Mastering a Bountiful Tomato Harvest: A Guide to Your Homegrown Success!
Lighten Up and Get Juicy
I gotta tell ya, this year has been a gardening game-changer for me! I raked in way more tomatoes than ever before – more than the last decade combined! And let me tell you, this isn't some fluke; I've figured out a few secrets that you can use to make your tomato harvest shine.
In 2022, I was dealing with struggles you might relate to - tomatoes weren't exactlyFailing to Launch'. But then something incredible happened in 2023 - I am talking ripe, red, vine-ripe tomatoes galore! At one point, the harvest was so abundant, I even paused processing tomatoes because it seemed like I had enough for a two-year supply!
So, what changed? Weather wasn't entirely on my side, but there were a few things I straight-up did differently, and it made all the difference.
Weather & the Wild Card
In 2022, the scorching heat of May struck a full month earlier than normal in Arkansas, and it didn't let up until well into September. The sweltering weather, combined with a severe seven-week drought, was harsh on my poor tomato plants, causing blossom end rot and stunted growth. I didn't see any real harvest until the fall when the temperatures finally cooled – barely scraping by.
But in 2023? I hit the jackpot! It was a totally different story – sporadic and shorter heatwaves, way more rain, and lower temperatures allowed my tomato plants to flourish.
Pumps & Plant Picks
While I can't control Mother Nature, there are a few things I tweaked in 2023 that I believe catapulted my harvest into success. After enduring the disappointments of 2022, I learned some hard truths about my tomato-growing skills, and I made a bunch of changes.
First things first, I stopped planting in the ground and started using raised beds instead. The gorgeous, supercharged soil I used in the raised beds made all the difference. I also switched up the varieties, choosing ones better suited for the Southeast's heat and drought conditions.
One standout switch was from Amish Paste to Hungarian Heart. Both paste tomatoes, but Hungarian Heart proved to be the heavyweight champion for my climate. The fruit was meaty, perfect for making sauces, and incredibly plentiful – big enough to fill an entire bowl of salsa!
I also threw in a few other varieties to test their mettle and build my tomato arsenal:
- Pomodoro Squisito, a blossom end rot resistant variety I was impressed with!
- Paisano determinate tomatoes alongside Romas
- More Pink Fang tomatoes since they did well in 2022
Want to know more about these awesome tomato varieties? Check out this video
Lessons Learned
Sometimes It's a Gamble, Sometimes It's Just Good Growing
After last year's lackluster tomato season, I've learned something important: There are things I can control (like where I plant and the quality of the soil), and there are things I simply can't (like weather). I can't always predict when I'll have a stunning tomato year, but I can take note of weather patterns and plant behavior to make tweaks and adjustments for next season.
Never stop learning, never stop growing, because who knows – maybe your next tomato season will be the best one yet! Feel the burn!
Don't forget to share the love on Facebook, X (Twitter), Pinterest, Email, or WhatsApp, so your friends can get in on the tomato-growing game!
EXTRA NUGGETS!
Resources for a Homegrown Revival
Looking to up your gardening game? Check out these free resources to start growing your garden in style:
- For Beginners: The Basics
- Seasoned Gardeners: Advanced Tips and Tricks
- Variety Spotlight: Unique and Exceptional Tomato Varieties for Your Garden
Crank it up, and start growing incredible tomatoes today!
Here are the sentences that contain the given words:
- "If you're looking to up your gardening game, check out these free resources including 'Variety Spotlight' which highlights unique and exceptional tomato varieties for your garden."
- "Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you can find helpful resources at websites like home-and-garden, lifestyle and garden printables."
