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Tomatoes, beloved worldwide, are the crown jewels of the culinary realm. Anticipation builds as we eagerly await the arrival of those succulent, sun-ripened fruits from our local farms. But when will the wait be over?
Table of Contents
Why are local tomatoes the best?
Flavor, flavor, flavor. Yes, tomatoes are highly nutritious. After that, you support your local farmers and your local economy. But really? The flavor blows you away. So why do tomatoes in season taste so much better?
- The variety.
Each variety of tomato has its own unique palate of flavors and texture. The tomatoes which are grown for shipping have been developed to withstand all of the handling and traveling and to arrive at the destination without bruising. They have thicker skins and a firmer texture, and usually not much flavor. Tomatoes which are grown near you have been selected with flavor as the top priority. They will have a thinner skin, more juicie, and they are bursting with flavor.
- When the tomatoes are harvested.
The local tomatoes are harvested vine ripened. Fresh tomatoes are picked when they are close to full maturity, so that the sugars and flavors have had a chance to mature as well. Shipped tomatoes are usually harvested while they are in the green, unripened stage, which means that the flavors have not developed. Most of the flavor develops in the tomato in the last 3-4 days of ripening.
- Storage time.
Local tomatoes are harvested and sold almost immediately, so that the sugars and flavors reach you, the customer. The tastiness of the tomato starts to decline after a week, so tomatoes that are shipped and held until they ripen not only never develop the full range of sugar and flavor that a tomato can have, but what flavor it had has already been reduced to a minimal level by the time you get it.
Now that we have established the why of wanting in-season tomatoes, let’s look at how to get them.
What do tomatoes need to grow?
- Daylight hours. Tomatoes need at least 10 hours of daylight in order to produce the flowers which develop into tomatoes. The exception to this is a day-neutral variety (see below).
- Warm weather. While tomato plants can tolerate and survive cool temperatures, they stop producing flowers or fruit when temperatures are below 55F (13C). Tomato plants have an ideal range of 55-85F (13-29C) to produce flowers and set fruit. Below 55F and the plants will not produce flowers or tomatoes. Above 85F, and the plants may drop flowers and not set fruit.
- Consistent water. Tomato plants need water every week for the plants to be healthy and produce healthy fruit. Consistent water is essential for the tomato plants to be able to access the nutrients in the soil
The obvious conclusion is that tomato season will be when there are sufficient daylight hours, warm weather, and consistent water which can then produce delicious tomatoes.
Wait a minute. We just described our ideal Memorial Day weekend in our area (Delaware), but generally there are not tomatoes available locally. (Keep reading, some farms make it happen.)
The typical growing season
The challenge for the farmer is that it takes 55-100 days for tomato plants to start producing tomatoes. The wide spread in the number of days depends on the variety. Generally, the smaller tomatoes, such as cherry or grape tomatoes, mature faster, and the larger tomatoes, especially the heirlooms, take longer. That means you need 55-100 days from the time you plant the seed until the time you get some tomatoes.
Since you have to wait for the ground to warm up, generally you cannot plant tomatoes outside till May 1. That means the earliest you could see some of the early tomatoes might be around July 1. Depending on the weather that year and the varieties of tomatoes, you could harvest tomatoes into October. Thus, a normal tomato season for zone 7a would be July 1-October 15.
Can you start the tomato season sooner?
In order to have tomatoes in June or May in our area, we have to start the seeds in an area where they get additional heat. We have the requisite daylight hours in February, but it is far too cold to plant outside. We start seeds in a heated high tunnel in January and plant young seedlings in February in the tunnel. That way not only is the air warm enough, but the soil is also warm enough for tomato plants. Passive solar heat is sufficient during the day to keep the plants comfortable. Supplemental heat is needed at night for a few months until the weather moderates. The high tunnel also provides protection in the fall, so that the plants continue producing into November. We go below 10 hours of daylight in mid-November, and the plants stop developing flowers. Even with supplemental heat, the tomato season is over.
Tomatoes in season in Delaware
Without extra protection, tomato season is normally July-September in our area. With additional support using the heated high tunnels, we have made our tomato season in Delaware last from May 25-November 15. August is the month when tomatoes of all kinds are plentiful. These tomatoes go directly to our customers in our CSA program and who come to the farm market.
What was that about day-neutral varieties of tomatoes?
As the name suggests, day-neutral means that these are varieties of tomatoes that produce regardless of the amount of daylight. The tomatoes are smaller, the flavor is not as robust, and the plants are less productive than the classic varieties, but it makes it possible to have tomatoes in the winter season that still have a decent flavor.
How to find out the local tomato season near you
To calculate the start of tomato season yourself, add 60 days to your last frost date in the spring. That is when you will probably see the first local tomatoes show up at a farm market or farmers market. Tomatoes will be plentiful about 90-100 days after the last frost.
Check the usual first frost date for the fall, and that is typically when the tomato season will be completely over. If your local farmer is using temperature protection in some manner, whether it’s row covers, tunnels, or heated tunnels, then the season will be extended in each direction.
Where to find scintillating tomatoes?
If you are not growing tomatoes yourself, and I encourage you to have one or two or more plants, then you want to find a local farmer. The best way to have a farm to table experience with tomatoes is to go to the farm.
You can participate in a summer CSA, you can go to a farmers market where there are multiple farmers, or you can go directly to a farm if they sell to the public. My favorite search tool, in addition to just asking Google to find a farm near you, is Local Harvest. Put in your town or zip code and Local Harvest can give you farms and descriptions of the farms.
FAQs
Q: When is tomato season for local tomatoes?
A: When you have the combination of more than 10 daylight hours, nighttime temperatures over 60F, and consistent water, you should see local tomatoes.
Q: How can some people have tomatoes before July 1?
A: Early tomatoes require starting the seeds inside, a heat mat, and a heated, protected environment in the early spring.
Q: Why are some tomatoes fast to mature?
A: Generally, the smaller the tomato, the faster it will ripen.
Q: Can I grow tomatoes in a container?
A: Yes, with a large enough pot and some support, a tomato plant can do very well.
Conclusion
When the local tomato season draws to a close, it’s a bittersweet farewell to the burst of flavor and freshness they brought to our plates. Yet, the cycle continues, promising another season of vibrant tomatoes grown by our local farmers. Embracing community-supported agriculture and local markets ensures that the legacy of exceptional tomatoes lives on, nurtured by the hands of our local farmers.
If you are close to our farm near Wilmington, Delaware, please come visit us. We grow in all four seasons and are open all year. You can find our own tomatoes here from late May through early November. If you are further away, please find a farm in your community or a local farmers market. Thank you for your support of sustainable agriculture.
Happy eating!
~ Ruth
Additional resources
https://www.ufseeds.com/delaware-vegetable-planting-calendar.html
https://garden.org/apps/calendar/?q=19713
https://www.tomatofest.com/Tomato_Growing_Zone_Maps_s/164.htm
You can find the daylight hours for your area here https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@z-us-19803 ; put in your zip code.