Growing tomatos in the Phoenix winter weather (Hibiscus, leaf, freeze)

[once-upon-chicago]

I'm growing many tomato plants and the temps have been in the 50's up to the low 70's during the day and 30's - '40's at night. Seems like we've been a bit colder this year. I've been covering them up every night since the first light freeze we had (I lost several plants in that freeze) and they've looked good until just recently. The new growth has just started to look "mushy" like its been frozen (even though we haven't had any frozen nights recently) and there is some leaf curling. The newer growth has just gone limp. There's no signs of mold on the underneath of the leaf so I'm not sure its late blossom rot. Are they just getting tired of the weather? I've attached a picture. Is it just too cold for these guys?

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by once-upon-chicago

I'm growing many tomato plants and the temps have been in the 50's up to the low 70's during the day and 30's - '40's at night. Seems like we've been a bit colder this year. I've been covering them up every night since the first light freeze we had (I lost several plants in that freeze) and they've looked good until just recently. The new growth has just started to look "mushy" like its been frozen (even though we haven't had any frozen nights recently) and there is some leaf curling. The newer growth has just gone limp. There's no signs of mold on the underneath of the leaf so I'm not sure its late blossom rot. Are they just getting tired of the weather? I've attached a picture. Is it just too cold for these guys?

Your's look better than mine and I have been covering. We are in Casa Grande, and I think I got over-zealous...learning experience I guess...We will start a new crop in February, March when it starts to heat up during the day a little more. I just don't think it's warm enough for them the last few weeks or so, as the days have been getting cooler rather than warmer...

[once-upon-chicago]

Hi Grannysroot, I've been covering, too. Been told to give up the ghost but I refuse! I still cover every night & have even added christmas lights (non LED type). As long as they look like they can be saved I'm fighting for them. Won't hold up hope that I'll actually get anything from them now but I have some plants that look great in the middle of a few who might not make it. SO I'll keep on keeping on. There's also some pepper plants that are hiding underneath some of the other plants that look great, too.

[Grannysroost]

I wish you lots of luck I keep covering the herb pots, hibiscus and geraniums and they are doing fine, though my thyme and basil fizzeled out...thinking about planting some lettuce where my pepper plants were