Popular tomato market returns to Marin

Aficionados of homegrown tomatoes all around the county look forward to April 20, when Marin Master Gardeners hosts their annual tomato market at Pini Ace Hardware in Novato and Bon Air in Greenbrae. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes are grown in the United States. While we won’t have all of them, there will be a wide variety of tomatoes best suited for our area and your individual microclimate. It starts at 9 a.m. at both locations and goes until we’re sold out.

Featured will be a variety of beefsteak, hybrid, heirloom and cherry tomatoes, some brand new to the market, with maturity running from 55 to 85 days. You’ll find tomatoes suitable for container gardening and cool coastal climates, plus disease-resistant varieties and heat-tolerant ones.

For both novice and experienced tomato growers, master gardeners will be on hand to answer all your questions and, most importantly, help you choose the tomatoes that best suit your microclimate. But for now, here are some tips on growing your best tomatoes.

The tomato market is in late April, but you might have to wait a few weeks to plant your tomatoes. It is best to wait until you are sure the danger of frost has passed, and nighttime temperatures are in the low to mid-50s before you plant. You can keep your plants in a protected place outdoors to harden them while you wait.

Make sure your soil is well prepared. In-ground and raised bed planting areas should be well-amended with nitrogen-bearing compounds such as compost. If you like to plant in containers, replace last year’s soil with a reputable, well-draining potting soil, washing the containers first with soap and water or a bleach or alcohol solution.

Plant the tomatoes in your sunniest location, protected from strong winds. Tomatoes require at least six hours of sunshine daily. More sun, more tomatoes! Place your plants in the soil up to the lowest leaves on the main stem, handling them carefully. This will bury all the tiny hairs on the stem, eventually becoming roots.

Water your new tomato plants frequently, not allowing them to dry out. When the fruit starts to set (little tomatoes showing up under the withering flowers), slow down on the watering, but do not allow the soil to dry out below about 3 inches. Don’t let the leaves of your tomato get wet — use drip irrigation if possible.

Support and prune your tomato plants to allow light and air to enter the interior. This should increase fruit yield and help prevent disease.

You can use your favorite organic tomato or vegetable fertilizer, but wait until the flowering and fruit set are well underway. As always, follow the instructions on the product carefully.

You will know when a tomato is ready when there is a slight give when you gently squeeze it. A ripe tomato will come off the stem easily. Allowing the fruit to ripen on the vine will give you the best flavor. Store your tomatoes in a cool spot, but not in the refrigerator, since cold temperatures can adversely affect the flavor.

The UC Marin Master Gardeners’ tomato market is our major fundraiser of the year. The proceeds go to supporting educational programs at schools and community gardens, as well as public seminars and other educational opportunities throughout Marin. I hope to see you there! Find out more about the upcoming tomato market, our organization and just about anything else you might want to know about tomatoes at marinmg.ucanr.edu.

Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provides science- and research-based information for Marin home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Please call 415-473-4910 to see when a master gardener will be at the office or drop off samples 24/7 in the sample box outside the office. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, a free quarterly e-newsletter, go to marinmg.ucanr.edu.