Growing Tomatoes Well

Description

Tomato lovers rejoice—you can, indeed, grow tomatoes well on the Olympic Peninsula! But there are things you need to know to get them growing and Clallam County Master Gardeners has you covered! Join veteran Master Gardeners Judy English, Laurel Moulton, David Rambin, Jeanette Stehr-Green and Audreen Williams on Saturday, May 17th from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road in Sequim for the Digging Deeper Saturdays presentation “Growing Tomatoes Well” and find out what it takes to grow terrific tomatoes. Tomatoes are warmth-loving plants. Unfortunately, our short growing season and cool temperatures can prevent tomato plants from setting fruit or keep fruit from ripening before the weather turns cold. Our Master Gardener panel has grown tomatoes for years in Clallam County and has confronted the many problems associated with this crop. They have experimented with many different approaches and have grown tomatoes in the ground, in hoophouses and greenhouses, and in containers. Participants will find out what tomato varieties grow best in our area and how to plant tomatoes to optimize available heat. They will learn how to care for tomato plants through the growing season and about the benefits and challenges of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or hoop house. The workshop will include demonstrations and displays on planting and pruning tomato bushes, the use of season extenders and trellises and common tomato problems. In addition to the scheduled educational presentation, a team of Clallam County Master Gardeners will be available at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 17th to answer all gardening questions. Digging Deeper attendees are encouraged to bring samples of garden problems or pests for diagnosis by Master Gardeners who can recommend control measures. “Growing Tomatoes Well” is part of the Digging Deeper Saturdays educational series which is free and open to the public. This presentation will be held in-person, outdoors at the Master Gardener Woodcock Demonstration Garden. Presentations cover basic gardening topics relevant to many home gardeners and are scheduled for 90 minutes to allow for demonstrations and questions from viewers. Attendees are encouraged to check the Clallam County Master Gardener online calendar for updates about the location of the talk at https://extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar/. For more information about “Growing Tomatoes Well Here” or the Digging Deeper series call 360-565-2678.