Growing Tomatoes above 6000 Foot Elevations in Arizona

Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable item in the home garden. Only a half dozen plants will supply an average family’s needs. Throughout much of the country tomatoes are considered an easy crop to grow, but at the higher elevations of Arizona it becomes very difficult. Late spring frosts and low night time summer temperatures are the two major limiting factors. Tomatoes have to be planted early enough to ripen fruit by fall yet not too early or they will be killed by a late spring frost. This means that the familiar long-season varieties prove disappointing in Arizona at high elevations. The varieties that are successful are the small-fruited, quick-growing types (60-70 days); such as cherry, pear, and Siberian types.