Over the Fence (Alameda County)

When the temperature starts to dip from the high 90s, and you are still picking ripe tomatoes and zucchini nearly every day, fall and winter gardens don't immediately come to mind. Although it may not feel like it, this is the time to be thinking ahead and planning for the next seasons.

The excessive heat days we have experienced in Northern California in 2024 may have caused us to look at our landscape trees and shrubs and notice that some are not looking so good.

Tomatoes are one of our most popular and best-loved garden plants, but they do have their issues, which vary depending on variety, climate, soil, time of the season and your overall garden environment. Problems may happen despite the best care you can give them.

Tomatoes are one of our most popular and best-loved garden plants, but they do have their needs. Because a tomato crop can be so deliciously rewarding, many of us are happy to devote extra energy to manage this wonderful crop. It's warm, and your tomatoes are growing, starting to flower and fruit.

(Editor Note: This blog first appeared in August, 2021 - it has been slightly modified for our current heat wave in July 2024) This current July heat wave may have stressed your irrigation effectiveness and made you question your landscape plant selection.