We're Having a Heat Wave — Protect Your Tomato Plants

Bob Zeni, aka Chicago Tomato Man, Shares Tips

Photo by Chicago Tomato Man

Tomatoes thrive when growing in very warm weather. That's why their peak season here in the Great Lakes region (and other places) is mid-to-late summer.

But there are limits to everything. Here in the Chicago area, we're in the midst of the year's first long heat wave, with daytime temperatures near or above 90. The farther south you go, the more persistent this kind of summer heat is. And the kind of blast-furnace heat that makes most people uncomfortable can be downright deadly to tomato plants.

To the rescue comes Bob Zeni, better known as Chicago Tomato Man — also the name of his company that sells tomato plant starters to gardeners in the spring. (I highly recommend visiting his website just to peruse the astounding varieties of tomatoes he offers).

Bob sent out an email to followers today under the headline "Heatwave Strategies: Tips to Keep Your Plants Healthy." It contains action items from Lena Halberstadt, aka Jersey Tomato Chick (click here to follow on Instagram).

Since all I know about tomatoes is how to buy and eat them, I'm sharing their expertise below, with Bob's comments in italics at the beginning and end.

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Tomato plants love it between 65° and 85°. Above that, blossoms will fry and die. Lycopene production will stall — red-pigment tomatoes won’t ripen in 90°+ temps. Here are a few tips from tomato enthusiast @jerseytomatochick that will help keep your plants thriving:

• Mulch ado about something. Pile up at least 2 inches of additional mulch around all your plants to reduce evaporation.

• Morning do. Water in the morning. Evaporative cooling will keep plants’ root systems cooler during the day.

• A shade better. Install shade netting. A couple degrees cooler can make a big difference. Plus, netting catches morning dew, which contributes to the health of plants.

• Wet and wild. Place water stations for wildlife. Birds, insects and urban vermin are less interested in tomatoes if they have a more readily available source of water.

• Barrel ahead. Think long-term. Chances are this summer will have more days over 90°. Set out water barrels now to catch the rain and use the water when it gets hot & dry.

As always, I really appreciate your help in making the world a little safer from those tasteless travesties supermarkets claim are “tomatoes”!