A tomato plant can yield 10 to 15 lbs. or more of fresh red fruits.
When planting tomatoes in western North Carolina, it is vital that you wait until the final frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Tomato plants cannot handle freezing temperatures, and they need warm days to produce flowers. Does this Spark an idea?
Timing
Tomatoes in western North Carolina should be planted after the final frost date for your area. Final frost dates for western North Carolina range from April 24 in Asheville to May 21 in Waynesville. The McDowell County Extension Service, which is located near Asheville, recommends May 1 for the earliest plantings, with higher elevations and later frost dates planting tomatoes in mid to late May.
Considerations
The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension suggests planting seedlings or young plants in late afternoon or on a cloudy day. This will cause less heat stress for your plants. Clemson Cooperative Extension says that tomatoes grow best when daytime temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Varieties
The key to a healthy harvest is choosing a variety known to do well in your area. The NCSU Extension recommends Better Boy, Whopper, Celebrity and Mountain Pride for western North Carolina.
Tags: North Carolina, western North, Cooperative Extension, degrees Fahrenheit, final frost
