Question
Mike,

Thanks for the advise last year about the small fruit. I too have raised beds 16'* 8' boxes and I also add all the fall clippings and leaves every year.
My Golden, CO garden was doing well this year, until the recent heat wave. I noticed last night that the flowers on some of the tomatoes (Beefy Boy,Rassleberry and Park's Whopper) were dropping off and not setting fruit. The plums are still doing great, but the hybrids are setting very little fruit? The pepper hybrids are all setting fruit and doing well but my big three tomatoes hybrids are starting to look like a bust! There are no bugs to be found the plants are green and healthy...... H'mmmm any idea why they are dropping their flowers? I was thinking it has to do with the 100+ degree days we have been having.

Thanks again,

Jim Fleming  

Answer
Jim, when tomatoes drop their blossoms, it is usually an indication of inconsistent watering, poor soil, or inadequate pollination.

In regard to your raised beds, I am assuming you filled the boxes with soil that is rich in organic matter.  You certainly are doing the right thing by adding shredded leaves in the fall and allowing them to decompose over the winter.  Making the assumption that the soil is fertile, I would rule out poor soil conditions.

I would also tend to rule out a lack of pollination since your plum tomatoes are bearing fruit.  Keep in mind, however, that some varieties are self-pollinating.  But once again, I do not believe this is the case since you stated that the peppers are also doing great.

That leaves inconsistent watering as the most probable cause.  Peppers require very little water once they bloom, so the only time they will drop blossoms is when they receive too much.  Tomatoes, however, need a constant and consistent amount of water.  Different varieties react differently to the conditions.  But based on the fact your temperatures are exceeding 100 degrees, I have to believe the plants are experiencing heat shock.  This condition will cause them to go in a semi-dormant state.  The result is very few blossoms and slow growth.

I would not worry too much as long as they look healthy.  Once the temperatures cool, they will recover just fine.  The optimum temperatures for tomates is between 75 and 90 degrees.  Heirlooms will still produce at higher temperatures, but hybrids lag behind.  Just continue to water to a depth between 1" and 2" per week, more during these hot spells, and the plants should begin producing within the next few weeks.  Also, mulch the plants to a depth of 2" with shredded leaves or straw to help retain moisture.

One last piece of advice is to avoid trying to correct the problem by fertilizing.  Fertilization during extreme hot periods will do more harm than good.  It can burn the roots and the foliage.  With your rich soil, it is not needed at this time.

By the way, I also order my seeds through Park's.  They have great products and excellent service.  As a matter of fact, I have grown all of the varieties you mentioned, and with good success.

Good luck, and write again if you need assistance.

Regards,

Mike