Heat tolerant tomatoes: Growing tomatoes in hot weather
Typically, we plant tomatoes in the springtime once the cool weather has passed and before the hot weather arrives. And…
Dave “The Tomato Guy” Freed will help you grow great tomatoes
I’m Dave Freed, “the tomato guy,” a nickname that has stuck because I am passionate about growing tomatoes and helping people to grow great homegrown tomatoes. If you follow my lead, you'll be able to grow plants with more than 100 tomatoes on a single plant.
In addition to tomatoes, my techniques, methods, specific recommendations apply to most all vegetables. We need more home vegetable and tomato gardens. Many younger parents want to teach their children how to grow a vegetable garden. What could be healthier than a vegetable garden and homegrown tomatoes? I’m always happy to help when I can.
I live in Southern California and most notes apply to our growing season here. Make sure to adjust for weather conditions, day and nighttime temperatures, in your location. In general, the best time to plant is in spring, after the cold weather has ended and before hot weather arrives.
Before planting visit our tomato gallery below where you'll find lots of varieties, pictures and descriptions. Plant whatever varieties you like but make sure to plant at least one that will give you lots of tomatoes.
You are welcome to share this information with others. Share with your family and friends; share with the general membership of your club. I do this as a hobby. I love growing tomatoes and sharing what works for me. And if it works for me, it should work for you.
If you don’t have a “Green Thumb,” I’ll give you one…
If you apply the steps I show you here to all your garden vegetables, your other garden vegetable plants will grow bigger and taller and you will have more and bigger fruits and vegetables in your garden. The key to the biggest improvement will almost certainly be improving your soil.
Thanks,
Dave Freed “The Tomato Guy”
What’s in store for you on this website? Look at the photo below. That’s Dave with three tomato plants as featured in the Los Angeles Times. The plants — two “Better Boy” and one “Big Beef” — each have more than 100 pounds of tomatoes hanging from their vines. Keep scrolling for more pictures of great homegrown tomatoes and learn how you too can grow tomatoes easily.
The pictures of plants were all grown by me and more pictures will be coming. I tell you, “If I can do it, you can do it” because I show and tell you everything I do. For a larger view, click on each picture. Then, following the pictures, scroll through “Growing Advice” and if you don’t find answers to a question, you are welcome to email me. I’m pretty good at getting back to you. I want you to be successful.
In some pictures, leaves have been cut away to show the loads of tomatoes different varieties of tomato plants can produce. You will see plants grown in self-watering containers, you will see tomato plants 3-4 foot tall loaded with 50 to more than 100 6-10 ounce tomatoes. Also, in containers you will see 7 foot-plus tall plants loaded with 150 to over 200 …. 6-8 ounce tomatoes.
You will see some plants in the ground can produce over 100 pounds of tomatoes from a single plant. If I can do it, you can do it. I’ll show you how. If you don’t have a “Green Thumb,” I’ll give you one. It’s as simple as I’ll give you a shopping list of things to pick up, you purchase the products on the list and follow a few simple steps …that’s all it takes and you will grow tomatoes easily!
A hint on when to pick tomatoes. We tend to pick too soon. Wait until that tomato is a little soft…..just because it’s the right color does not mean it’s the right ripeness! You will see a big difference in flavor.
Typically, we plant tomatoes in the springtime once the cool weather has passed and before the hot weather arrives. And…
Dwarf tomatoes have been the talk of the town. A few years ago, grafted tomatoes were the talk and many people…
Reserve your date for a 45 minute – 1 hour presentation for your group/organization. For Southern California garden clubs, we…
They have turned red on the vine (or yellow for yellow tomatoes, pink for pink varieties, and so forth), Their…
Every year people ask about blossom end rot—a dark leathery spot on the bottom of the tomato. Your plant will…
There are hundreds of types of powdery mildew. Pictured below is what powdery mildew commonly looks like. It usually starts down…
Hot temps, especially inland, will begin to ramp up as summer comes on. Hot summer temperatures can bring your tomato…
I do not use pesticides.. Tomato plant disease and pests are everywhere … in the soil, in the air, maybe…
I have been using and testing sulfur dust on tomato plants. Sulfur dust is used as a preventative fungicide. Apply it…
What is mulching? In your regular backyard soil/raised beds—mulching is adding a three, four or event five inches deep of…
There is really no right or wrong in pruning. If your plant is growing out of control, it’s ok to cut…
Tomatoes are self-pollinators. This means each flower contains both the male and female parts. The male part will drop the…
Why cages? You want to keep the fruit up off the ground If you choose to use one of those popular…
Always lots and lots of questions about fertilizing tomatoes… Do I need to fertilize? What do I use and how…
Remember—Full grown mature tomato plants can easily use 2-3 gallons of water daily, sometimes more. Some may use 4-5 gallons…
Probably our biggest improvement in growing tomatoes and other garden vegetables will be planting those tomatoes and vegetables in great…
The most important factors when growing in containers will be container size and using great potting soil/ potting Mix. Size…
Raised beds, raised planters are a great way to grow garden vegetables. Sometimes the dirt on your property is simply…
What variety to plant??? Plant those varieties that will give you lots of tomatoes…..you will see many examples on this…
It was quite an honor to be featured in the Los Angeles Times weekend Gardening Section. Yes, I was both…
In the following pictures, leaves have been cut away to show the loads of tomatoes different varieties of tomato plants…
As you know I suggest specific brands of potting soil/mixes. Whether you are planting in a container, a raised bed,…
Plus or minus 4 hours of sunshine for smaller tomatoes such as Cherry Tomatoes. Larger size tomatoes need more sunshine.8-10-12…
For best results, you will need to address the following. What is Plenty of Sunshine—and you don’t need a lot.…
I’m Dave Freed, the tomato guy. I teach to you and others, on Zoom and in person at little or…
Our 45 minutes video shows all the details needed for success growing tomatoes in your home garder. See tomato plants with more than 100 tomatoes on each plant.
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