Fall Tomatoes and question on Eggplants.

I live in the Houston TX area and had great luck growing tomatoes even though it has been hotter than Hades here! My first question is can I plant a successful fall crop of tomatoes in this area. If so what do you recommend, as I've tried in the past to grow a fall crop and haven't been too lucky.

Second question is I have gorgeous eggplant growing and have already picked three. There are tons of flowers on the plants but it sure seems like the eggplant is slow in coming. Is there anything I need to do to yield more of this vegetable besides pretty flowers ;-)

Thanks, Marie

You should be able to grow a fall crop of tomatoes in your are, weather permitting. According to the US drought monitor, you all are suffering the same type of weather that we are.

Eggplant depends somewhat on variety. Mine (Fond May, Orient Express and Nubia) are still setting despite triple digit temps) Edna quit when the temps rose. As the temps cool I expect the reluctant ones to start again.

According to my plant out thing you could be putting starter plants in ground for a fall crop any time now. You may need to shade them and provide extra water during this excessive heat but you definitely have enough time.

When my eggplant won't set fruit I hand pollinated them with a make up brush in the morning before it hits 90*. It always works it's the only way I get fruit at this time of year. What varieties are you growing?

Skidgee,
I live in Houston, and am planning my fall/winter garden, as we speak.

Yes, like Farmerdill and 1lisac said, you can have a fall tomato crop -- but the window is VERY, VERY, VERY narrow.

I grew a wonderful crop of beefsteak indeterminates this past season. In order to do my fall garden, I have taken cuttings from the (relatively) healthiest of my remaining plants, and rooted them in some potting mix. I started rooting them about 2 weeks ago in a bucket of water with some Epsom Salts and enough Miracle Grow water soluable fertilizer to not even color the water at all (bad experience with over-fertilizing earlier this year....). Once they sprouted roots, I potted them into tall, 2-liter coke bottles in some MG potting mix with a sprinkle of Dolomitic lime, and a sprinkle of Epsom Salts (I just love it, ok?) mixed in.
I watered them in well, and sat them outside in an area that gets bright shade all day (but, no burning sunlight).

My intention was to pot them out into the eBuckets (I'm still in containers, for now...) the 15th of August. Most of my long-season plants average 90-120 DTM, so my calculation at the low of 90 days says I need to get them growing by August 15th or so to hedge my bets for having some tomatoes on the Thanksgiving table (or before the 1st frost), whichever comes first!

Hope this helps. LMK if you need help with your fall/winter planning.

I've set up my light stand, and will begin sowing seeds this weekend for cabbages, cauliflower, and broccoli. My target plant out date for these (again, in the eBuckets) is between October 1-15, and beyond.

Here's a pic of some of last winter's cabbages. I call this shot, "My Three Sisters!"

Linda ^^_^^

P.S. Welcome to the Houston group! There's a number of us here who kinda hang together, so call on us if you need to. But, if Farmerdill or 1lisac answer before we do, LISTEN TO THEM!

P.S.S. Yes, your eggplants could most likely revive themselves as soon as the weather starts to cool off. Just keep them happy for now. Have you fed them at all? They are voracious feeders, as well as being water hogs! Scratch in a little MG Plant food for vegetables around the base, and water it in.

And, give us a follow-up, ok? And a few pics, too. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, pics!


This message was edited Jul 26, 2011 9:18 AM

Definately listen to Farmerdill, just read my posts, I dont have near the knowledge that Farmerdill does but maybe some day....: )

So will the tomaoto plants i have that stoped producing when it got so hot resume producing
when it gets cooler? were keeping them alive with shade and lots of water for now.





This message was edited Aug 11, 2011 8:50 AM

Easybake,
Yep, that's the ticket! I actually cut off suckers (the little tips that start growing in the crotch or "v" of a branch and the stem) and rooted them in water. Once they were rooted, I planted them up to the first set of leaves below the growing tip, in tall 2-liter coke bottles. They are growing in the shade. I set the bottles in a drip tray of water, which they can wick up during these scorching days! So far, they've gotten tall and lanky, but the roots have filled the bottles already.

I'm thinking it's almost time to plant them deep again (up to those growing tips again!) in their 10-15 gallon containers, and let them go! I thought I would wait until the middle of September, but, they're doing so well now, even in this heat, that I might go ahead this weekend, keeping them comfortably shaded for the time being. Then, I'll gradually move them closer to the sunshine, like hardening them off.

Keep posting your progress here, please, so we can compare notes. And, please, post some pictures. I'll take some of my cuttings so you can see them. I'll post tomorrow.

Godspeed, and Good Harvest!

Linda

Easybake-Yes, definatly, if you keep your plants going they will start producing when/if the temps go down. Some say that fall tomatoes dont taste as good but I haven't found that to be true.

My Stupice plant is setting fruit, even in this heat. This is the first summer that I have gone a week without any ripe fruit.

I have no planting deep options just the pots they are in currently.