So, let’s get growing and we look forward to seeing you at Tomatopalooza!
And if you’re passionate about tomatoes, there’s even more to love: these garden staples have a fascinating history and global footprint that might just surprise you.
Start with the Right Varieties
To get the most from our short tomato-growing season, select plants that perform well in cooler climates or have a shorter maturation period, such as Early Girl, Siberian, Better Boy, Celebrity and Stupice.
Sungold and Sweet 100 are cherry tomatoes known for their sweet flavor and rapid yield.
Tomato Trivia: Tomatoes come in a wide array of colors – including yellow, orange, green, purple, black and striped varieties. Try some Black Brandywine heirlooms or bite-sized Sungold varieties.
Tips for Growing Success
Getting a healthy crop in this region means being mindful of elevation, frost dates and water conservation. Start indoors (either seeds or seedlings) and transplant only after the danger of frost has passed (typically by mid-June). For unseasonably cold weather, frost cloth, water-filled season extenders or cold frames can help shield your plants.
Irrigating wisely will help your plants thrive, and we always advise using a drip irrigation system, which ensures deeper, more even watering while conserving this precious resource.
We also suggest rotating your crops and avoiding planting tomatoes in the same soil year after year. It will make your garden more productive and reduce the risk of disease buildup.
Tomato Trivia: Tomatoes have been cultivated since at least 700 A.D., originating in South and Central America. The Aztecs were among the first to grow them for food. Thomas Jefferson was an early champion of tomatoes in America, growing them at Monticello and helping to popularize their use in American cooking.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Northern Arizona growers can expect a few bumps in the road during the growing season:
- Cool Weather Yellowing or Purple Leaves: Usually a sign of phosphorus deficiency that corrects itself as the soil warms.
- Pests like Aphids and Whiteflies: Use insecticidal soap or remove them manually.
- Fungal Issues such as Early Blight: Remove infected plants promptly to prevent spread.
Tomato Trivia: For a very long time, tomatoes were considered poisonous in Europe and were prized more as a decorative plant instead of a food source – even in Italy! There are multiple reasons why. Botanists were worried because they (correctly) identified tomato plants as being related to deadly nightshade. Meanwhile, the acid in tomatoes caused lead to leach out of pewter plates, which did indeed cause illness, even if it wasn’t the tomato’s fault.
Join Us for Tomatopalooza
Warner’s Nursery is proud to present Tomatopalooza, our annual Memorial Day weekend event celebrating all things tomato! It’s a chance for gardeners of all levels to come together, browse dozens of tomato varieties and get expert tips on maximizing their harvest.
We’ll have helpful staff on hand, tomato-themed specials and all the supplies you need to make your tomato season a success.
Tomato Trivia: Last piece of tomato trivia for you. Tomatoes have been to space. American astronaut Frank Rubio cultivated the red beauty on the International Space Station. The Ziploc bag containing his harvest disappeared, however (and Rubio was even accused of eating it), but it turned out that in the weightlessness of space travel, it floated away and got lost. It was eventually found and Rubio was cleared of any vine crimes!
The big takeaway from Rubio’s story is that with a little patience, some planning, and the right guidance, you can pretty much grow tomatoes anywhere – even in Northern Arizona.
So, let’s get growing and we look forward to seeing you at Tomatopalooza! FBN
By Misti Warner-Andersen
Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.
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