Tomatoes are late this year

One of the most common questions I am asked at the farmers markets is "when will my tomatoes be ready" Although there are so many variables that go into the answer, my quick one is usually that my first cherry tomato typically is ripe by July 4th. This year it was not correct. If you are like me, it is torture to look at your beautiful unripe tomatoes on the plant and wish you could see even a hint of color.

While we do not know why they are so late this year, we know it is not only in Contra Costa County we are seeing this. Our clients in the Napa Valley who grow our plants typically have ripe fruit well before we do. Their tomatoes are not ready yet. The extreme heat we have faced over the past few weeks acts to "shut plants down", temperatures over 90 degrees can cause blossoms to drop as well.

So please be patient, when they come, they will be wonderful!