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Retrograde

(11,253 posts)
16. Tomatoes are (very) tender perennials
Mon Jul 14, 2025, 10:11 PM
Jul 14

in their native land, and the first frost will kill them. Here south of SF mine will blossom and even set fruit until early November, but the fruits won’t ripen outdoors. (otoh, they usually don’t even start fruiting until Mid August - the wonder of micro climates)

There are varieties that can be grown indoors and fruit most of the year, but they tend to produce small fruit. Some growers are raising tomatoes in plastic tunnels, which are supposed to extend the growing season, but I don't know much about this. I suspect it's labor-intensive, though.

So get ready for the rock-like pink spheres of my youth, or grow your own, or learn to eat seasonally. And get ready to pay a lot more for less.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

THERE'S NOBODY TO PICK THEM DOMESTICALLY YOU FUCKING MORONS!!!!! Prairie Gates Jul 14 #1
Beat me to it JustAnotherGen Jul 14 #9
US tomato growers will still raise their prices Justice Brandeis Jul 14 #2
I'm confused. Wouldn't that help California since more are grown in that state than any other? surfered Jul 14 #3
IIRC most California tomatoes are canned Retrograde Jul 14 #12
Total posturing via the administration. republianmushroom Jul 14 #4
great now we can repeal socialist price supports for american tomato growers. btw why are tomatos so inedible? msongs Jul 14 #5
They are trucked long distances so they have to be picked before they are ripe. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jul 14 #8
For what it's worth... DET Jul 14 #17
Sigh MissB Jul 14 #6
Whos going to show up to pick our tomatoes ???? Karadeniz Jul 14 #7
Does he even realize... Norbert Jul 14 #10
Mine were in the ground May 17. Ms. Toad Jul 14 #13
Tariffs are regressive sales taxes Dave says Jul 14 #15
Tomatoes are (very) tender perennials Retrograde Jul 14 #16
We have a local grower KentuckyWoman Jul 14 #11
Florida farmers are literally plowing over acre upon acre of perfectly fine tomatoes... EarthFirst Jul 14 #14
Seen earlier today Blue Full Moon Jul 14 #18
Yet, they deport people in the US who grow and harvest tomatoes tinrobot Jul 15 #19
Been trying to stock up on canned tomato products, using SNAP dollars.... Jack Valentino Jul 15 #20
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