost. Remove covers daily.

• Pull up entire plants before heavy frost and hang in garage or basement to continue ripening.

• Harvest green tomatoes before frost and ripen indoors. Check often as they will ripen quickly.

Enjoying More Fall Tomatoes

With proper planning and care, it’s possible to enjoy ripe, garden-fresh tomatoes well into fall. Pay close attention to variety selection, timing, and protective measures needed for success. The rewards of extra weeks and months of homegrown tomatoes make the effort worthwhile!