Tomatoes taste bad

My wife planted fall tomatoes here in Phoenix. They look good. We ripened them inside because they weren't ripening with the colder winter temperatures. They just taste bad. They were bland and not sweet at all. They don't remind us anything of the juicy ripe tomatoes we used to eat in Iowa. The plants were BetterBoys and Romas that we bought at Home Depot.

We are new at tomatoes. Did we do something wrong????

Suggestions??? Thoughts??

I would guess that the cooler temperatures failed to bring out all those "good juices" that desire warm/hot weather.

Even though they were slow ripening, I think they should have been left on the plants longer.

Just harvested and cut a black prince (I think) last night that has been trying to ripen since before Christmas - it was perfect. there is one more that is finally showing some color. I felt it this morning - shold be perfect for Monday's supper.

These plants were from cuttings of last springs garden, where the bugs got almost every tomato, so flavor was poor. Kept hem on the porch and covered during the 2 freeze nights.

Dwr857, my last few tomatoes weren't very tasty either. I do think it's the temperatures--we've been awfully cool for tomatoes this winter. I would try them again with new plants in the spring. If you're determined to do fall tomatoes, I would (on the advice of Carolyn, our resident tomato expert) stick with early varieties, so they have a chance to do some good ripening before it gets cold.

You might also think about posting this over on the tomato forum--the folks over there might have some additional tips.

Good luck!

dwr857, this worked well for my daughter in Mesa and for us here in tonto Basin (consistently about 8 degrees cooler than the valley).

I planted an early variety outside about June 15th (Fourth of July in Mesa and Tommy Toe here). By September 15th the plants were well developed and robust with gobs of little yellow flowers. Of course, summer temps are so hot no fruit set. However, as temps moderated, suddenly the plants set a bunch, and from late-October on there were gobs of delicious tomatoes. Our daughter is still getting fruit in Mesa.

Frank

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Frank- did you pick up those plants at Home Depot or something??? I would just be worried about getting those plants through the hot summer temperatures. Did you have afternoon sun???

I'm talking about building a trellis type structure to hang some upside down tomatoes. This would be against a west wall. It would only get morning and day sun and pure shade in the afternoons.... Our regular garden (new) is full sun.

I started the plants from seed, It's easy (lots of great how-to on the Tomatoes forum). HD and other outlets may not have plants at that time of year. It's important to use an early bearing variey. The plant files here in Dave's Garden is a great source of info on varieties. Seed about May 1st, transplant to growing pot about May 15th, acclimate Jun 1st, in the gound Jun 15th. The plants thrived in the heat as long as we watered just enough to keep the soil damp. Regular attention is needed! I think my daughter in Mesa rigged a shade thing for July and August.

I'd position the plants to have unobstructed southern exposure all day so they get as much fall/ winter sunlight as possible. The native soil in the valley is pretty sandy and water flows away quickly, so spagnum moss or something similar mixed in the soil helps retain moisture. Mulching is necessary.

We got good tomatoes from outside plants until 12/15, when frost did them in. The tomatoes we're getting now from a hot frame are unpredictable as to quality. Some are good, some are tasteless. A cold weather thing..

Frank

Thanks Frank for the info. I'll hit the tomatoes forum and definitely look for the early varieties.