You shouldn’t grow tomatoes in Aurora because: a) the climate is too dry; b) the soil is wrong for tomatoes; c) it gets too cold at night; d) and critters and slugs will destroy the fruits.
You should grow tomatoes in Aurora because: a) Are you kidding? A ripe tomato, sun-warmed in the garden, remains one of the greatest tastes in the world.
The latter argument usually wins, which is no surprise considering that 93 percent of Americans who garden grow tomatoes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
No one mistakes Colorado for New Jersey, California or any other state famous for growing great tomatoes.
“We don’t have the ideal climate for tomatoes but people find ways to grow them,” said Sundari Kraft, a veteran gardener who teaches gardening classes at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
The first step, she said, is to pick a garden spot for your plants that will get full sun — six to eight hours a day.
Avoid spots near walls or fences where they might get “roasted” on very hot summer days. Also, tomatoes need rich, composted soil covered with mulch to help roots retain moisture.
Local experts including the Colorado State University Extension recommend tomato varieties for growing in the metro area such as Big Boy, Big Beef, Good-n-Early, Early Girl, Lemon Boy, Roma, Royal Chico and Sweet 100.
Kraft doesn’t recommend growing the larger beefsteak-sized varieties because they are harder to ripen in our climate and more susceptible to damage from bugs, animals and harsh weather because they hang on the vine so long.
Opt instead for the bushy cherry or grape tomato varieties that fruit faster and more often. “You might get a little more satisfaction and get more tomatoes to eat,” she said.
Many veteran gardeners have started tomato plants from seed that are growing right now in April so they’ll be ready to transplant on Mother’s Day. But the process requires creating an ideal environment with enough light, humidity and warmth. You may need “heating pads, grow lights and a lot of time to grow from seed but it can be done,” Kraft said.
For most casual gardeners she advises starting with plants or seedlings, especially ones grown by local gardeners and farmers.
Watch the water. Too much, and tomatoes won’t set fruit well. Too little, and the plants become stressed and die. Same with fertilizers. Too much produces beautiful plants with little fruit.
GARDEN WARRIORS — April’s Cover Package
GARDEN WARRIORS: The Growing War in Aurora
GARDEN WARRIORS: Oh Yes You Can
GARDEN WARRIORS: Putting Down Roots
GARDEN WARRIORS: Grow, Grow, Grow Your Own
GARDEN WARRIORS: Something Old is Something New
GARDEN WARRIORS: Think Inside the Box
GARDEN WARRIORS: Five Garden Inventions That You Will Root For