Growers of fresh market tomatoes in California, Florida, Ohio and 17 other states with substantial commercial tomato acreage rely on field trials and experience to find the best cultivars. Local conditions, including weather and disease prevalence, factor into the farmer’s decision about what commercial seed to plant.
When to start growing tomatoes from seed indoors?
- Zone 3a: start seeds early April through mid-April, transplant in late May and early June
- Zone 3b and 4: start seeds mid-March through early April, transplant in mid-May to early June
- Zone 5 and 6: start seeds early March through mid-March, transplant in mid-April through early June
What not to grow with tomatoes?
What Not to Grow Near Tomato Shrubs
- Corn/Maize Corn earworm is a nematode that can destroy your tomato plant with its destructive larvae. ...
- Fennel Fennel is an enemy of many garden plants and Gardeners advise that it should not be planted close to other plants. ...
- Cabbage Image: Envato Elements Cabbage belongs to the family of Brassica and its brothers are Broccoli and Kale. ...
Do these 9 things to grow the best tomatoes ever?
Tomato Gardening Tips
- Start early inside. If you are starting with seeds, plant them indoors so you can get a jump start on planting outside as soon as the last frost has ...
- Place the seed trays in a warm area. This will help your tomato seeds grow into seedlings more quickly. ...
- Use new potting soil for seedlings. ...
- Label your seedlings. ...
What to feed Tomatoes for really fast growth?
Which fertilizer nutrients does a tomato plant need?
- Phosphorous is crucial for the growth and development of roots as well as fruit. ...
- Nitrogen takes care of the foliage, but too much nitrogen leads to bushy plants with little or no fruit.
- Potassium helps the plant grow rapidly and produce flowers and fruit. But it's very important when it comes to photosynthesis and tolerance to some diseases.
How are tomatoes grown commercially?
Commercially produced tomatoes generally are started as transplants in the greenhouse 42 to 56 days prior to planting in the field. Because tomatoes are a warm-season crop, they should not be transplanted until soil temperatures 3 inches beneath the soil surface reach 60°F.
Where are tomatoes mostly produced?
ChinaChina is the largest producer of tomatoes, followed by the United States and India. Other major players in the tomato market are the European Union and Turkey. Together, these top five tomato producers supply around 70% of the global production.
What are the top 5 tomato producing states?
Here's the list of top tomato-growing states for fresh-market tomatoes in 2018:California.Florida.Indiana.Ohio.Michigan.Tennessee.South Carolina.New Jersey.More items...•
What state is the largest producer of tomatoes?
The Top 10 Tomato Producing States In The United StatesRankUS StateProduction in thousand centum weight1California255,3882Florida7,5603Indiana4,9404Ohio2,8086 more rows•Sep 25, 2019
Where does the US import tomatoes from?
MexicoMexico is the leading exporter of fresh tomatoes to the United States, followed by Canada. Imports of Mexican tomatoes have had a tremendous impact on the US tomato industry. Mexican imports accounted for 90% of the imported tomatoes in 2015.
What country has the best tomatoes?
Which Are The World's Leading Tomato Producing Countries?RankCountryTomato production in 2017 (in tonnes)1China59,514,7732India20,708,0003Turkey12,750,0004United States10,910,99015 more rows•Oct 2, 2020
What state has best tasting tomatoes?
Discover why New Jersey Tomatoes have received a great deal of notoriety as being the best in the nation for their flavor, tenderness, and juiciness.
Which is the biggest tomato market in world?
The estimated total world production for tomatoes in 2017 was 182,301,395 metric tonnes, an increase of 1.6% from 179,508,401 tonnes in 2016. China was by far the largest producer, accounting for nearly 33% of global production....>1,000,000 tonnes.Rank1CountryChina201759,514,773201657,426,95519 more columns
Why are NJ tomatoes so good?
The Jersey Tomato varieties are bred for their taste and not for long-distance shipping, and will not last for weeks after picking. They are vine-ripened when picked and are best eaten within days of purchase.
Is there a tomato shortage 2022?
“We haven't had a good crop since 2018,” he says, “so we've been short in 2019, 2020, 2021, and we're going to be short again in 2022.” But this may not be simply because of recent trends. The Washington Post reported that the tomato shortage may have been a long time coming.
