Fall Garden Tomatoes | Why I Leave Some Tomato Plants in the Garden After Summer

It's mid October in my garden and I have some tomato plants that are still going strong! The heat stress, pests, and diseases have passed and the tomato plants have made a huge rebound. In this video, I show you one of my favorite tomato varieties that's small in size but BIG on flavor and it's still producing right next to my cool season fall crops. Consider leaving one or two tomato plants in the garden until your first frost and see what happens.
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[@thecyclingcouple4438]

Oct 19 in Toronto and I just harvested my 2nd last tomatoes. Im glad i kept and took care of them. They still have tons of fruits.

[@amynelsongreen3243]

Yes I have a Sungold that looks great right now, so it stays. A few others are still putting out some nice fruits. Others that don’t look so good are going. It’s simultaneously hard/sad and a relief as each one goes. Time for quieting down a bit.

[@joelampl6003]

Yes, Amy! I know EXACTLY what you mean! You hate to see them go, but at the same time, it's a relief as well. Quieting down is good for the mind and body, and gives us that time to get excited for the spring season again. I love that gap in between the seasons for that reason!

[@sharondwhite47]

I’ve noticed the tomato plants that did well in the summer aren’t doing so well now and visa versa. Ones that sat there doing nothing in spring and summer now have nice tomatoes one the vines. Second year to garden and this was a great revelation to me. I’m glad you confirmed it Joe. Thanks.

[@joelampl6003]

You bet, Sharon. Every year is another season of learning! I love that so much about gardening.👍

[@RepsychoedArtist]

Agree. I've had success with tomato and peppers this way. I cover them at night using old bed sheets when freeze or frosts are pending. Then, remove the sheets in the morning. Zone 6 gardening

[@joelampl6003]

good plan! Keeping that frost off is everything!

[@helenmcclellan452]

Never heard of that tiny indeterminant tomato plant, but I still have one sungold and one early treat tomato growing. I would love to see a tour of your fall garden to see what else I should be growing. Thanks for sharing!

[@joelampl6003]

Thanks, Helen. I will do a fall tour of the garden this week and get it up here on this channel in the next few days. If you're on Instagram, I've posted some quick walkthroughs of my fall garden recently but no talking. So this time, I'll give more detail. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Earthy-Artist]

My tomatoes are still growing/producing with not as much production as during the summer of course. I still get enough for salads every couple of days. I always leave them in place in fall to see what I can get out of them. Once the 1st frost hits I remove them. Growing 'Sunrise Bumble Bee Cherry Tomatoes', 'White Currant Tomatoes', & 'Spoon Tomatoes' zone 7 Northern NJ.

[@joelampl6003]

Wow, that's quite a great selection of tomatoes still going strong but at a manageable pace. We got our first frost this morning. I haven't seen how this one plant did yet, but I'm sure its days are numbered now.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

We always leave them in as long as possible. Our first average frost is September 20, and so far we are being blessed with an extended Summer-no frost, yet. 🌱 Thanks for all of your great videos!

[@joelampl6003]

Thank you! And lucky you that you are still able to be enjoying your extended summer this late in the year! 👍

[@barefootgardens22]

I left some. I have a ton of green tomatoes still. I'm where it's cold and they're dying off, but my parents told me that my grandpa used to leave most his plants over winter cos it helped the soil for next year. So I'm going to do that and see how next year goes!

[@joelampl6003]

I like Grandpa's advice! They are so wise! But he is right. A lot of nutrients in those roots give back to the soil as they break down. Thanks for your comment, Christina.

[@cogasawara1]

I’ve been growing Mexico Midgets from Craig LeHoullier for many years now. They come back by themselves from all the dropped tomatoes. Imagine my surprise to see Yellow Mexico Midgets in one part of my garden this year! I’m sending some to Craig! So much fun!

[@joelampl6003]

Yellow? Wow, that would be very fun to have those also! Craig will like those. Do you know what was planted next to them that was yellow?

[@joelampl6003]

@@cogasawara1 Ah, that makes sense. I have that variety as well. Thanks for the offer!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Thank you.

[@loriandrew6690]

I left mine in and have lots of fruit on the plants.

[@Big-Char.]

Still got tomatoes on the vines They're not pretty but I'm still getting a few but will yank them at the first frost.

[@joelampl6003]

I'd take that! At this late date, an ugly tomato is better than no tomato! Glad you're still getting a few, Charles!

[@Big-Char.]

@@joelampl6003 thanks Joe.Hope to see more of your videos.I aways look forward to them.

[@uhoh1313]

Any suggestions for a mega-heat tolerant tomato?The screened north patio garden got to 120° (Arizona, or as I call it Arid Zone-A 🌵🤣) which is 3° COOLER than last year! My tomatoes are "Stewed on the vine!" I almost pulled my tomato plants last week, but now that it's cooler, the plant is getting a second megabloom. I hung black sheets on the back wall to gather the heat, and has made a difference on the cool nights. Thank you, Joe! We miss you on our PBS station, but we continue to help grow a Greener world 💚🌎 . When in doubt... WWJLD?❤

[@joelampl6003]

Haha! Love it! But, wow - 120 degrees?!. I don't have a variety for that kind of heat. Have you checked with ASU extension yet about heat-tolerant varieties for your area? Or, not sure this would make that much difference, but in talking with other gardeners in your area, they were suspending shade clothe over their tomato plants and finding about 5 -10 degrees of temp relief, which was helping! But the main thing for you is that you left them in the ground to rebound and now you're getting that second reward! Well done and I hope you find some varieties that can take the heat. I have my doubts that it's going to get any better!

[@uhoh1313]

@@joelampl6003 Thank you, Joe! I hadn't thought of ASU! They are way hotter!🌵 You inspire us!😃

[@joelampl6003]

@@uhoh1313 My pleasure! We're all trying to figure this new reality out together! 👍

[@uhoh1313]

@@joelampl6003 for my shade cloth I go to thrift stores & find white lacey curtains & tablecloths to suspend from the rafters of the patio garden (we have a clear polycarbonate roof with reinforced screens surrounding the patio. It's actually a "catio garden" for our kitty Yoji. He has a bumper crop of catnip, too!😻) It looks pretty, plus the white helps deflect the summer rays! What if humans created a false ice age to cool the planet? Paint dark surfaces like roofs, parking lots & roads white across the world? 🌎 🤔 Just a ponder from out yonder...💚🌵 Keep up the great education, Joe! You're a wonderful teacher ❤

[@RichardLeslieWhereat]

Alright, I'll leave my tomatoes in the garden.

[@joelampl6003]

Good plan, Richard. As long as you have the room, you might as well.