Killer Tomatoes

Mistakes Can Doom That Perfect Summer Fruit

Hands on hips and nursing a broken heart, we stand before the tomato plant and ask, “How come I’m not getting any tomatoes?” Nature plays cruel jokes on gardeners.

Even one tiny, green tomato can raise spirits, but not satisfy yearnings for a slab of vine-ripened tomato, slathered in mayo and buried between good bread. Be dejected but understand tomato droughts may not be your fault.

Despite skill and experience, even the greenest thumbs can confront the same impasse. Tomatoes go on extended vacations.

Our city was blessed with perfect tomato fruit temperatures during May and into June. All those 80-degree days should have delivered an early season bonanza of the Sacramento treasure, the home-grown tomato. The remainder of the summer is where trouble brews. Understanding tomatoes may help avoid prolonged shortages.