Where are you in California?

Same question I was going to ask Trudi since I have many CA friends who grow tomatoes in CA and it really does depend on where you live and garden b'c there are so many ecosystems in that state.

And I'd also ask if the plants are to be grown inground or in containers with mainly artificial mix.

Carolyn

I live in Modesto. I grow both inground and in containers.

So about 100 miles East of San Franciso in northern CA and not near the coast. Good fertile soil or Delmonte wouldn't be there.

Summers dry and hot, winters cool and rainy.

If you lived nearer the coast you could have problems with the fog and what's called the June Glooms, in particular, which can lead to both types of Powdery Mildew which affects the foliage.

You have little problems with the common foliage diseases b'c it so dry most of the time.

The major problem would be some of the systemic diseases such as Fusarium, Verticillium , etc., and possibly Root Knot Nematodes.

Because the soilborne systemic diseases can be so different in different parts of CA I'm going to suggest that you call your local Cooperative Extension and ask them what specific soilborne diseases are likely to be encountered. And be sure to ask about Fusarium and what specific races, there are three, that can be found there. Also, be sure to ask about Root Knot Nematodes and also if there is any Bacterial Canker there or Late Blight ( P. infestans).

Modesto is a large city so there should be plenty of nurseries there that sell plants if you aren't going to raise your own plants from seed.

The timing of when you put out plants, either inground or in containers is also important, so ask about that. I would imagine that plants need to be set out as early as possible in the early Spring so that fruits can set before the high heat of summer.

High heat with sustained temps over about 90-95 F can destroy pollen leading to loss of pollen viability and blossom drop.

Some in your area might do two crops a year, a Spring Crop where you'd grow interdeterminate varieties and midseason varieties and a seond Fall crop where you'd grow short and mid season varieties.

You should be able to grow any varieties you want to. I know a few folks who live inland from San Francisco and they do and they would be to your East, not as far inland as you are.

Hope that helps.

Carolyn, who notes....ahem, very different from Massachusetts as well I know since I'm in upstate NY on the VT border and can be in Western, Mass in about 45 min.