How much is an acre of tomatoes worth?
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has calculated average income from one acre of tomatoes. Half the time, a grower will net about $950 per acre. One year out of six, the grower can expect to earn more than $1,400 per acre.
Which country exports the most tomatoes?
Exports In 2020 the top exporters of Tomatoes were Mexico ($2.62B), Netherlands ($1.82B), Spain ($1.11B), Morocco ($852M), and Canada ($448M). Imports In 2020 the top importers of Tomatoes were United States ($3.01B), Germany ($1.59B), France ($735M), United Kingdom ($581M), and Russia ($514M).
What climate are tomatoes grown in?
Tomatoes grow best when the daytime temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They stop growing above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If nighttime temperatures are above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the fruit will not turn red. Tomatoes need full sun and warm, well-drained soil.
Which country exports the most tomatoes?
Exports In 2020 the top exporters of Tomatoes were Mexico ($2.62B), Netherlands ($1.82B), Spain ($1.11B), Morocco ($852M), and Canada ($448M). Imports In 2020 the top importers of Tomatoes were United States ($3.01B), Germany ($1.59B), France ($735M), United Kingdom ($581M), and Russia ($514M).
What country produces the most tomatoes 2020?
China is the largest tomato producer in the world with 62,869,502 tonnes production per year.
Which country is the largest producer of tomatoes in Africa?
With an annual output of 2.4 million tonnes, Nigeria is the largest producer of tomatoes in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the 13th in the world.
How much does it cost to grow tomato plants?
Tomato is a high cost, high value and high risk crop. Yields of 650 to 850 boxes (30 lbs. per box) per acre can be reached or exceeded. Production and marketing costs can exceed $9,000/acre.
How do tomato production costs vary?
Production costs for tomatoes vary from farm to farm, since different input mixes are utilized by different growers. Soil conditions, weather, the grower’s experience, and his personal preference will alter cultural practices, chemical application rates, and the number of labor hours needed to produce the tomatoes.
How many fruits are in a 5x6 tomato box?
USDA grade standards are available for tomatoes. Market requirements, however, must take precedence. Fresh tomatoes in general are sized in accordance with the number which can be packed per layer in a standard tomato box, e.g., 5 x 6’s pack five fruits the width of the box and six fruits the length of the box.
What is the best soil for tomato plants?
Tomatoes require a well-drained soil for optimum growth. For early production, tomatoes should be planted on loamy sand or sandy loam soils. Tomatoes should be planted in a 3 or 4 year rotation to minimize disease problems that carry over in the soil. Pepper, eggplant and potato are closely related to tomato and should not be in the crop rotation plan with tomatoes, since they all have several common disease problems. Rotation is especially useful in reducing the incidence of wilts, bacterial diseases, nematodes and some foliage diseases. Corn, small grains and legumes are good rotation crops.
How long does it take for a tomato to ripen?
It takes 40 to 50 days from the time a tomato flower opens until it produces a ripe fruit. Setting plants in the field early encourages early blossom formation. Early spring transplanting is important to enable the plants to set fruit before high temperatures occur.
What equipment is needed to grow tomatoes in Oklahoma?
Although many areas of Oklahoma receive adequate annual rainfall to produce a tomato crop, distribution patterns make it much too risky to rely on rainfall only. The larger the acreage and the more money invested in the crop, the more necessary irrigation becomes. Water must be available when needed. Table 1 provides an estimate of total operating costs associated with producing staked tomatoes in Oklahoma for one possible input mix. Table 2 shows the effect of yield and price on the growers’ return above total operating costs. This return must cover overhead, risk, management and ownership costs of machinery, equipment and land.
What are the factors that determine tomato varieties?
Selection of tomato varieties for the home or market garden should consider factors such as productivity, fruit characteristics, and disease resistance. Resista...
What You Need to Know About Growing Tomatoes Commercially
Tomatoes are immensely popular, and there are plenty of varieties that can make you a steady profit. If you’re thinking about growing tomatoes commercially, here’s a guide to get you started.
Study Your Local Tomato Market
In Florida, there are two potential harvesting times for tomatoes. You can plant them soon after the last frost, most often in early February. These crops will be ready for the market in early summer. You can also plant in September and harvest in late fall or early winter.
You Need a Spacious Farm to Grow Tomatoes
Tomatoes are notorious for needing a lot of sunlight and a lot of air circulation. For this reason, you need to plant them a distance away from other tall plants and trees. They also shouldn’t be too close to any buildings for this reason. Before you invest in tomatoes, make sure your property’s layout will accommodate them.
Axillary Growth Can Put a Serious Damper on Your Crop Yield
Tomato plants have a tendency to produce a lot of axillary growth. This can crowd nearby plants and divert resources from your apical buds, leading to a smaller yield.
Invest in Plastic Mulch
Many people who grow tomatoes in their personal garden use cheaper mulch options. If you want a successful commercial operation, though, plastic mulch is worth the investment.
You Can Boost Your Yield by Trellising and Clipping Your Plants
If you’ve never grown tomatoes on a large scale, you make not know that the plants can grow to 30 feet tall or more. It’s imperative to control your plants’ growth by training them from their early stages.
Research Distribution Channels Before You Start Growing
This is a common mistake among new farmers or farmers who want to add a new crop. The last thing you want to do is invest in your tomatoes and end up with a giant yield with nowhere to sell it.
Where did tomatoes originate?
The tomato originated in the area extending from Ecuador to Chile in the western coastal plain of South America. The tomato was first domesticated in Mexico where a variety of sizes and colors were selected.
How many tons of tomatoes are produced in the US?
Today more than 400,000 acres of tomatoes are produced in the United States. The yearly production exceeds 14 million tons (12.7 million metric tons), of which more than 12 million tons are processed into various products such as soup, catsup, sauce, salsa and prepared foods.
Why use plastic mulch for tomatoes?
The use of plastic mulch in the commercial production of staked tomatoes is almost universal in the south-east. Plastic mulch is used to promote earliness, reduce weed pressure, and to conserve moisture and fertilizer. Most often drip irrigation is used in conjunction with plastic mulch. There are both advantages and disadvantages to producing crops under this system.
What is the most widely grown vegetable in the United States?
History, Significance, Classification and Growth. William Terry Kelley and George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturists. The tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most widely grown vegetable in the United States. Almost everyone who has a garden has at least one tomato plant.
What is Georgia Vegetable Team?
This publication is a joint effort of the seven disciplines that comprise the Georgia Vegetable Team. It is comprised of 14 topics on tomato, including history of tomato production, cultural practices, pest management, harvesting, handling and marketing. This publication provides information that will assist producers in improving the profitability of tomato production, whether they are new or experienced producers.
Why is tillage important for tomato production?
For tomato production, proper tillage is crucial for adequate soil management and optimal yields. Land preparation should involve enough tillage operations to make the soil suitable for seedling or transplant establishment and to provide the best soil structure for root growth and development.
How much vitamin C is in a tomato?
One medium ripe tomato (~145 grams) can provide up to 40 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C and 20 percent of Vitamin A. They also contribute B vitamins, potassium, iron and calcium to the diet. There are two types of tomatoes commonly grown. Most commercial varieties are determinate.
Where are tomatoes grown in the US?
California State produces 255,388 thousand centum weight (cwt) of tomatoes each year. Consequently, it is the highest producer of tomatoes in the US and among the highest tomato producers in the world. More specifically, approximately one-third of the world’s tomatoes and 95% of United States’ tomatoes are produced in California . Some of the areas where tomatoes are grown include Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley. Production mostly takes place in Solano, Merced, Sutter, and Stanislaus counties. The major planting periods are from late January-early June whereas the harvesting season ranges from late June-October.
Which states produce tomatoes?
The three topmost producers of tomatoes in the US are Indiana, Florida, and California. Nonetheless, among the top 10 states that produce large quantities of tomatoes are Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, New Jersey, California, Michigan, and Indiana. Besides the tomatoes being sold in the fresh vegetable markets, ...
What season do tomatoes grow in Florida?
Some of the popular types of tomatoes grown in Florida are Floragold, Everglades, and Better Boy. Planting seasons suitable for this state are March and August. The state of Florida produces about 50% of the fresh tomatoes in the US. 3.
What are the challenges faced by tomato farmers?
