Texas Tomatoes
Accumulating my notes for gardening in Central Texas (zone 8b/9a). I hope that this assists you in your garden journey as well! As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Tomato
I love you from my head to-ma-toes.
Planting Season
Spring (late February – early March) *preferred*
Fall (late August – early September)
Sowing & Planting
Spring plantings:
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost (late January–early February).
Transplant outdoors once soil is warm and night temps are reliably above ~50°F (often late March–early April in Central Texas).
Fall plantings (optional):
In parts of Central Texas, fall transplants from mid-July to early August can beat the intense summer heat and extend production into the cooler fall.
Square Foot Gardening Size
Large – 1 per square foot. Larger indeterminates may need 2-3 sq ft each.
Hydroponics
Yes, small varieties of cherry tomatoes in a larger hydroponics system
My Preferred Varieties
Heatmaster (Hybrid, slicing)
San Marzano (Heirloom, canning)
Yellow Pear (Heirloom, hydroponics, cherry)
Companion Planting
Good Companions
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Borage
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Calendula
- Chives
- Black-Eyed Peas
- Radishes
- Sage
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Cilantro
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Clover
- Lavender
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Sweet Allysum
- Thyme
Bad Companions
- Cucumbers
- Cole crop (brassicas)
- Corn
- Fennel
- Dill
- Nightshades (eggplant, peppers, and potatoes)
- Sweet corn
- Rosemary
Requirements, Plant Care, and Maintenance
Soil
Tomatoes grow best in soil with lots of organic matter, and little compost. Till the top 8-10 inches of soil several weeks before planting. Spread 2-3 inches of organic matter over the planting area and mix into the top 4-6 inches of soil.
Water
Water in plants slowly and deeply to help them develop strong roots. Do not let them wilt or your yields will suffer.
Can benefit from a 2 inch layer of straw mulch, and/or an olla to assist during the summer.
Support
Staking or caging is strongly recommended.
Pruning
Prune to keep a more orderly vine. Remove small side shoots and suckers.
Tips and Tricks
- Blossom end rot is a common issue. Try breaking an egg in the bottom of the hole when planting to provide extra calcium for your tomatoes. Calcium-magnesium amendments can be used to prevent/correct blossom end rot.
- If it is too hot (as it often is in Texas summers) tomatoes are less likely to form fruit. Heat hardy varieties, determinate varieties, and early seed starting can help.
Harvesting and Using
Harvesting
Best quality is picked at full color, but if you’re experiencing pests, splitting, or other issues, you can harvest when they just barely start to turn red, then let them ripen indoors at room temperature.
For green tomato recipes, pick unripened fruit as opposed to intentionally green heirloom varieties.
Storing
- Fresh at room temp (short term)
- Dehydrated, in olive oil, in fridge.
- Freeze-dried
- Pureed and frozen
- Canned (water bath)
Seed Saving/Heirloom notes
Save tomato seeds from fully ripened fruit. Seeds must be fermented for 3-4 days before fully drying.
Seeds can only be saved from open-pollinated (heirloom or heritage) to ensure that the fruit will be similar to the parent.
To prevent cross-pollination, plant different tomato varieties at least 35 feet from eah other.
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