It started 2008, when the economy turned sour. Some south Denver constituents I served as city councilman started gardens and asked for help. An avid gardener, I planted a few hundred more tomato seeds than normal, started a “Tomato Stimulus Program” and offered each of them three free plants.
I grew the plants in my office and the basement of our home; shared them at community meetings and scheduled two days in early May when folks could drop by my council office to select plants.
Each year, the demand grew. Constituents started calling in March wanting to know when they could pick up “their” plants. I doubled the number of free plants to six and called it what it was: the “Tomato Plant Entitlement Program.”
During my final seven years on council more than 5,000 plants were distributed. The good news: I purchased all seeds and soils, no taxpayer money was used in the project.
At a holiday party last year, a young woman told me she was now into gardening. “You started it with those free tomato plants and your tip sheet on how to grow them. I love gardening and will always be grateful,” she said.
After more than 30 years of gardening here — and winning ribbons at the Denver County Fair — here are some tips on the joys and challenges of growing tomatoes along Colorado’s Front Range.
Tomatoes worship the sun
Tomatoes are tropical. Without six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day, they get tall and don’t produce well. If you don’t have a sunny spot in your yard, don’t fight Mother Nature or you will end up like the Broncos last year with a disappointing season.
Selecting plants
Do some research on varieties. Choose a sturdy green 6- to 10-inch plant. Check the leaves for possible insect infestation. Avoid large plants that are already flowering, and tall, leggy plants.
Transitioning the plant
Once the plants are purchased, it’s tempting to immediately put them in the ground. Don’t. The young plants need to be gradually transitioned. Leave them in the containers outside for a week or so during the day for five or six hours. This will “harden off” the plants and give them an opportunity to acclimate.
Black plastic is the new green
If you have a small garden spot that tends to be dry, you may want to consider using a cover of 4-mil black (or red) polyethylene film stretched tightly over the soil. Studies from Clemson University and others show film warms the soil and increases both the early and total yields of tomatoes. I’ve found that it also helps with weed control and reduces water loss through evaporation.
Transplanting the starts
Front Range tradition calls for outside planting around Mother’s Day (May 13 this year), or after the danger of frost has passed. Thatap a hit-and-miss date. Always check the seven-day weather forecast and be sure soil temperatures are warm. Nighttime temperatures are critical; when they’re dropping below 50 degrees, conditions are not favorable for planting.
Dig deep, plant deep
Have the soil ready before transplanting. Dig 12-inch holes for each plant a week in advance to let that poor man’s oven warm the newly exposed cool soil. Place holes at least 3-feet apart for better air circulation and yield.
Conditions for transplanting are best soon after a rain, when it’s cloudy or late in the afternoon. I recommend using an organic starter food (there are plenty from which to choose). Following label instructions, place tomato food in hole and mix it with organic soil and a little water. (Gardeners have different opinions on whatap best to put in “the hole.” My uncle in North Carolina used fish heads, which worked wonders. Over the years, you will develop your own recipe.)
Lift your plants carefully by the upper leaves, not the stem, saving all the roots. Remove lower leaves and gently place plant into the hole. Water lightly. Firm soil around the roots, put dry soil over moist soil and lightly pack to prevent air pockets. Water at top to settle soil.
Using a plant marker, identify the variety with date and place next to the plant.
Some plants can exceed 8 feet and will need support from stakes or cages.
After initial watering, don’t water for a week so that roots have to search for water and root growth is encouraged.
Keep plants slightly moist but not soggy. Water at the base of the plant to avoid water on the leaves. Plants love soaker hoses.
Planting fashion-model-like (leggy) plants
My grandfather taught me that the best way to overcome tall and leggy plants is to plant them horizontally in a shallow (2- to 3-inch) furrow with only two to three sets of leaves showing above the ground. Pinch off the lower leaves before planting. The white lumps along the leggy stem are roots beginning to form and they will help anchor the plant.
Colorado’s short growing season
We can enjoy home-grown tomatoes for a short three months — more or less. Observe your plants; remove side-shoots from each leaf joint and yellow leaves from the bottom. Use a garden diary to record plantap progress. This will make plant selection easier the following season.
For best flavor, pick fully ripe and don’t store in the refrigerator.
A few of my favorite varieties
Here are my top picks after three decades of gardening in Colorado
SUPER SWEET 100 HYBRID: 55 days.You’ll pick buckets of these tasty cherry treats with a delicious balance of sweetness with full red-tomato flavor. Eat them right out of the garden like popcorn.
BLACK KRIM: 80 Days. Heirloom. From the Russian Black Sea area. (There is no evidence to prove Russians interfered with this recommendation.) The vines are tall with fruit that has a unique dark purple/black skins.
CELEBRITY HYBRID: 60 days. The All-American Selection Award winner three decades ago, it remains one of the best all-purpose varieties available. A high-yield producer, medium-sized, with round red fruit and disease-resistant. This was one of my grandfather’s favorites that he grew on his farm outside of Durham, N.C.
CHEROKEE PURPLE: 80 days. Heirloom. A fruit from the American past. Tall 5’ -6’ plant that produces giant beefsteaks weighing about a pound. A legacy plant believed to have originated more than a century ago in the Cherokee nation in Tennessee. Great color and flavor.
SWEET PERSIMMONS: 80 DAYS. Heirloom. Hard to believe but this tomato was first grown by Thomas Jefferson in 1781. Itap a big, meaty, globe-shaped fruit that ripens to a glowing orange.
Other faves include Yellow Pear, Brandywine, Early Girl, Chianti Rose and Sun Gold. I could go on! Next year, start your own seeds and experience the many choices of growing you own.
Charlie Brown served 14½ years on the Denver City Council before being term-limited in 2015. Last summer he had 76 tomato plants and 16 different varieties as well as a variety of other crops in his Observatory Park garden.
