The Master Gardeners of Yolo County shared tips on growing tomatoes in a column published March 11, offering guidance to local gardeners on selecting varieties and best practices for successful crops.
Tomatoes are a popular choice among home gardeners, and the advice aims to help residents take advantage of the region’s long, warm growing season. The column provides step-by-step recommendations, from soil preparation and timing to watering and variety selection.
Gardeners are encouraged to wait until the soil is consistently sixty degrees and nighttime temperatures stay above fifty degrees before planting tomatoes outdoors. The column notes that “tomatoes planted when the soil is still cold and the nights are cool will grow slowly and may not fully recover.” It also suggests using compost, organic fertilizer, and mulch to improve plant health. For those starting from seed, early March is recommended for indoor planting under lights.
When choosing tomato varieties, the Master Gardeners recommend focusing on types proven to do well in local conditions. Cherry tomatoes such as Sungold, Sun Sugar, Sweet 100, and Juliet are suggested as reliable options. Medium-sized varieties like Early Girl, Celebrity, Lemon Boy, Berkeley Tie Dye, as well as larger types including Hawaiian Pineapple and Costoluto Genevese are also listed. Disease resistance found in hybrid varieties is highlighted as an important consideration.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) supports these educational efforts through public contributions according to the official website. UC ANR promotes sustainable practices to strengthen resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to the official website, utilizing nine research and extension centers across California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website. The organization has gained recognition for linking research with community needs according to the official website.
UC ANR operates within all 58 counties in California through its Cooperative Extension services according to the official website, conducting over 33,800 educational events annually with more than 18,400 volunteers involved according to the official website. These programs deliver science-based information via workshops and partnerships supporting environmental stewardship and community development according to the official website.
Residents with gardening questions can contact jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu with “Ask MGs” in the subject line for further assistance.