Will Tomatoes Grow Twice in a Season?

Planting to Extend the Season for a Second Crop

• Start seeds early indoors or by transplants as soon as the weather warms in the spring, as soon after the frost free date as possible. Cover plants overnight if there's any danger of frost. Early planting allows time for a second crop. Additionally, early-maturing varieties produce fruit two to three weeks earlier than other cultivars and allow for a longer season.

Care During the Heat of Summer

• Once the last fruit is harvested in midsummer, gardeners often allow the tomato plants to die back. Instead, shelter the plants from the summer heat and continue to give at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water weekly. Mulching helps conserve moisture and keeps the soil cool in mid-summer. Once the temperatures cool again in the fall, the plant will begin to put out new flowers and a second crop follows.

Why Tomatoes Stop Producing Midsummer

• Once temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, tomato flowers do not set and fruit production stops. At this point, flowers fall from the plant unfertilized. Sometimes, the use of a tomatoes setting hormone is effective. Sheltering the plants during the hottest part of the day with a shade cloth also helps extend the season.

Tomatoes as Perennials

• Tomatoes are commonly grown as annuals in the home garden, but the plants are actually a warm-season perennial. If protected through the winter months, the plant can grow and produce fruit for many years. In most areas, spring and fall freezes limit the tomato season to one crop each year. With ample cold-weather care, the season can be extended in cooler climates and a second crop produced in warm climates.