Above 5,000 feet, where the night temperatures are so cool, tomatoes take a little more coddling.
Here are some quick tips I can pass on from 7,000 feet up:
1. Early birds. First of all, if you are trying to start from seed, you should have started at the end of March. So given that we can’t turn the calendar back, be sure to get healthy plants from a garden center.
2. Short and sweet. There are hundreds of varieties, some specifically are labeled for short seasons, or come with a name that includes a place that just sounds cold, like “Siberian” or “Russian” – also Early Girl, Stupice, and, of course, all the cherry varieties.
3. Sun and more sun. Find a sunny spot. Tomato plants need a minimum of eight hours of sun.
4. Transplant Rx. Treat transplants with liquid kelp to reduce transplant shock.
5. Get them started. Remove existing flowers or fruit to promote root growth
6. Warm and cozy. Use Wall O’ Waters through June, then keep the plants warm at night, either by covering with cloth (not plastic) or putting the pots up on wheels and moving them close to the house.
7. Fertilize. About four weeks after transplant, use good organic fertilizer with plenty of phosphates. I like liquid fish emulsion best; use every other week.
Editor’s note: Tina Kellogg of Kittredge is now teaching a course in high-altitude vegetable gardening and growing through the season in her own garden. Go to GivenTrees.com or call 303-679-9921
