A fresh tomato is one of the greatest joys of summer. Tomato plants grow better in the bright sun. While tomatoes thrive in Colorado, with many varieties and unpredictable weather conditions, you may find it challenging to choose when to plant tomatoes.
Determining the right season to plant tomatoes in Colorado will save you from the losses that come with poor timing, bad weather and weather-related pests. With proper timing, adequate land preparation, gardening, and proper choice of seeds, you can make a good harvest from tomatoes in Colorado.
If you are planning to plant tomatoes in Colorado and you don’t know when is the right time to do so, this article may be of great importance to you.
When is the right time to plant tomatoes in Colorado
Tomatoes are juicy fruits that can be eaten raw, make sandwiches, used as a spice in food or processed to make pastes and sauces. To produce quality tomatoes, timing is a very important consideration.
The best time to plant tomatoes in Colorado is after the dangers of frost. At the time of planting, night temperatures should be within the low and medium 40s while the day temperature should be at least 50. Cool daytime temperatures can easily interfere with the growth of tomatoes and lower the yield.
To be safe, most tomato farmers in Colorado use greenhouses to safeguard the tomatoes from temperature drops and cold winds while extending the growing season.
Tips for tomato planting in Colorado
Like any other vegetable or fruit, tomatoes need adequate water, fertile soils, fertilizer and enough sunlight to grow. Here are a few tips for tomato planting
Proper timing: Always plant tomatoes after frost, when the conditions are more favorable.
Location: You should plant tomatoes in a spot where they will be exposed to enough sunlight for at least 6 hours every day. The soils should remain warm and fertile at the time of planting and during the growing season.
Plant deep in the soils: Till the soils to a depth of 10-12 inches and plant in your tomatoes. This depth creates enough space for the roots to grow deep and make a firm standing for the tomatoes. If your farm soil is hard, you can loosen it by adding manure to soften its texture and drainage for the tomatoes to mature quickly.
Water consistently: Tomatoes require a lot of water to thrive. For this reason, make sure you water the tomatoes regularly because if you stop for a single week, they will start cracking.
Carry out maintenance practices: You need to take care of your plants for a better harvest. Remove all weeds and any lower leaves. Also, remove the yellow leaves because they can cause diseases. Removing leaves also enhances air circulation. If pests are on the tomato trees, make sure you use the appropriate pesticides to drive them away or kill them.
Tomatoes that grow well in Colorado
With the climatic conditions of Colorado, some people may find it very risky to plant tomatoes. However, despite the harsh climatic conditions, there are some varieties that grow well and produce a substantial number of tomatoes? An excellent example of tomatoes that do well in Colorado is the hybrid tomatoes and the heirloom tomatoes.
Heirloom tomatoes are rich in flavor but quickly get infections related to tomatoes. On the other hand, hybrid tomatoes are resistant to common tomato diseases.
If you wish to start early-season planting, you can try stapuce, early girl, and fourth of July. For Midseason planting, you can use the Acer and Champion. For cherry tomatoes, you can try sun gold or super sweet 100s.
Why should you consider growing tomatoes in greenhouses?
Gardening in Colorado may be challenging, especially during the spring when the temperature is unpredictable. For this reason, most people prefer planting tomatoes in a greenhouse so that their tomatoes are not significantly affected by varying weather conditions.
You can plant tomatoes in a greenhouse throughout the years to maintain the soil. In a single greenhouse, you can produce other vegetables and increase the productivity of the greenhouse by eliminating brooms for weeds to grow.
When to plant tomatoes in Colorado: Conclusion
Knowing when to plant tomatoes in Colorado and how to care for them will help you make appropriate decisions and get a bumper harvest. This article has all you need to know about tomatoes in Colorado. Hope you find the article helpful.