Challenges Faced By The Tomato Producers. The first challenge is the global climate change that has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns. Thus, farmers have had to invest more in irrigation due to the longer periods of sunshine.
What are the viruses that tomato plants have?
Finally, tomato growers also contend with common tomato viruses such as early blight, leaf mold, blossom end rot, and verticillium wilt among others.
Where are the best commercial tomato varieties grown?
The Best Commercial Tomato Varieties. Growers of fresh market tomatoes in California, Florida, Ohio and 17 other states with substantial commercial tomato acreage rely on field trials and experience to find the best cultivars.
Where are tomatoes grown in California?
Southern California growers grow vining tomatoes on poles, preferring Bingo, Merced, Tango and Celebrity, according to the state extension service.
What is the best Roma tomato to grow in California?
The most common Roma varieties planted in California’s Central Valley are Hybrid 882, Yaqui and Monica. Tennessee extension officials also recommend Hybrid 882, while those in Georgia list BHN 685, Plum Crimson, Plum Daddy and Puebla as best for canning and saucing tomatoes.
What factors affect the decision of a farmer to plant a tomato seed?
Local conditions, including weather and disease prevalence, factor into the farmer’s decision about what commercial seed to plant. Greenhouse growers of fresh tomatoes throughout the nation have a simpler choice to make, given a shorter list of outstanding varieties.
What fruit is grown in hoop houses?
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma, which studies ways to enhance agricultural productivity, found that Merced tomatoes produced the largest fruit in hoop houses, Celebrity performed well, and Bush Early Girl produced marketable salad tomatoes. Hoop houses resemble simpler, less permanent greenhouses.
When are tomatoes sold in Pennsylvania?
Marketing. Depending on location, fresh-market tomatoes are produced in Pennsylvania from the first of June (in a high tunnel) to the end of October. Fresh-market tomatoes are usually sold loose in bulk containers. Tomato cultivars recommended for Pennsylvania are listed below.
How many acres of tomatoes are there in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania produces about 4,000 acres of fresh-market tomatoes with an annual value of between $15 and $25 million. Processing tomato production has historically been an important part of the tomato industry in Pennsylvania, but it has declined in significance in the past decade.
How to string tomatoes?
First, wooden stakes 4 to 4.5 feet long and 1 inch square are driven into the ground to a depth of 12 inches. A consistent stake height should be maintained to aid in spray applications without constant adjustment of the boom sprayer. Stakes should be driven between every two plants and twine woven through the stakes to support the tomato stems. Second, twine should be secured to the end stake and strung along one side of the plants by weaving the twine around each stake. Repeat this procedure on the other side. The first level of twine should be at 8 to 10 inches above the ground and the last two levels should be approximately 6 to 8 inches apart. Normally, only three levels of twine are needed. Waiting until wet plants have dried before stringing tomatoes will help reduce the potential for spreading fungal diseases.
How much nitrogen is needed for tomato plants?
According to Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, tomatoes will require 80 to 90 pounds of N, 100 pounds of P2O5, and between 100 and 200 pounds of K2O during the growing season.
What are the problems with tomato plants in Colorado?
Insects, especially Colorado potato beetles, can be a major problem in tomato production. Initial spring beetle populations generally will not feed on the tomato plants but will mate and lay thousands of eggs per acre. Early control of adult Colorado potato beetles can prevent crop losses.
How many tomato plants per acre?
Growers generally plant 2,600 to 5,800 plants per acre in single rows with 18 to 30 inches between plants in the row on 5.0- to 6.5-foot centers. A double row of compact tomato varieties also can be planted on each plastic-covered bed (10,000 plants per acre).
What is a pick your own tomato farm?
Roadside stands (either your own or another grower's) and pick-your-own operations provide opportunities to receive prices higher than wholesale for your tomatoes, but you may have some additional expenses for advertising, building and maintaining a facility, and providing service to your customers. With pick-your-own operations, you save on harvest costs, but you must also be willing to accept some waste and assume the risks of having the public come to your farm. For more information on marketing, consult Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-scale and Part-time Growers, Developing a Roadside Farm Market, and Cooperatives.
What is tomato culture?
Two systems exist for greenhouse tomatoproduction. They are referred to as either soil orso illess culture. Soil culture means that tomatoesare grown under a greenhouse cover in a plot ofsoil using similar techniques to those used in thefield. Soilless culture (also called hydroponics)refers to growing tomatoes where the necessaryfertilizers are delivered to the root system inbalanced levels in water solution. With soillesssystems, plant roots are growing in water, sand,wood bark or an artificial soil mix availablethrough various greenhouse suppliers.
What are the problems with tomato plants?
Tomatoes grown in soil culture are subject tonematodes, fusarium and verticillium wilt,botrytis, leaf mold, early and late blight, foliar andfruit bacterial problems and viruses. These canoccur as a single problem or a combination of twoor more at a time. Total or marketable yields canbe reduced by 10 to 80 percent, depending on theseverity of one or a combination of these diseases.
Can tomato plants be staked?
Tomato plants must be supported, regardless ofthe growing system. In soil systems, they can eitherbe staked individually or the ÒFlorida WeaveÓsystem can be installed. The ÒFlorida WeaveÓ ismost commonly used and is illustrated in Figure 4.
Introduction
Production Requirements
- The tomato is a warm season crop, killed by freezing temperatures and injured by light frosts. Tomato blossoms will not set fruit for economical yields if day temperatures rise above 94 F, or if night temperatures remain above 70 F or drop below 60 F. Tomato fruit that set under low night temperatures are often cat-faced, reducing their market value. Tomato fruit sets best if the aver…
Variety Selection
- One of the most critical decisions a grower makes, aside from the decision to plant the crop, is the variety to use. Only tried and true varieties should be utilized. Observation of untried varieties is encouraged but should be limited to 15 to 20 plants per variety. Recommendations for commercial tomato varieties are available in Extension Fact Sheet HLA-6035, “Commercial Vege…
Sites & Soils
- Tomatoes require a well-drained soil for optimum growth. For early production, tomatoes should be planted on loamy sand or sandy loam soils. Tomatoes should be planted in a 3 or 4 year rotation to minimize disease problems that carry over in the soil. Pepper, eggplant and potato are closely related to tomato and should not be in the crop rotation plan with tomatoes, since they al…
Fertilization
- Tomatoes do best at a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Submit a soil sample in the fall or well ahead of planting time to allow adequate time to apply lime to adjust pH. If a fall cover crop is to be planted, apply lime at that time. Liming of acid soils, particularly in southeastern Oklahoma, will increase fertilizer efficiency and help reduce the incidence of some physiological disorders such as bloss…
Sources of Transplants
- Practically all the Oklahoma tomato crop is transplanted. Transplanting is necessary in the spring to give the plants a six-week size advantage over direct field seeding. This allows the plant to set a crop of fruit before onset of high summer temperatures. Transplanting also reduces seed required per acre. Hybrid tomato seed cost may approach 10¢ per seed or more than $250 per o…
Soil Preparation and Bedding
- The tomato is a relatively deep rooted plant. If unobstructed, its roots will penetrate 5 feet or more in depth. The soil should be plowed deep well ahead of planting, preferably in the fall during preparation for a cover crop. Prior to planting in the spring, disk the ground to thoroughly mix the cover crop stubble. In most areas of Oklahoma, but particularly in west and southwest Oklahom…
Mulching
- Black plastic mulch increases earliness and total yield of marketable tomatoes. The mulch helps warm spring soils, regulates soil moisture loss, prevents weed growth, (except nutsedge) and reduces the incidence of cull fruits. Most plastic mulch is 36 to 48 inches wide on rolls 2,000 feet to 2,400 feet long. Many types and brands of mulch are available commercially. Do not sacrifice …
Spacing and Transplanting
- Transplants should be four to six weeks old, properly hardened off, but not stunted. They should be 8 inches to 10 inches tall with thick, stocky stems, dark green color and well developed root systems. Space transplants so indeterminate plants have 15 square feet (2.5 feet x 6 feet); vigorous determinate plants have 12 square feet (2 feet x 6 feet); and very determinate plants ha…
Weed Control
- An adequate selection of herbicides is available for chemical weed control in tomatoes. Due to rapidly changing labels, they are not listed here. Refer to Extension Circular E-832 for a list of herbicides cleared for use on tomatoes. Follow label directions.