Growing dwarf heirloom tomatoes in Georgia

Late September sees the last of homegrown tomatoes and the beginning of reliance on grocery store product. We have all winter to think about flavorful summer tomatoes. By June it becomes a craving.

In Metro Atlanta, mid-April is the time to plant tomatoes and begin the countdown to ripe tomatoes from the backyard or patio. April 15th is typically the last day of freezing here. Some gardeners plant earlier with success, but a late frost can kill a tomato plant. In my experience, planting earlier or later seems to make little difference in first fruit. Tomato plants grow little until they get enough sun and the soil warms.

Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of full sun and 8 hours for best success. A limitation to growing tomatoes is finding a spot with enough sun and the space for mature plants, which can top out at 6 feet. Some people grow tomatoes in containers or bales of hay, even putting them on their driveway to get enough sun. One solution to the space require-