The Twilight of Tomato Season

The Twilight of Tomato Season

October begins… tomato season ends.   This is the phenomenon we experience in Southeastern Wisconsin every autumn.    Occasionally we receive temps in the mid-thirties during late September, which brings the tomato growing season to an abrupt conclusion.  This year some tomatoes are still actively growing during warm autumn days and ripening on the vine; sadly, we are in the twilight of our tomato season.

A common complaint this season was the shortage of warm nights which encourage tomatoes, peppers and other veggies to mature faster with warm temperatures.  Although some performers were “ripe and ready” in August, many varieties were not ready until September—but they were worth waiting for!

Tomatoes  (Solanum  lycopersicum )  are available in a kaleidoscope of colors, especially some of the heirloom varieties.  You may encounter tomatoes with tissue and skin in shades of purple, orange, yellow and numerous shades of RED.  Each tomato fruit offers a variation in taste, color, and texture and can be used in your culinary creations, in sauces and salads.  (Shown here are two varieties from our home garden:  Beefmaster and Orange Oxheart.  When diced and seeded, they make an attractive addition to your favorite salsa recipe.)

Of course, each passing day brings us one day closer to a killing frost… but for now, I want to bask in the warm temperatures of the day, along with my tomatoes!  

M. Lynn Schmid,   Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture