where would you move for the best tomato-growing climate?

habitat_gardener · December 21, 2016

My partner has been grumbling about retiring and moving someplace where it's less congested than the SF Bay Area, and was wondering where the "best" tomato-growing climate is (I'm the tomato grower). Is there such a thing?

MissS · December 21, 2016

This is a great question and one that I have been pondering too. It is time for me to find a new home, but I suspect that I am already living in prime tomato growing country. This thread will help me to be sure...

Thanks for asking.

dmforcier · December 21, 2016

I hear Romania is pretty good. Not too hot; not too cold. Just right.

MissS · December 21, 2016

Uganda is supposed to be superb as well and perfect weather 24/7. Imagine tomatoes every day of the year...

pmcgrady · December 21, 2016

Hawaii would be Awsum.

Jimbotomateo · December 21, 2016

Fiji I've heard is like 1940s Hawaii. Seems like it would be tough to leave the Bay Area, one of my favorite places. Hear you on the congestion.

Labradors2 · December 21, 2016

Peru? The Galapagos Islands?

Linda

Gardeneer · December 21, 2016

I think San Diego area is pretty good place.
Not Canada or PNW.

Cole_Robbie · December 21, 2016

I wouldn't go anywhere, although I have seen some nice dark soil in fields in neighboring Indiana. Red Gold tomatoes are from there.

In late summer, tomato prices at auctions near me will fall to about ten cents a pound. Tomatoes are so common that they are nearly worthless.

Worth1 · December 21, 2016

Fort Davis or Alpine Texas, no brainer for me.
Fort Davis.
Population 1,201.
Elevation 4,892.
Cool summer nights beautiful country.
Alpine.
Population 6,054 collage town.
Elevation 4,475.
Cool summer nights beautiful country.
Both towns loaded with beautiful country Texas women and down home friendly folks.
Both Big Bend country.

Worth

dmforcier · December 21, 2016

Love the Big Bend and far west Texas. But you better have water rights with the land if you intend to grow tomatoes.

Now, Romania has migrants out the wazoo that would make good agricultural labor. And surface water!

bower · December 21, 2016

I think Cole Robbie has bragging rights for the best tomato climate.
If you move there, you can grow "worthless" tomatoes!

Up here they are $5 a lb, use a greenhouse and make what you can, they may still be 'worthless',

if you pay yourself more than 5 cents an hour.

Are you seriously thinking of moving somewhere that has a winter.

Nah.... of course not!!!!

Ricky Shaw · December 21, 2016

The Indiana, Ohio, Michigan region produces the 2nd most processing tomatoes after California. Seems logical, that since these are invariably grown in the field for the cost savings they'd want to grow these tomatoes in the most hospitable of climates and conditions. Notwithstanding, cost considerations of labor, transportation, and land use.

I'm too old to move, and tomatoes grow okay here anyway, but southern Wisconsin or Michigan would be attractive.

rxkeith · December 21, 2016

lower michigan is a good climate. late may to early november most of the time is frost free. summer temps can hit 90s, but nothing like the 100 days of triple digits that some parts of the southwest can get to. they also grow a bunch of tomatoes in southern ontario. leamington area.

keith

AlittleSalt · December 21, 2016

I wouldn't move from where I'm at. I'll just learn how to grow them better.

December 21, 2016	#1
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,540	where would you move for the best tomato-growing climate? My partner has been grumbling about retiring and moving someplace where it's less congested than the SF Bay Area, and was wondering where the "best" tomato-growing climate is (I'm the tomato grower). Is there such a thing?

December 21, 2016	#2
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	This is a great question and one that I have been pondering too. It is time for me to find a new home, but I suspect that I am already living in prime tomato growing country. This thread will help me to be sure... Thanks for asking. __________________ ~ Patti ~

December 21, 2016	#3
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	I hear Romania is pretty good. Not too hot; not too cold. Just right. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

December 21, 2016	#4
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	Uganda is supposed to be superb as well and perfect weather 24/7. Imagine tomatoes every day of the year... __________________ ~ Patti ~

December 21, 2016	#8
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,914	I think San Diego area is pretty good place. Not Canada or PNW. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening ! Last edited by Gardeneer; December 21, 2016 at 06:49 PM.

December 21, 2016	#5
pmcgrady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 1,836	Hawaii would be Awsum.

December 21, 2016	#6
Jimbotomateo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Santa Maria California Posts: 1,006	Fiji I've heard is like 1940s Hawaii. Seems like it would be tough to leave the Bay Area, one of my favorite places. Hear you on the congestion.

December 21, 2016	#7
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,888	Peru? The Galapagos Islands? Linda

December 21, 2016	#9
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I wouldn't go anywhere, although I have seen some nice dark soil in fields in neighboring Indiana. Red Gold tomatoes are from there. In late summer, tomato prices at auctions near me will fall to about ten cents a pound. Tomatoes are so common that they are nearly worthless.

December 21, 2016	#10
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Fort Davis or Alpine Texas, no brainer for me. Fort Davis. Population 1,201. Elevation 4,892. Cool summer nights beautiful country. Alpine. Population 6,054 collage town. Elevation 4,475. Cool summer nights beautiful country. Both towns loaded with beautiful country Texas women and down home friendly folks. Both Big Bend country. Worth

December 21, 2016	#12
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,793	I think Cole Robbie has bragging rights for the best tomato climate. If you move there, you can grow "worthless" tomatoes! Up here they are $5 a lb, use a greenhouse and make what you can, they may still be 'worthless', if you pay yourself more than 5 cents an hour. Are you seriously thinking of moving somewhere that has a winter. Nah.... of course not!!!!

December 21, 2016	#13
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	The Indiana, Ohio, Michigan region produces the 2nd most processing tomatoes after California. Seems logical, that since these are invariably grown in the field for the cost savings they'd want to grow these tomatoes in the most hospitable of climates and conditions. Notwithstanding, cost considerations of labor, transportation, and land use. I'm too old to move, and tomatoes grow okay here anyway, but southern Wisconsin or Michigan would be attractive.

December 21, 2016	#14
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,839	lower michigan is a good climate. late may to early november most of the time is frost free. summer temps can hit 90s, but nothing like the 100 days of triple digits that some parts of the southwest can get to. they also grow a bunch of tomatoes in southern ontario. leamington area. keith

December 21, 2016	#15
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I wouldn't move from where I'm at. I'll just learn how to grow them better.