Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
Q. The two cherry tomato plants I was given to grow in pots on my patio are producing far more fruits than I can use. Can you suggest any quick and easy ways of using this abundance?
Article content
A. I use them in large quantities by placing washed, halved fruits in a broad, shallow roasting pan topped with chopped onion, minced garlic and basil, drizzled with olive oil and roasted at 325 F until the mixture no longer runs with juice. I stir a few times during the roasting, and freeze the resulting product in small containers to use in winter on cheese-topped crackers.
In northern Italy, halved cherry tomatoes are added to hot cooked pasta.
Q. Some of my staked tomatoes have developed golden yellow areas at the top, stem ends. Are there ways of preventing these golden, hardened areas on the fruits?
A. This condition, called sunscald, is caused by direct, hot sun on the fruit. Affected tomatoes remain useable, with the discoloured parts cut away.
Article content
Though this differs among tomato varieties, most plants develop a leaf canopy adequate to shield the tomato tops from direct sun. The problem is that some plants react to hot sun by shrinking back somewhat, leaving more of the fruits exposed.
We can expect future summers to be hot. To address your issue, first look to the soil. To create soil conditions that will help to produce the most robust, heat-resistant plants, make sure the soil is well supplied with organic matter such as a nourishing compost. Coconut fibre (coir) enhances moisture retention and acts as a buffer against temperature extremes.
Plant tomatoes with the roots straight down, instead of on a slant as we used to do when summers were cooler. As temperatures begin to rise, mulch the plants with compost topped by chopped leaves or/and chopped straw to deflect heat and boost soil moisture retention.
Finally, have on hand some shading material such as purchased shade cloth to arrange over the plants’ supports in periods of high heat.
Recommended from Editorial
-
Winter daphne shrub needs the right site, well-drained soil
-
Fabulous figs a great addition to an array of dishes
Share this article in your social network