Frost damage on tomatoes
I have to say here at Becky's Greenhouse yesterday May 17th. I had doubled booked 2 groups coming, and forgot. We had the 4-Hers from Franklin Co here making buckets to decorate the fair grounds. Also had The Gardeners of North Iowa here for a meeting. We have a full meal for the Gardeners so they can come right after work and don't have to worry about supper. It is a way to say thank you to them. I pulled in extra help and it took all of us "5" to get the evening done. It was a great evening with the young 4-Hers and they so wanted to plant. LOVE that energy. I think the gardeners from the garden club had a good time. Now Thursday night a Ladies group from Rockwell will be here. On Friday at noon the Master Gardeners from Allamakee Co will be here for lunch, and spend part of the day in Dougherty. Journey's Past Flea market and store also will be open. So it looks like Friday is a day to be in Dougherty too.
Here is a little information about frost and tomato plants. I know some of you had damage with your tomatoes during last weekend. May 15th is our last day of frost...and what was Sunday morning, May 15th. What I found interesting that the cold temperature will slow the growth down and that will affect the production level of your tomato. Tomorrow I will post all the tomato varieties I have here. They are outside, getting hardened off to put into your garden. When we brought them out, the plant did wilt I call that Greenhouse wilt. But I am sure this morning they will look happier.
Taking a bite of the first ripe garden tomato of summer is an anticipated event of the warm-weather season. Tomatoes are widely grown, with more than 2,000 varieties harvested throughout the world. Unless you live in a frost-free climate, you need to prepare for when the temperatures drop if you want to preserve the frost-sensitive fruit.
It is no accident that tomatoes are associated with sun, warm weather and summer. Young plants are not planted outdoors until the risk of a spring frost has passed. For plants and fruit to develop properly, nighttime temperature should be greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit with daytime temperatures of at least 60 F. Otherwise, plant growth with be stunted and fewer fruits produced. Even a light frost can kill tomato plants and damage their fruit. So, it is important to know the first frost date for your area.
I had been asked how much damage on the plant before I know it is time to replace? You will have to use your own judgment. Tomatoes are tender and it looks like any damage will hurt the production of that plant.
In many cases, the plant revives as long as the entire plant wasn't frozen. I'd leave them, leave the shriveled leaves on them and let them drop off when they've dried (not to cause any more possible wounds to the plant), don't fertilize them or stress them in any other way, and see if the plants put out new leaves. If they're going to make it, you should see new growth in a week or so. Maters can surprise you with their resilience.
Good luck with your tomato plants. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse from Dougherty, Iowa
Here is a little information about frost and tomato plants. I know some of you had damage with your tomatoes during last weekend. May 15th is our last day of frost...and what was Sunday morning, May 15th. What I found interesting that the cold temperature will slow the growth down and that will affect the production level of your tomato. Tomorrow I will post all the tomato varieties I have here. They are outside, getting hardened off to put into your garden. When we brought them out, the plant did wilt I call that Greenhouse wilt. But I am sure this morning they will look happier.
Taking a bite of the first ripe garden tomato of summer is an anticipated event of the warm-weather season. Tomatoes are widely grown, with more than 2,000 varieties harvested throughout the world. Unless you live in a frost-free climate, you need to prepare for when the temperatures drop if you want to preserve the frost-sensitive fruit.
It is no accident that tomatoes are associated with sun, warm weather and summer. Young plants are not planted outdoors until the risk of a spring frost has passed. For plants and fruit to develop properly, nighttime temperature should be greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit with daytime temperatures of at least 60 F. Otherwise, plant growth with be stunted and fewer fruits produced. Even a light frost can kill tomato plants and damage their fruit. So, it is important to know the first frost date for your area.
I had been asked how much damage on the plant before I know it is time to replace? You will have to use your own judgment. Tomatoes are tender and it looks like any damage will hurt the production of that plant.
In many cases, the plant revives as long as the entire plant wasn't frozen. I'd leave them, leave the shriveled leaves on them and let them drop off when they've dried (not to cause any more possible wounds to the plant), don't fertilize them or stress them in any other way, and see if the plants put out new leaves. If they're going to make it, you should see new growth in a week or so. Maters can surprise you with their resilience.
Good luck with your tomato plants. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse from Dougherty, Iowa
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